Antibacterial Effectiveness of N-hexane Fraction Basil Leaves (Ocimum basilicum) against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 as Archwire Sterilization Compared to Chlorhexidine

Archwire is a fixed orthodontic component that can be reused between visits by the same patient, therefore archwire requires sterilization before being reinserted into the patient's oral cavity because the archwire is found to increase the number of Streptococcus mutans, which is considered the main cause of caries and periodontal disease. Basil leaves (Ocimumbasilicum) is an herbal plant that is proven to have antibacterial effectiveness against several types of bacteria. Objectives: Determining the antibacterial effectiveness of n-hexane fraction of basil leaves and chlorhexidine to Streptococcus mutans, and determining the difference in the decrease number of Streptococcus mutans colonies on sterilized Cu-NiTi archwire using basil leaves versus chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: Test the inhibition zones, MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations), MBC (Minimum Bactericid Concentration) for antibacterial effectiveness, and decreased number of bacterial colonies Streptococcus mutanson sterilized archwire using basil leaves and chlorhexidine. Results: The n-hexane fraction of basil leaves and chlorhexidine has a inhibition zones, MIC, and MBC. Decreased number of Streptococcus mutans colonies on sterilized Cu-NiTi archwire using the basil leaves with chlorhexidine showed insignificant results. Conclusions: The n-hexane fraction of basil leaves have antibacterial effectiveness against Streptococcus mutans. The n-hexane fraction of basil leaves has the same effectiveness as sterilization material with chlorhexidine.