Airborne Dental Material Particulates and Occupational Exposure: Computational and Field Insights into Airflow Dynamics and Control Strategies

Abstract

Occupational exposure to airborne polymethacrylate (PMMA) particles during dental laboratory procedures poses an underexplored health risk. This study presents the first integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and real-time particle monitoring investigation of 0.5 µm PMMA particle dispersion during mechanical polishing in an actual clinic. We quantitatively assessed particle behavior in 30 s exposure scenarios by examining the effects of dental professional work orientations and comparing two mitigation strategies, rear-inlet portable air cleaners (PACs) and a Box Dust Collector (BC), with an emphasis on the safety of both personnel and patients. The findings establish that operatory airflow is a primary safety determinant: aligning the workflow with the main airflow (0°). Furthermore, the combined use of PACs and BC demonstrated synergistic superiority, achieving the optimal reduction in peak concentrations and airborne residence time. PACs alone reduced working zone concentrations by up to 80%, while BC provided a crucial 40-60 s delay in initial plume dispersion. We conclude that effective exposure control requires a proactive, two-stage engineering defense: source confinement augmented by continuous ambient filtration. This research provides a robust, evidence-based foundation for defining airflow-aware ergonomic and combined engineering standards in the evolving digital era of dentistry.