Indigenous healers in many societies use patterned sounds, movements, colors, shapes, and odors as therapeutic techniques; yet medical anthropology remains curiously inattentive to the aesthetics of healing rituals. Based on research among Senoi Temiar of Peninsular Malaysia, I propose an approach to the therapeutic efficacy of these symbolic forms. The music of Temiar healing ceremonies is examined from three perspectives: the formal musical structures, the indigenous theories that inform those structures, and the strategies through which they are performed and experienced by participants. Temiar healing performances present a moment of articulation between two domains of knowledge and action: musical composition, performance, and affect, on the one hand, and indigenous cosmology, illness etiology, and the pathogenicity of emotions, on the other. Songs of Temiar spirit-mediums cross-cut these two domains, and demonstrate the pragmatics of aesthetics.
Coastal waters in South Johore, Malaysia are polluted to various degrees. The major pollution sources are domestric wastes from human settlements, agro-based wastes from palm oil mills and rubber processing factories, industrial effluents from industrial estates and discharges from animal farms. These pollution problems have adversely affected resources such as fisheries, recreational potential as well as the general aesthetic quality of the coastal environment particularly the Inner Johore Strait. Hence proper management and control measures are urgently needed to protect and further enhance the water quality to ensure environmentally sustainable development. This study examines various management options to control the pollution in the Inner Johore Strait. The options involve partial opening as well as complete removal of the Causeway to improve the tidal flow for more effective dilution and dispersion of pollutants. Computer simulation models are used to assess the impacts of the proposed options.
This case report illustrates the successful management of a case of mutilated maxillary incisors in a 13 year old patient through a sequence of therapy designed to closely coordinate the various disciplines, endodontics, restorative dentistry and orthodontics, involved. Endodontics was directed towards the control of the infected pulp, restorative treatment was to reconstruct the broken down teeth in stages which were essential in the sequence of treatment, and orthodontics was involved in the achievement of functional occlusion and alignment. The comprehensive treatment approach combined to achieve satisfactory aesthetics and function.
The Standard DAI is an orthodontic index based on perceptions of dental aesthetics in the USA. The Standard DAI is a regression equation linking perceptions of the social acceptability of dental aesthetics with the objective intraoral measurements of ten occlusal traits. Since the Standard DAI is based on perceptions of dental aesthetics in the USA it can be used without modification only where perceptions of dental aesthetics are similar to those in the USA. This study was designed to determine whether perceptions of dental aesthetics of students in eleven diverse ethnic groups are similar to those of students in the USA. The same 25 stimuli (photographs of dental configurations, a subset of the 200 stimuli used in deriving the Standard DAI equation) were rated for dental aesthetics by Australian, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Native American, Singaporean Chinese, Singaporean Indian, Singaporean Malay, and Thai students. Their ratings were compared with the ratings of the same 25 stimuli by students in the USA. Spearman rank-order correlations ranged from 0.84 to 0.94. These correlations are sufficiently high to show that perceptions of dental aesthetics in all eleven ethnic groups are very similar to the perceptions of USA students. Therefore the Standard DAI can be used without modification in all eleven ethnic groups.
Cephalometric data from 105 female subjects (35 Chinese, 35 Malay and 35 Indian) with good occlusion and aesthetic pleasing facial profiles (determined by a trained clinician and endorsed by the lay public) were analysed using the Steiner analysis. Statistical analysis of the data showed that while the cephalometric ideals of the Chinese and the Malay ethnic groups were rather similar, cephalometric differences existed between the Chinese and Indians as well as the Malays and Indians. Compared to the Chinese and Malays, the Indians appeared to have less prognathic mandibles and maxillae, less protrusive and proclined upper and lower incisors and also less protrusive upper and lower lips. These differences demonstrate intrinsic ethnic differences and emphasize the need to treat patients of different ethnic groups using cephalometric norms which are peculiar to their own group.
The development of porcelain laminate veneers has added a new dimension to dentistry in the treatment of unsightly anterior teeth. It is a less invasive procedure than the conventional crown restoration in the treatment of aesthetic problems. This paper highlights some of the considerations in the successful use of porcelain veneers.
With the prognosis of dental implant replacement of missing teeth becoming better each year, practitioners are focusing their attention on the aesthetic aspects of implantology. However, improvement in aesthetics is only possible with the improvement in implant technology, surgical techniques and prosthodontic procedures. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of various physical and chemical agents on the implant surface; with the view of obtaining increased surface area and biocompatibility. The study found that the treatment of air-aluminum oxide blasted implants using a mixture of 30% HNO3-5% HF acids produced a surface which meets the consideration of aesthetics for implants placed in the anterior maxillary region.
The preliminary investigation was carried out to assess the severity of malocclusion between two centres, the dental schools in Leeds, United Kingdom and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 99 study models were analysed using the Index ofOrthodontic Treatment Need (lOIN). Thestudy models were ofpatients aged 8to 15years, equally distributed between male and female patients taken from the undergraduate and staff clinics. Forty nine and fifty study models were analysed at the Leeds Dental School and FacultyofDentistry,University ofMalaya,respectively.Fromthisobservation, it appeared that the sample of patients treated at the Faculty of Dentistry, Kuala Lumpur presented approximately 25%higher with casesin the severe end of the malocclusion based on the dental health component and almost 70%more with the aesthetic component. Factors contributing to this finding are discussed.
