biostudies-literatureUnknown16(11)Alexa VTClear aligners have gained popularity in orthodontics due to their aesthetics, comfort, and removability; however, their prolonged intraoral wear and frequent removal-reinsertion cycles create favorable conditions for microbial colonization. This in vitro study evaluated the efficacy of seven commercially available mouthwash formulations in inhibiting biofilms of <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, <i>Streptococcus oralis</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i> formed on four different clear aligner materials. Standardized aligner fragments were incubated for 24 h with microbial suspensions to allow biofilm formation, treated for 1 min with one of the mouthwashes, and then assessed for residual viability through spectrophotometric optical density measurements after a further 24 h incubation. Biofilm inhJournal of functional biomaterials424https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12653573biostudies-literatureIn Vitro Evaluation of Biofilm Formation by Oral Microorganisms on Clear Aligner Materials: Influence of Mouthwash Exposure.PMC12653573Galuscan AHulea AAlexa VTBolchis VBalean ODumitrescu RJumanca DObistioiu DCretescu IfalseIn Vitro Evaluation of Biofilm Formation by Oral Microorganisms on Clear Aligner Materials: Influence of Mouthwash Exposure.Clear aligners have gained popularity in orthodontics due to their aesthetics, comfort, and removability; however, their prolonged intraoral wear and frequent removal-reinsertion cycles create favorable conditions for microbial colonization. This in vitro study evaluated the efficacy of seven commercially available mouthwash formulations in inhibiting biofilms of <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, <i>Streptococcus oralis</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i> formed on four different clear aligner materials. Standardized aligner fragments were incubated for 24 h with microbial suspensions to allow biofilm formation, treated for 1 min with one of the mouthwashes, and then assessed for residual viability through spectrophotometric optical density measurements after a further 24 h incubation. Biofilm inh2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-05-20T03:15:03.94Z2026-05-20T03:12:56.19ZS-EPMC126535734129507910.3390/jfb16110424