The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of caries and gingivitis in a selected population of schoolchildren and to examine the relationship between prevalence of the diseases with their oral health behaviours. A total of 39 subjects, aged nine to 11 years, from 147 schoolchildren of a private school in Selangor, Malaysia were examined by two calibrated examiners trained in their own field. The subjects were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Erupted first permanent molars and permanent anterior teeth were examined. Dental caries, Plaque Score and Gingival Index were recorded. Descriptive statistics using frequency distribution were used to analyse the data. Forty-one percent of the subjects presented with more than 75% of total plaque accumulation. Prevalence of caries and gingivitis for the subject population was 18.0% and 31.0%, respectively. Caries was found on both the smooth (buccal/lingual/palatal) and occlusal surfaces. Gingivitis, diagnosed around 31.6% of teeth, was found more on the incisors (16.9%) than molars (14.7%). A relatively higher distribution of gingivitis was found on labial aspect of the incisors (5.5%) and palatal/ lingual aspect of the molars (4.7%). The prevalence of caries and gingivitis in this selected population was low. Certain dentition sites were more susceptible to dental caries and gingivitis. Good tooth brushinghabits and regular visits to the dentists do not guarantee the efficacy of plaque removal.
The aim of this study was to observe the pattern of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in GCF and the rate of tooth movement at two different orthodontic forces (1.0 N and 1.5 N). Twelve subjects participated in this study and was chosen based on the inclusion criteria. Each subject received forces of 1.0 N and 1.5 N for tooth movement either on the left or right side of the maxillary canine. GCF sample was collected at mesial and distal sites of the canines before applying the appliance (week 0) and every week for 5 weeks after tooth movement (week 1 to week 5) where baseline activity served as control. LDH activity was assayed spectrophotometically at 340 nm. The tooth movements were measured from casted study models. LDH specific activity at mesial sites in 1.0 N and 1.5 N force groups, respectively increased significantly (p<0.05) only on week four and throughout the treatment when compared with baseline. At distal sites, LDH specific activity with 1.5 N was higher than 1.0 N throughout the five weeks of tooth movement. LDH specific activity with 1.5 N force increased at both mesial (week 2) and distal sites (week 3) with significant different (p<0.05) when compared with 1.0 N force. Tooth movement with 1.5 N showed significantly faster (p<0.05) at the end of week 5 when compared with 1.0 N. LDH has the potential as a biological marker of inflammation during tooth movement.A force of 1 N was more suitable to be used although less tooth movement was produced because less inflammation caused by the force can be useful in orthodontic treatment for patients with stabilised periodontal diseases compared with 1.5 N force.
Obturation technique may have an effect on the apical seal following post space preparation. This study aimed to evaluate the apical seal of single cone and cold lateral condensation obturation techniques after post space preparation at two different timing. A total of 120 decoronated, single-rooted human premolars were divided into two groups (n=50) based on canal preparation and obturation techniques; group A - hand ProTaper/ single cone and group B - modified double-flared/ cold lateral condensation. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups (n=25) (subgroup I- post space preparation immediately after obturation; subgroup II- post space preparation 7 days later). The remaining 20 teeth served as positive and negative controls. The external root surface was coated with nail varnish, submerged in 2% methylene-blue dye and incubated at 37°C for 72 h. Each tooth was later sectioned apico-coronally at 1 mm interval and evaluated using dissecting microscope. The results revealed that obturation techniques do not affect the apical seal (p>0.05). Immediate post preparation groups achieved significantly better seal for both obturation techniques when compared with the delayed groups at the level 3 mm and above from the apex (p<0.05). Immediate post space preparation provides better apical seal regardless of obturation techniques used.
