Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Aloe Vera and glass ionomer modified by Aloe Vera on Streptococcus mutans in comparison to Chlorhexidine.
Methods: A total of fifty samples were used in the study and divided into 5 groups according to the materials used (n=10) Group 1:2% Chlorhexidine gluconate(CHX); Group 2: Aloe Vera (AV); Group 3: Glass ionomer (GI); Group 4: 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate added to glass ionomer (CHX+ GI) and Group 5: Aloe Vera added to glass ionomer (AV+GI) and. The antibacterial effect of each group were assessed by disc diffusion methods after two-time intervals: 24 and 48 hours. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the materials used on inhibition zone diameter after 24 and 48 hours. CHX showed the statistically significantly highest mean inhibition zone diameter followed by AV > CHX + GI > AV + GI. GI group showed the lowest mean inhibition zone diameter with a statistically significantly.
Conclusion: Aloe Vera is beneficial in the inhibition of Streptococcus mutans growth up to 48 hours. The incorporation of Aloe Vera in glass ionomers seems to improve the antibacterial activity of glass ionomer restoration.