| dc.description.abstract | Continuous use of removable orthodontic appliances may facilitate the accumulation of microbial biofilms such as Streptococcus mutans. Activated charcoal from palm oil shells has adsorption capacity and its use can reduce palm oil waste, which has so far been less effective in its use. This study aimed to determine the difference in the average number of Streptococcus mutans bacterial colonies on the acrylic base of removable orthodontic appliances after being soaked in artificial saliva contaminated with Streptococcus mutans and then brushed with placebo paste, Polident® paste, and activated charcoal paste from palm oil shells (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) concentrations of 10%, 12%, and 14%. This type of research is laboratory experimental research with a Post Test Only Control Group Design research design. The samples for this study were a square-shaped cold-cured acrylic base, totaling 25 samples and divided into 5 treatment groups. The number of bacterial colonies was calculated using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method and a colony counter tool. The results of the study show that the mean value of the number of colonies of Streptococcus mutans bacteria on the acrylic base of removable orthodontic appliances in the group that was brushed with placebo paste was 284.80 x103 ± 9.18 CFU/ml, the group that was brushed with Polident® paste was 2.00 x103 ± 1 .41 CFU/ml, the group brushed with activated charcoal paste of 10% concentration was 217, 20 x103 ± 10.35 CFU/ml, the group brushed with activated charcoal paste of 12% concentration was 156.20 x103 ± 6.61 CFU/ml ml, and the group that was brushed with activated charcoal paste with a concentration of 14%, namely 81.20 x103 ± 3.96 CFU/ml. The results of the General Linear Model test showed that there were significant differences in the mean number of bacteria in all treatment groups, which also indicated an influence on the number of Streptococcus mutans bacterial colonies. The results of the LSD post hoc test in the General Linear Model test showed significant differences on the number of Streptococcus mutans bacterial colonies between the two treatment groups in all groups. The profile plot results from the General Linear Model test showed that the placebo paste was at the highest level and decreased further as the concentration of activated charcoal paste increased and reached the lowest average level of bacterial count in the Polident® group. The conclusion of this research is that activated charcoal paste from oil palm shells (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) influences in reducing the number of Streptococcus mutans bacterial colonies on an acrylic base with 14% concentration of activated charcoal paste showing better results than other concentration pastes but has less effectiveness. lower than Polident® paste. | en_US |