Bullous impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection commonly affecting children due to epidermolytic toxins of bacteria Staphylococcus sp. This presentation described a case of a 3 year-old Indian girl with bullous lesion around the peri-oral region. The lesion was initially thought to be of viral origin and was treated symptomatically. However, the lesion progressed without any resolution with more vesicles at distant sites. The patient was also having fever and refused any oral intake. At this point, a probable diagnosis of bacterial skin infection was considered and the patient was admitted. Intra-venous fluid was administered to rehydrate the patient and she was treated with topical antibiotic and antipyretic. The lesion resolved within 14 days without scarring. As dental practitioners, we should be aware of bacterial infection around the peri-oral region and consider it as part of a differential diagnosis so that an appropriate treatment can be given.
BCD syndrome is a rare birth syndrome characterised by cleft lip and palate, euryblepharon with/without limb anomalies, ectropion of lower eyelids and hypertelorism. The dental anomalies include cone shaped microdontic teeth and oligodontia. Different combinations of these signs have been found sporadically in patients. This syndrome is also known as Elschnig’s syndrome. By at large, patients with this syndrome have no potentially fatal anomalies. Their growth and development were usually normal. This case review described the clinical manifestation and oral findings of a patient with BCD syndrome. The dental need of the patient was outlined.
The aim of the study was to determine the frequency, size and location of apical and lateral foramina on anterior teeth. A total of 100 anterior teeth consisting of maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines were fixed in 10% formalin. Periodontal tissue remnants were mechanically removed and teeth were stained in 2% aqueous silver nitrate. The teeth were dried and examined using a Leica MZ 7.5 zoom stereomicroscope. The size of apical and lateral foramina and their distance from the anatomical apex of the tooth were measured directly using a calibrated eyepiece scale. Accessory foramina more than 1.8 mm from the apex were regarded as lateral foramina. Eighteen percent of teeth possessed more than one apical foramen. Seven teeth (three maxillary centrals, three maxillary canines, one mandibular lateral) had 11 lateral foramina each. The mean diameter of the lateral foramina was 0.14 mm (SD = 0.08) and their mean distance from the apex was 4.49 mm (SD = 2.63, range 1.9-10.5 mm). Multiple foramina were most common on maxillary canines and least common on maxillary laterals. The mean diameter of apical foramina for all teeth possessing a single foramen was 0.35 mm (SD = 0.10) and the mean apical foramen diameter for all teeth with multiple apical foramina was 0.22 mm (SD = 0.08). Most anterior teeth possess one apical foramen and no lateral foramina; about 20% possessed more than one apical foramen and about 10% possessed one or more lateral foramina. These findings should be considered when root-treating anterior teeth.
The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of erythromycin, oxytetracycline and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in dentine. E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (American type culture collection) was inoculated into standard tooth sections and incubated in aerobic atmosphere at 37°C for 21 days. The infected tooth sections were then exposed to the test agents for 5 and 10 min. The colony forming units (CFU) after the exposure periods at three different depths <100 μm, 100-350 μm and 350-500 μm were enumerated. After 5 min of exposure, both antibiotics had significantly lower CFU count than Ca(OH)2 solution at three dentinal depths. Comparing with the oxytetracycline, the CFU count of the erythromycin was significantly (p<0.05) lower at the depth of 100-500 μm. Similarly, after 10 min of exposure, erythromycin had significantly lower CFU count (p<0.05) at three dentinal depths. Oxytetracycline showed significantly lower CFU count than Ca(OH)2 at 100 μm depth. Comparing with the two exposure times, the erythromycin and Ca(OH)2 groups showed significant lower CFU counts after 10 min of exposure in the antimicrobial agents to 5 min. In conclusion, both antibiotics show better antimicrobial activity than Ca(OH)2 in removing the E. faecalis biofilm in dentine.
Cell mediated immunity is currently thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal lichen planus (OMLP). However, literature reveals there is no large scale data of immunohistochemistry (IHC) study on these immune cell populations. The aim of this study was to assess and compare immune cell surface identification markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD83 between the OMLP (n=40) and non-specific inflammatory lesions (as control group) (n=10) qualitatively and quantitatively. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests have been used to make comparison between the test and control group, p values of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. T cell surface markers (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+), B cells (CD19+) and mature dendritic cells (CD83+) showed intense immunostaining in OMLP tissues with a significantly higher expression of positive cells than in the control group (p<0.05). CD3, CD4 and CD8+ve T cells were the predominant inflammatory cell type in OMLP rather than CD19+ B cells, supporting the role of Th1 cells in the pathogenesis of OMLP. CD83+ mature dendritic cells were present in the least number and were mostly localized to areas where there were aggregates of lymphocyte. There was a positive correlation and direct relationship between T and B lymphocyte subsets whereby as one subset increased, the other follows.