The current standard of managing facial bone fractures is the use of rigid internal fixation. This method provides good stabilization and repair for mid-face fractures such as the zygomatico-orbitalfracture. Nowadays, for the young and old, patients want not only rapid bone healing, but also good facial aesthetics after surgical treatment following maxillofacial trauma. Therefore, osteosynthesis of fractures and inconspicuous post-operative scars are considered essential. The lower eyelid approach or modified blepharoplasty provides rapid access to the infraorbital rim as well as the orbital floor, while the lateral eyebrow incision gives direct access for fixation at the fronto-zygomatic suture. Combining the Gillies' approach and a single form of rigid internal fixation, good cosmetic results and function can be achieved. Cases using the micro-plate-system for thin infraorbital bones and the miniplate- system for thicker facial bones involving zygomatico-orbital fractures are described.
Much interest has been generated in tooth-co loured inlays/onlays especially with patient's concern for esthetic appearance and the dentist's appreciation for additional strength of the restored tooth, together with bonding. Many types of tooth-coloured inlay/onlay restorations are available but none have undergone extensive and long term research. The different types of inlay/onlay restorations together with steps in their preparation are presented in this paper.
Tissue-integrated oral implants have opened-up a new perspective in oral rehabilitation of tumour patients who had undergone surgery. The present case demonstrated a simple approach to rehabilitate a patient who had subtotal maxillectomy using dental implant. The use of an implant in combination with a natural abutment tooth was shown to improve the retention and stability of the obturator. Magnetic attachment and telescopic restoration were the retainers of choice and they provided good aesthetic result.
Data on malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in Malaysia are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in a sample of 12-13-year-old schoolchildren using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), and to assess the relationship between malocclusion and socio-demographic variables, perceptions of need for orthodontic treatment, aesthetic perception and social functioning.
This article describes the occlusal rehabilitation of a partially edentulous patient who did not want a removable partial denture. Implants and extensive fixed restorations were used to restore posterior support and treat severely worn dentition, respectively. The treatment offered the patient a functional and esthetic result.
To assess the prevalence and severity of malocclusion in a large sample of 12-13-year-old children and to compare assessments of treatment need according to three methods.
Matched MeSH terms: Esthetics, Dental/statistics & numerical data
This pilot survey was conducted to determine the main reason and the motivating factors which, influence patients in seeking orthodontic treatment. 115 patients aged 11-30 years old were taken from the orthodontic waiting list at the Dental Faculty, University Malaya dated December 1999 - May 2000. A structured questionnaire was designed and the survey of patients was carried out using the telephone. The desire to have a better dental appearance was the main reason (65 %) given by patients who were seeking orthodontic treatment. The most important motivating factor that influences patients in seeking orthodontic treatment was to attain straight teeth (48 %). In conclusion, patients seek orthodontic treatment mainly due to psychological reason, which is to improve dental appearance and aesthetic. Perceived needs of an orthodontic patient should also be taken into consideration before commencing orthodontic treatment to increase chances of mutually satisfying result for both the orthoqontist and patient.
Thirty-one patients treated at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, were assessed for their satisfaction following orthognathic surgery. The female to male ratio was 22:9 with an age range of 17 to 36. Almost all patients (97%) listed appearance as one of their rationales for surgery. More males (78%) than females (59%) wanted functional improvement, while more females (91%) than males (33%) hoped for improvement in self-confidence. All patients reported esthetic improvement while 68% each reported improvement in mastication and self-confidence. Slightly more than half (52%) chose esthetic improvement as the single most important factor resulting in satisfaction. Almost ninety percent of male patients claimed satisfaction with functional improvement, while 68% of those who found satisfaction in improved self-confidence were females. Eighty-seven percent rated their post-surgical changes as being well accepted by their family. The impact of these findings on the success of the surgery and the need to reinforce verbal communication with printed pamphlets are emphasized.
The appearance of dental porcelains is comparable to natural teeth. This study discusses the effect of Y2O3 addition to the fluorescent property of dental porcelains. The composition of dental porcelains contained Y2O3 as the fluorescent agent and base frit. The combinations of Y2O3 added consist of a series with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 wt% respectively, based on the total composition. In the extreme condition, fluorescent agents are added from 5.0 up to 10.0 wt%. In order to enhance the fluorescent property of dental porcelains, an opacifiying agent, cerium oxide (CeO2) was also added to dental porcelains composition. The fluorescent property was determined using Spectroline EF-1400C/F that emits 240 nm wavelength ultraviolet light. The microstructure was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The result shows that, the fluorescent properties displayed are similar to natural teeth when subjected to ultraviolet light. SEM micrograph was able to show the fluorescent agent dispersed in glass phase. Increasing additions of Y2O3 gave the fluorescent properties near to natural teeth.
Orthodontic treatment in adults has gained social and professional acceptance in recent years. An assessment of orthodontic treatment need helps to identify individuals who will benefit from treatment and safeguard their interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the objective and subjective levels of orthodontic treatment need in a sample of orthodontically untreated adult Asian males. A sample of male army recruits (n = 339, age 17-22 years, Chinese = 258, Malay = 60, Indian = 21) with no history of orthodontic treatment or craniofacial anomalies participated in the study on a voluntary basis with informed consent. Impressions for study models were taken. Objective treatment need was assessed based on study model analysis using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Questionnaires were used to assess subjective treatment need based on subjective esthetic component (EC) ratings. Fifty percentage of the sample had a definite need for orthodontic treatment (dental health component [DHC] grades 4 and 5), whereas 29.2% had a moderate need for treatment (DHC grades 3). The occlusal trait most commonly identified was dental crossbite. Malay males had the highest percentage with a definite need for treatment for both dental health and esthetic reasons in comparison with Chinese and Indian males. However, there was no difference in the level of treatment need among the ethnic groups (P > .05). No correlation between objective and subjective EC scores was found (P > .05). A high level of investigator-identified treatment need was not supported by a similar level of subject awareness among the adult sample.