Adrián Curto

Little is known about how controlled changes in gingival color affect the esthetic perception of broad smiles. This study evaluated how gingival color modifications affected esthetic ratings and whether responses varied by evaluator gender and age. Two photographs of broad smiles (one male and one female model) were digitally modified to create four versions per model: natural gingival color, increased L* (lighter gingiva), increased a* (redder gingiva), and either increased b* (more yellowish gingiva) in the female model or decreased L* (darker gingiva) in the male model. Two hundred participants rated the eight images on a 0–10 scale. Paired-samples t-tests and Cohen’s d were used. For both models, images with natural or lighter gingiva received higher ratings than the other versions. Redder gingiva received significantly lower ratings than the original, with a larger effect in the male model (d = 0.94) than in the female model (d = 0.33). Darker (male) and more yellowish (female) gingiva also received lower ratings (d = 0.90 and d = 0.88, respectively). In descriptive subgroup analyses, unfavorable color changes tended to receive lower ratings among female evaluators and participants younger than 60 years; however, between-group differences were not formally tested. Gingival color significantly influenced the esthetic perception of the two broad-smile photographs evaluated.

Clear aligner mandibular advancement is increasingly used for Class II correction in growing patients, but its effect on pharyngeal airway morphology remains unclear. This retrospective controlled pilot study evaluated pharyngeal airway, soft-palate, adenoidal, and hyoid bone changes after clear aligner mandibular advancement in growing Class II patients with mandibular retrusion. Treated patients were selected from orthodontic records, while untreated controls were selected from the AAOF Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection. Inclusion required ANB1 > 4°, SNB1 ≤ 78°, and CVMS 1–4 at T1. The final sample included 40 subjects: 20 treated patients and 20 untreated controls. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed at T1 and T2. Airway dimensions, adenoidal measurements, soft-palate morphology, and hyoid bone position were assessed. T2–T1 changes were compared within and between groups. Baseline demographic, skeletal screening, and airway-related variables were comparable between groups. In the treated group, significant within-group increases were observed for LP and PNS–AD2, while controls showed significant changes in H–Cv2 and H–Cv3. Between-group comparison of T2–T1 changes showed a nominally significant difference only for Cv2′–MPW, with a greater increase in the treated group (p = 0.039). No significant between-group differences were observed for the remaining variables. Clear aligner mandibular advancement was associated with a localized increase in the middle pharyngeal airway dimension in growing Class II patients with mandibular retrusion. However, these findings do not support generalized airway enlargement or functional respiratory improvement and should not be interpreted as evidence of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

Objective: To compare radiographic changes following regenerative endodontic procedures in immature permanent teeth with pulp necrosis of traumatic or carious origin. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 20 immature permanent teeth from 20 patients (10 traumatic and 10 carious cases) treated with a standardized regenerative endodontic protocol. Root length, dentinal wall thickness, periapical status, and type of repair were assessed using standardized periapical radiographs at baseline and 12 months. Radiographs were independently evaluated by two investigators blinded to etiology, and inter-examiner agreement for type of repair was assessed using Cohen’s kappa. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in root-length change between the groups. A statistically significant greater increase in dentinal wall thickness was observed in the carious group compared with the traumatic group; however, the groups differed substantially in tooth type. No statistically significant differences were observed in Periapical Index scores after 12 months of follow-up, and periapical healing (PAI 1–2) was observed in all cases. Periodontal-associated repair was observed in all traumatic cases, whereas pulpal-associated repair was observed in all carious cases. Conclusions: Regenerative endodontic procedures were associated with favorable radiographic outcomes in immature permanent teeth with pulp necrosis of traumatic or carious origin. However, the small sample size, short follow-up, absence of a control group, and substantial differences in tooth type between etiological groups limit causal interpretation of the observed differences.

Background/Objectives: Resin 3D printing is widely used to fabricate orthodontic diagnostic models, but the practical performance of commercial desktop workflows compared to dental-certified workflows is still debated. This study compared the dimensional accuracy and 7-day stability of maxillary orthodontic models printed from the same master STL file using a dental-certified workflow versus two commercial desktop workflows. Methods: An ISO 20896-1:2019-based reference cast with four 6 mm calibration spheres was used to generate a master STL file. Fifteen models were printed (n = 5 per workflow) using Primeprint™ (dental-certified workflow) and two commercial desktop printers (Anycubic Photon Mono M5s; Phrozen Sonic Mighty 14K REVO). The models were digitized at baseline (T0, ≤48 h) and after 7 days (T7) using a laboratory scanner. Surface superimposition in CloudCompare^® calculated the RMS (root mean square) surface deviation and mean signed deviation, and two calibrated operators performed independent extractions. Results: The mean RMS deviations were 0.05), and the inter-operator agreement was excellent (ICC 0.991–0.999). Conclusions: Under the tested workflows, dental-certified and commercial desktop resin printing produced orthodontic models with a comparable global surface accuracy and short-term dimensional stability.