MeSH terms: B-Lymphocytes; Dendritic Cells; Immunity, Cellular; Immunohistochemistry; B-Lymphocyte Subsets; Lichen Planus, Oral; Th1 Cells; Statistics, Nonparametric; Control Groups
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between partially erupted impacted mandibular third and the risk for angle of mandible fracture. We designed a retrospective cohort study composed of patients who presented with mandible fractures. The predictor variables were the presence and angulation of the partially erupted impacted mandibular third molar and the distance between the apices of the mandibular third molar and the inferior border of the mandible. The outcome variable was the presence or absence of an angle fracture. Patients with a partially erupted impacted mandibular third molars had a 3.3 times greater chance of an angle fracture than patients without mandibular third molars (p<001). No significant association was found between the distance of the apices and angulation of the mandibular third molars to the inferior border of the mandible with angle of mandible fractures. Our findings highlight the need for enforcement of proper protective gear in young individuals who are at high risk for facial trauma.
The objective of this study was to establish the association of plasma fibronectin in saliva of pregnant women with history of miscarriage(s). A total of 25 pregnant women with history of miscarriage(s) were recruited at the Antenatal Clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur as the test group and 16 pregnant women without any history of miscarriage served as control. All the subjects fulfilled a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Periodontal examination was performed to determine subjects’ periodontal status. Saliva samples were collected and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the plasma fibronectin in these samples. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine the significance of differences seen. The study showed a statistically significant higher median plasma fibronectin level in the saliva samples of the test group with a median level of 0.10 μg/mL compared with the control group with a mean value of 0.00 μg/mL (p-value =0.023). However, there was no significant difference in the level of plasma fibronectin in the saliva samples of pregnant women with chronic periodontitis compared with the group with healthy gingiva (p-value= 0.118). As a conclusion, there was a positive association between plasma fibronectin in saliva of women and history of miscarriages compared with the control group in this case study.
The aims of this study were to assess the skeletal pattern and the malocclusion of Kadazan Dusun ethnic patients who seek for orthodontic treatment. Cephalometric radiographs (248) and 345 study models were collected from four orthodontic clinics in Sabah. The cephalometric mean values (SNA, SNB, ANB, MMA, SNMxP, UIMxP, LIMnP and ALFH) were measured and the study models were analysed for overjet, overbite, incisor and molar relationships. Some morphological or occlusal features such as shovel shape, Talon cusp, peg shape teeth, midline diastema, canine displacement and supernumerary tooth were also noted. The frequency and correlation of cephalometric mean values and prevalence of malocclusion were analysed using SPSS 18. Class I Skeletal pattern was the most common (48%) followed by Class II (33%) and Class III (18%). There was a strong correlation between SNA and SNB values (>0.70). Class II/1 incisor relationship has the highest frequency (41%) followed by Class III (32%), Class I (21%) and Class II/2 (6%). Class II Molar relationship of both right and left showed highest frequency (38%) followed by Class I (33%) and Class III (30%). Increased of overjet (44%) and reduced overbite (41%) and shovel-shaped incisor were the most common occlusal and dental features. The Kadazan Dusun patients who seek for orthodontic treatment in Sabah were mostly presented with Class I Skeletal pattern with high prevalence in Class II/1 incisor relationship, Class II molar relationship, increased overjet and reduced overbite. The orthodontic treatment pertaining to this ethnicity should be in line with the findings that will benefit patient specifically based on their common presented features.
