Effect of Build Orientation, Layer Thickness, and Support Structures on Surface Roughness and Candida Adherence of 3D-printed Flexible Denture Resin: An In Vitro Study

IntroductIonThree-dimensional (3D) printing, particularly both stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), has revolutionized prosthodontic manufacturing processes, providing greater control over material architecture and enabling the fabrication of complex geometries. 1-3Among the emerging materials in removable prosthodontics are new flexible denture resins, which are valued for their adaptability with undercut-rich or resorbed alveolar ridges. 4espite these advantages, one critical parameter influencing clinical success is surface morphology and surface integrity. 5urface morphologies with rougher texture have provided a more favorable environment for microbial adherence, particularly for opportunistic pathogens, which are heavily implicated in denture-associated infections. 6 -8 Dentures prescribed in the oral cavity have created a potential for an opportunistic infection such as Candida albicans (C.albicans), as an increase in food debris accumulation and plaque formation contributed. 7,9,10C. albicans is frequently implicated in denture stomatitis due to its capacity to adhere to and colonize acrylicbased denture materials, especially those with irregular surfaces. 7,9Other factors, including material porosity, chemical profile, and, notably, surface topology, have an influence on how organisms interact with denture materials.