There is growing interest in cephalometric methods based on artificial intelligence (AI), as they can significantly reduce clinicians’ workload and i

Background: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children is an issue of growing interest in the scientific literature, with various studies focused on the adolescent population published in recent years. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the possible influence of the OHRQoL of mothers on that of their adolescent children. The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between the OHRQoL of mothers and that of their adolescent children at their first oral examination. Methods: This retrospective pilot study was performed at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca (Spain) between 2023 and 2025. The OHRQoL of 130 adolescent patients (from 11 to 14 years old) who visited the dentist for the first time was analysed. The mothers of these children were also interviewed to evaluate their OHRQoL; the adolescent patients completed the Spanish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ-Esp_11–14) before their first dental consultation, and their mothers completed the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results: The study population consisted of 130 mothers (mean age: 43.0 ± 2.66 years) and their respective adolescent children (mean age: 12.5 ± 1.3 years) (65 boys and 65 girls). Among the adolescent patients, the highest score was obtained for the social well-being dimension of the CPQ-Esp_11–14 (25.01 ± 4.10), whereas the lowest was obtained for the oral symptoms dimension (10.88 ± 3.78). A higher score on the physical pain dimension of the OHRQoL for the mothers was related (p < 0.01) to higher scores on the emotional and social well-being dimensions of the CPQ-Esp_11–14 for their children. Conclusions: Considering the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the OHRQoL of mothers has some effect on that of their adolescent children when visiting a dentist for the first time.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of socially vulnerable children and adolescents in Seville and to examine its associations with behavioral and sociodemographic determinants. We hypothesized that greater social vulnerability and suboptimal behaviors would be associated with higher caries experience. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 250 participants aged 2 to 17 years attending the Luis Séiquer Social Dentistry Foundation between January and March 2025. Clinical examinations followed the WHO Oral Health Surveys: Basic Methods (5th edition, 2013) and were performed by a calibrated dentist. Variables included dental caries indices (dft, DMFT), pulpal treatment needs, and oral hygiene practices. Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, Fisher’s exact tests, and multivariate regression models (significance level p < 0.05). Results: Caries prevalence was high across all age groups, particularly in primary dentition (mean dft = 3.05 ± 3.80; DMFT = 2.99 ± 3.66; p < 0.001). Pulp therapy needs were significantly higher among preschoolers (mean = 2.22 ± 2.31). Factors such as low parental education, migrant background, insufficient toothbrushing frequency, and frequent sugar intake were strongly associated with poorer oral health outcomes. Although fluoridated toothpaste use was widespread (>94%), dental floss use remained limited (34.8%). Multivariate analyses confirmed a strong association between social inequalities and oral disease burden. Conclusions: Children and adolescents from vulnerable groups in Seville experience a high prevalence of dental caries and substantial unmet treatment needs. Findings highlight marked oral health disparities linked to socioeconomic status, emphasizing the urgent need for early preventive programs, culturally adapted oral health education, and equitable access to dental care.

Background: Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a developmental dental condition that causes defects in the enamel of the first molars and permanent incisors. The aim of the present study was to assess possible causal correlations between the mother-child dyad medical history and MIH. Methods: An observational, retrospective, case‒control pilot study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca. This study was conducted between November 2023 and May 2024. Data on potential aetiological factors were collected through personal interviews, and the children’s parents were asked aetiological questions. Statistical analysis was performed with Student’s t test and the chi-square test. Results: A total of 140 children were enrolled in the study. The case group included 70 children with MIH (31 boys and 39 girls; mean age: 9.1 ± 2.32 years), while the control group comprised 70 children without MIH (32 boys and 38 girls; mean age: 9.57 ± 3.09 years). Among the factors assessed, maternal drug allergies during pregnancy and childhood asthma were identified as potential aetiological contributors to MIH, both showing statistically significant associations (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this pilot case-control study, a potential association was observed between MIH and both maternal drug allergies during pregnancy and childhood asthma. These findings support the need for further investigation into prenatal and early-life factors that may contribute to enamel developmental disturbances. Larger prospective studies are recommended to confirm these associations and better understand the underlying mechanisms.