Bacteriocin or Bacteriocin like inhibitory substances (BLIS) is a protein antibiotic that has a relatively narrow spectrum of killing activity. It could potentially serve as a natural alternative to antibiotics in reducing the development of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of the strains of Lactobacillus sp. isolated from healthy subjects (test strains) against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and other periodontal pathogens (indicator strains) isolated from subgingival plaques of aggressive periodontitis patients were determined by using deferred antagonism test and agar-well diffusion method. Strains of Lactobacillus sp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and black pigmented bacteria were selectively isolated from TJA, TSBV and TSBA agars, respectively. Mean diameter zone of inhibition of at least 10 mm was considered as positive results for both methods. Out of 25 strains of Lactobacillus sp. screened, only eight test strains of Lactobacillus sp. showed the specific antimicrobial activity against certain strains of indicator periodontal pathogens during deferred antagonism test. However, out of eight potential strains, only three strains, which were Lactobacillus sp. strain S, Lactobacillus sp. strain V and Lactobacillus sp. strain W consistently showed positive inhibitory activity against black pigmented bacteria by deferred antagonism test and agar-well diffusion method. Therefore, these three strains should be considered as potential BLIS producer strains for further study.
The objective of this study was to investigate in-depth factors influencing adherence to oral hygiene care among periodontal patients. This qualitative research was based on patients undergoing initial phase of periodontal therapy at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Periodontic Clinics. The data collection were obtained using a focus group discussion (FGD) and the session was recorded and later transcribed for manual analysis. Six patients participated in the FGD. The main themes which emerged collectively from the discussion were ‘lack of knowledge’ and ‘poor motivation’ related to effective oral hygiene care. Respondents noted that motivation to adhere to oral hygiene care improved when clinicians undertook good professional care and when patients themselves experienced retrospective regret for their tooth loss. This study showed lack of oral health knowledge, poor attitude towards oral hygiene care, good dentist-patient relationship, regret about past neglect, cultural beliefs and affordability were the factors which might influence adherence to oral hygiene care among periodontal patients.
Restoration of anterior teeth requires high precision in the shade selection of the restorative material due to its aesthetic appearance. Incorrect selection of shade for the restoration may result in patient’s dissatisfaction due to unaesthetic appearance. This study was conducted to determine the optimum lighting condition and preferable patient’s position that may influence the anterior tooth shade selection at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. One hundred dental students from the 4th and 5th year were randomly selected to perform the shade selection procedure on the maxillary central incisor of two selected subjects. The shade of the tooth was predetermined using an intraoral spectrophotometer machine and the result was used as reference for the visual shade selection procedure done by the students. Four different clinical situations were selected and the shade selected by the students’ was compared with the predetermined shade. The result showed that the shade selection for anterior composite resin restoration is more reliable using the first reading taken (46%) when the patient is in the upright position (35.5%) with dental chair light off (56%). As a conclusion, the patient’s position, lighting condition and number of readings taken does influence the result of the shade selection for the anterior tooth.
This study assess the effective use of audience response system (ARS), an interactive presenter-audience electronic system, in measuring Malaysian dentists’ interest in attending a less explored non-clinical continuing professional education topic. A total of 157 dentists voluntarily attended a specially designed one-day-four-module workshop conducted in four urban locations. The effective use of ARS in commanding attendance was measured in terms of dentists’ full seminar attendance to completion and opinion regarding the use of the instrument. The retention rate of workshop attendance to completion in the four locations ranged between 76.5 and 100%. Out of these participants, 93.7% said they enjoyed the ARS approach, 92.4% agreed it motivated them to stay on until the end, 97% said it increased their curiosity and appreciates answering in anonymity. The use of ARS technology is effective in enhancing participants’ interest and retention in the workshop, provides interactive learning opportunities and quick feedback and has a potential as an objective instrument in research data collection.
