DOI:

10.37988/1811-153X_2026_1_52

Adhesion of oral microbiota to structural materials for manufacturing aligners

Downloads

Authors

  • S.I. Gazhva 1, Doctor of Science in Medicine, full professor of the Dentistry Department
    ORCID: 0000-0002-6121-7145
  • A.A. Filimonov 1, 3rd year postgraduate and assistant at the Dentistry Department
    ORCID: 0009-0004-1090-6786
  • Yu.L. Denisova 2, Doctor of Science in Medicine, Professor, Deputy Head of the Department for Educational and Methodological Work
    ORCID: 0000-0003-0917-7972
  • A.G. Manukyan 1, PhD candidate at the Dentistry Department
  • N.I. Ignatova 1, PhD in Biology, associate professor of the Epidemiology, microbiology, and evidence-based medicine Department
    ORCID: 0000-0002-4570-9342
  • D.A. Sergeev 1, 2nd year resident in the Dentistry Department
    ORCID: 0009-0003-6804-558X
  • A.Yu. Kartashov 1, 1st year postgraduate at the Dentistry Department
    ORCID: 0009-0004-5274-5351
  • 1 Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia
  • 2 Belarusian State Medical University, 220083, Minsk, Belarus

Abstract

With the growing demand for correction of individual tooth position anomalies, there is an active implementation of digital technologies and the development of new photopolymer materials for the production of aligners. This necessitates a systematic study of their structural characteristics. It is known that the creation of additional retention points in the oral cavity due to aligners contributes to the formation of a bacterial biofilm, the rate of formation of which depends, among other things, on the properties of the materials. The aim of the study was to study the adhesive activity of oral microbiota representatives to structural materials for aligners manufactured using various methods.
Materials and methods.
The 3D printing material Graphy Direct Aligner (South Korea) and thermoforming materials Zendura (USA), Biolon (Germany), and Duran (Germany) were studied. Eighteen identically sized samples of 10 mm in diameter (area 78.5 mm2) were fabricated from each of these materials. Cultures of C. albicans, C. kruzei, Str. pyogenes, S. aureus, and Str. salivarius were stained with gentian violet and incubated in the sample plate for 1, 3, and 6 hours. The optical density of the dye solution, eluted with alcohol from the cell walls of microbes adhered to the sample surface, was then measured. Samples without the addition of a microbial suspension, stained in the same manner, served as a control.
Results.
It was established that the listed microorganisms have different rates of adhesion to structural materials. In addition, species specificity of microorganisms is observed: S. aureus demonstrated universal adhesive activity, Candida spp. — a variable reaction, which must be taken into account when selecting a material.
Conclusion.
Species specificity of microorganisms was revealed, requiring an individual approach to the selection of material for the manufacture of aligners. The results of the study highlight the need for further study of the physicochemical characteristics of materials and their impact on the oral microbiota. Zendura is recommended for use in patients with an increased risk of inflammatory diseases, while the use of Graphy may be associated with a higher risk of microbial adhesion.

Key words:

aligners, microbial adhesion, structural materials, 3D printing, thermoforming

For Citation

[1]
Gazhva S.I., Filimonov A.A., Denisova Yu.L., Manukyan A.G., Ignatova N.I., Sergeev D.A., Kartashov A.Yu. Adhesion of oral microbiota to structural materials for manufacturing aligners. Clinical Dentistry (Russia).  2026; 29 (1): 52—56. DOI: 10.37988/1811-153X_2026_1_52

References

  1. Kunath B.J., De Rudder C., Laczny C.C., Letellier E., Wilmes P. The oral-gut microbiome axis in health and disease. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2024; 22 (12): 791—805. PMID: 39039286
  2. Santonocito S., Polizzi A. Oral microbiota changes during orthodontic treatment. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2022; 14 (3): 19. PMID: 36137992
  3. Sokhrokova D.M., Atabieva R.T., Sokhrokova N.M., Kharaeva Z.F. Adhesive characteristics of materials to bacterial microflora as the basis for a personalized approach in orthodontic treatment. In: proceedings of the “Caucasus-Micro” and “South-Micro” conferences. Nalchik, 2025. Pp. 42—44 (In Russian). eLIBRARY ID: 82845448
  4. Gazhva S.I., Yanysheva K.A., Abdullaev N.A. The adhesive activity of microorganisms to dental materials for 3D printing and vacuum forming. Medical and pharmaceutical journal Pulse. 2024; 10: 16—22 (In Russian). eLIBRARY ID: 75144944
  5. Rouzi M., Zhang X., Jiang Q., Long H., Lai W., Li X. Impact of clear aligners on oral health and oral microbiome during orthodontic treatment. Int Dent J. 2023; 73 (5): 603—611. PMID: 37105789
  6. Astvatsatryan L.E., Gazhva S.I. Modern aspects of the using 3D technologies in the manufacture of removable dentures. Modern Problems of Science and Education. 2017; 5: 194 (In Russian). eLIBRARY ID: 30457997
  7. Khalichi P., Cvitkovitch D.G., Santerre J.P. Effect of composite resin biodegradation products on oral streptococcal growth. Biomaterials. 2004; 25 (24): 5467—72. PMID: 15142727
  8. Di Nicolantonio S., Altamura S., Pietropaoli D., Monaco A., Ortu E. Orthodontic treatment and oral microbiota changes: a systematic review of oral dysbiosis revealed by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Angle Orthod. 2025; 96 (1): 114—124. PMID: 41015407
  9. Kreve S., Dos Reis A.C. Effect of surface properties of ceramic materials on bacterial adhesion: A systematic review. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2022; 34 (3): 461—472. PMID: 34213078
  10. Peterson B.W., Tjakkes G.H., Renkema A.M., Manton D.J., Ren Y. The oral microbiota and periodontal health in orthodontic patients. Periodontol 2000. 2024; 00: 1—19. PMID: 39031969

Downloads

Received

July 10, 2025

Accepted

March 10, 2026

Published on

March 31, 2026