Departamento de Estomatología

Delphi assessment of occupational hazards in Spanish dentists

2026-04-13T07:35:49Z

Delphi assessment of occupational hazards in Spanish dentists Anaya-Aguilar, Carmen; Rosel, Eva; Rodríguez Archilla, Alberto; Anaya-Aguilar, Rosa; Bravo Pérez, Manuel; Martínez-Beneyto, Yolanda Despite technological advancements in dentistry, professionals remain exposed to numerous occupational hazards that compromise their health and well-being. These include chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals, aerosols, ionizing radiation, excessive noise, and significant ergonomic and psychosocial stressors. A review of current scientific literature reveals persistent challenges for dental professionals, such as daily contact with harmful substances, invasive procedures, contaminated aerosols, radiation, noise, and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal and psychosocial disorders. These risks persist despite technological improvements and continue to hinder the development of a strong culture of occupational health and safety within the profession. This study aimed to assess occupational risks in dental clinics by analyzing expert opinion through the Delphi method. A panel of 18 experts, each with over ten years of experience, participated. Results indicated that “rotary dental instruments (e.g., turbines, contra-angle handpieces)” were consistently rated as the highest risk (mean score: 3.50). In the deviation category, the “risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to inappropriate PPE use” received the highest scores (3.83 and 3.61). In the contact category, “exposure to sharp, cutting, or abrasive instruments/materials” was rated highest (3.94 and 3.78). The study concludes that rotary instruments and sharp tools contribute significantly to the generation of potentially pathogenic bioaerosols and elevate the risk of infection. While strict safety protocols are essential, they may impair working conditions by reducing visibility, fogging protective eyewear, limiting breathability, and increasing humidity factors associated with decreased efficiency and increased stress among dental professionals.

Influence of the Topography of Zirconium Treated with Laser Micropatterning on Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study

2026-04-08T08:06:49Z

Influence of the Topography of Zirconium Treated with Laser Micropatterning on Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study Serrano-Belmonte, Ildefonso; Rico Molina, Alba; Rosales Leal, Juan Ignacio; Lorite Méndez, Guillermo; Rodríguez Valverde, Miguel Ángel; Serna-Muñoz, Clara; Martínez-Cánovas, Ascensión Zirconium is a widely used material in the field of dentistry, employed for implants and their components as well as for the creation of crowns and veneers. Given that its biocompatibility has been studied and demonstrated in various fields of application, it is necessary to analyze how surface modification of this material influences its properties. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biocompatibility, initial adhesion (48 h), and morphology of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) seeded on different zirconium surfaces treated with laser micropatterning, as well as plastic coverslips as a control. The Neubauer chamber was used to count the cells adhered to each of the sets, and confocal and scanning electron microscopy were employed to examine the adhesion and morphology of periodontal ligament stem cells on each of the zirconium surfaces studied. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in terms of primary cell adhesion, with sets 3 (grid topography) and 4 (channel topography) showing the most favorable characteristics for fibroblast adhesion. It was concluded that regular and moderately rough surfaces promoted better cell proliferation and development.

Efficacy of topical application of simvastatin gel combined with a collagen sponge carrier in preserving alveolar ridge dimensions: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial

2026-04-07T11:50:29Z

Efficacy of topical application of simvastatin gel combined with a collagen sponge carrier in preserving alveolar ridge dimensions: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial López Andrade, Elena; Manzano-Moreno, Francisco Javier; Taboada, Virginia; Vallecillo, Cristina; Jiménez Andújar, Laura; Vallecillo Rivas, Marta Background: Alveolar ridge atrophy is an inevitable consequence following tooth extraction, leading to substantial vertical and horizontal bone loss and frequently complicating subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation. Simvastatin (SIM), known for its osteoinductive and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in promoting local bone regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of a novel 1.2% SIM gel in preserving alveolar ridge dimensions following the surgical extraction of mandibular third molars, compared with a placebo. Methods: A randomized, triple-blind clinical trial (RCT) was conducted involving 40 patients (n = 20 per group) requiring mandibular third molar extraction. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the active 1.2% SIM gel (test group) or a placebo gel (control group). In both groups, the assigned gel was delivered using a collagen sponge as a carrier scaffold placed directly into the extraction socket. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained pre-extraction (T0) and 12 weeks postoperatively (T1). The primary outcome was the dimensional change in vertical alveolar bone height (ΔH). Secondary and exploratory outcomes included changes in bone width (ΔW), bone density (Mean Gray Value), postoperative pain, and swelling. Results: The primary outcome analysis included 38 sockets (n = 19 per group). The Test Group (SIM) showed significantly greater vertical bone preservation, with a mean change in height of − 0.30 ± 1.79 mm (indicating preservation/gain), compared to the Control Group’s mean loss of 1.28 ± 1.50 mm (p = 0.006). No statistically significant difference was observed in exploratory bone width preservation (p > 0.05). The SIM gel demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with no significant differences regarding postoperative pain or swelling compared to the placebo. Clinical Significance: The topical application of 1.2% SIM gel significantly improved vertical alveolar bone height preservation at 12 weeks compared to the placebo. This primary finding confirms the clinical benefit of local simvastatin delivery in maintaining the vertical dimension required for successful prosthetic treatment, while exploratory densitometric data also suggested an improvement in coronal bone mineralization. This simple, low-cost pharmacological approach is highly effective in mitigating post-extraction vertical bone loss.

Effects of starter feeding strategies and hatching systems on performance, intestinal health, and bone mineralization in broiler chickens

2026-03-27T11:04:34Z

Effects of starter feeding strategies and hatching systems on performance, intestinal health, and bone mineralization in broiler chickens Franco Rosselló, R.; Rodríguez Navarro, Alejandro; Benavides Reyes, Cristina; Farré, M.; Polo, J.; Solà Oriol, D.; García Ruiz, A.I. Broiler chicks of the same batch typically hatch over 24-48 h, not simultaneously. After hatching, exposure to suboptimal ambient temperatures, together with practices such as sexing, vaccination, and transport, delay their first feed and water intake, negatively impacting nutrient absorption and immune system development. Early nutrition strategies using lower Ca levels and highly digestible ingredients, like spray-dried porcine plasma, may mitigate these effects. This study compared a conventional hatchery system (CH) vs. on-farm hatching system (OFH) and three early feeding programs on performance (pen-based), tibia mineralization, and intestinal gene expression measured in representative male birds in Ross 308 broilers. Eggs from one breeder flock were divided as follows: 2 880 eggs at 18-day incubation were transported to the farm for OFH (initially 60 eggs/pen; 48 pens). At 21-day incubation (day 0), OFH pens were standardized to 39 chicks/pen (1 872 chicks total) to match conventional hatchery stocking density; surplus chicks were not enrolled. In parallel, 1 872 CH chicks from the same flock were transported ∼6 h (492 km) and placed in 48 pens. The study followed a three-way factorial design, including three starter feeding programs—S1: standard starter (0-10 days); S2: enhanced pre-starter (0-4 days) followed by standard starter (4-10 days); and S3: enhanced pre-starter (0-4 days) followed by enhanced starter (4-10 days)—by two hatching systems (CH vs. OFH), and by two sexes (female vs. male). All birds received common grower (10-28 days) and finisher (28-42 days) diets. During the starter phase, OFH chicks showed higher BW and greater tibia weight, ash weight, length, and breaking strength (P < 0.05), but performed similarly to CH chicks by the end of the cycle (P > 0.05) with few differences in bone properties. Feeding program S3 improved overall performance (P < 0.05) compared to S1 in both systems. Chicks fed the enhanced pre-starter diet exhibited upregulation of OCLN (P < 0.05), a gene associated with gut barrier integrity, compared with those on the standard diet. Chicks from CH showed higher expression (P < 0.05) of genes associated with immune response, barrier function, and stress adaptation, whereas OFH chicks showed gene expression patterns consistent with earlier intestinal maturation associated with immediate post-hatch feed access. Overall, optimized early feeding strategies based on low-Ca levels and highly digestible ingredients improved broiler growth performance and supported intestinal and bone development, whereas the effects of hatching system were mainly confined to the early post-hatch period.

Influence of the Topography of Zirconium Treated with Laser Micropatterning on Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study

2026-03-10T10:55:19Z