The clinical efficacy was investigated between Damon™ 3 self-ligating (SLB) and Mini Diamond conventional-ligating brackets (CLB) of the straight-wire fixed orthodontic therapy on the tooth movement during canine retraction stage. Twenty patients, age between 14 and 30 years old were randomized into 2 groups: ten patients received Damon™ 3 SLB and another ten patients received Mini Diamond CLB. A transpalatal arch soldered to both maxillary first molar bands was constructed for each patient and cemented before the extraction of the maxillary first premolars. The canine retraction was commenced on a 0.018” stainless steel archwire by attaching a Nickel-Titanium close coil spring from the canine bracket to the molar band for three consecutive visits of 4 weeks interval (T0, T1, T2 and T3). Tooth movements were determined by subtracting the present measurement from the previous ones using a digital caliper on a study model. Statistical analysis showed that there was no difference (p>0.05) in canine retraction between Damon™ 3 and Mini Diamond brackets. The Damon™ 3 and Mini Diamond brackets have same efficacy in tooth movement.
The AlInN layers have been grown with different growth parameters on GaN/sapphire substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The effects of growth parameters such as pressure and temperature on the Al incorporation during AlInN material growth have been investigated. The result showed that lower pressure provides a tendency for higher Al incorporating in the AlInN layer. Besides, as the temperature was increased from 700°C to 780°C, an estimation of 4% reduction on the indium composition has been observed for each 20°C increment. XRD analysis showed that the best crystal quality of AlInN occured at 80% Al composition because of the higher lattice matching with GaN. Based on the above criteria, an Al0.8In0.2N/GaN HEMT device with 2 μm gate length has also been fabricated. The DC characteristics showed a saturated current, Idss of 280 mA/mm and transconductance of 140 mS/mm.
In this work, the preparation of ZnO, N-doped ZnO (NZO), Al-doped ZnO (AZO) and Al, N-doped ZnO (ANZO) thin films by the sol-gel spin-coating method is reported. The structural properties and surface morphologies of films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The optical properties of the films were interpreted from their transmission spectra using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The XRD and SEM results disclosed that the crystallization quality and grain size of as-prepared films were highly influenced by N and Al doping. UV-VIS spectrophotometer results indicated that Al and N additives could significantly enhance the optical transparency and induce the blue-shift in optical bandgap of ZnO films.
In this study, we present the structural and electronic bandgap properties of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide by applying ultrasoft pseudo-potential plane wave approach developed within the frame of density functional theory (DFT). We used generalized gradient approximation (GGA) proposed by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) for exchange correlation potential. In our pressure driven investigations, geometry optimization is carried out for different values of pressure over a range of 0-100 GPa and subsequently related structural parameters and bandgap values of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been calculated. In both cases, the lattice constants (a, c) and volume decreased as the pressure was increased. Similarly, internal parameter for anatase increased and for rutile TiO2 it decreased under high pressure. The value of c/a decreased for anatase and increased for rutile TiO2 as a function of pressure. Our band structure analysis showed different behavior of bandgap between anatase and rutile TiO2. The conduction band of anatase TiO2 moved opposite to the conduction band of rutile TiO2 as we increased the pressure. Additionally we used the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state to obtain the equilibrium volume (V0), bulk modulus (B0) and pressure derivative of bulk modulus (B0’) at zero pressure. The calculated results are in good agreement with previous experimental as well as theoretical results.
A novel rapid ion colorimetric sensing material for iron(III) ions was developed from poly(γ-glutamic acid) and 3,4-dihydro-3-(2′-ethyl hydroxyl)-6-ethyl-1,3,2H-benzoxazine (ethyl-Bx). The benzoxazine as an ionophore segment was grafted into γ-PGA backbone via the esterification reaction, which is a simple and effective reaction. The structure of γ-PGA-graft-ethyl-Bx was characterized by using FT-IR and 1H-NMR. The most attainable degree of conversion was 25%. The γ-PGA-graft-ethyl-Bx showed a highly selective and sensitive recognition toward iron(III), which was clearly observable with the naked eye. The iron(III) ions sensing property of γ-PGA-graft-ethyl-Bx was further examined by using photometric titration method. After the interaction between the γ-PGA-graft-ethyl-Bx and iron(III) ions was formed, the solution of the polymer in dimethyl sulfoxide was changed from clear and colorless to red color, resulting in the shift of the maximum wavelength from UV to visible range.