The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour (CEOT) is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm which was first described by Pindborg in 1955. It accounts for less than 1% of all odontogenic lesions. A case of CEOT which presented together with cardiac abnomlalities is presented here and the literature of CEOT is reviewed.
This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
secondary to orthognathic surgery (OGS) in various types of dentofacial deformities, to access the
relationship of new onset of TMD in different types of OGS to pain-related TMD and intraarticular TMD,
and to evaluate the chronic facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function, and masticatory efficiency
after OGS.
A total of 26 patients who were previously treated with OGS in University Malaya Medical Centre,
Kuala Lumpur from January 2005 to June 2015 agreed to participate. The subjects had either undergone
bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) or bimaxillary osteotomy (BIMAX). All subjects were
assessed using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (DC/TMD). Data collected from
patients’ records showed absence of TMD at presurgical stage. The present study showed 42.3% of 26
patients experienced TMD after OGS in various types of dentofacial deformities, 19.2 % of them presented
with post-operative facial pain, 30.8 % had limitation in mastication, 19.2 % experienced limitation in
mobility of the jaw, and 11.5% of them experienced limitation in verbal and emotional commences. In
conclusion, there was no association between prevalence of TMD secondary to OGS in either type
of dentofacial deformities or type of surgery involved. We also noted that the minority of the patients
suffered chronic facial pain and jaw function limitation after OGS.
Choosing the right light-curing unit can be a very difficult task for some orthodontists. Currently, there are various types of light curing units available in the market with various trade names and specifications. Most of the time information regarding light curing units is obtained from advertisements, websites or manufacturers’ catalogues. Sometimes such information can be misleading. This article attempts to provide several tips for orthodontists in selecting light curing units.
Phosphophoryn, a higWyphosphorylated protein, is the most abundant protein among the non-collagenous protein of dentine. The staining of phosphophoryn can be done by using the silver colloid staining. In this paper, the staining effect of the silver colloid stain on both non-sclerotic and sclerotic dentine was investigated. Eight teeth from donors aged 14, 17, 22, 34, 55, 57, 60 and 65 were used for this experiment. The younger teeth were used to demonstrate normal root dentine while the older age teeth were used to demonstrate sclerotic root dentine at the apical region of the root. There was no staining of the normal root dentine as compared to sclerotic dentine when the silver colloid staining was used.
The ultrastructure of the odontoblast reflects the certain phases that the cell undergoes in their lifecycle. Ultrastructure studies of the odontoblasts have often been carried out using young teeth. In this study, teeth from an older individual have been used to study the odontoblasts from the crown and root area. The odontoblasts from the crown area retain their columnar shape while odontoblasts from the root area appeared to be flattened. The organelles present in the odontoblasts either from the crown or root area was observed to be reduced.
The main aim of this study is to get the Malaysian chief dentists’ perceptions of the oral health promotion activities currently taking place in their respective states in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of these activities. A qualitative method using an open-ended questionnaire was used to obtain this information. The study samples consist of all the chief dentists in Malaysia who represented a majority of population in their states. The results showed that the main current oral health promotion activities is dental health education talks which aims to disseminate oral health information through health education talks, toothbrushing drills, dental exhibition, pamphlets, brochures and publications. Half of the respondents felt that the commitment of the staff, the support of the public sectors and collaboration with other agencies are the main strengths while the lack of staff and fund has been said as the weaknesses. A range of opportunities however exist to strengthen oral health promotion in Malaysia.
The prevalence of developmental defects of enamel was assessed in 4805 16-year-old schoolchildren in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Malaysia. In this sample, the mouth prevalence was 56.0%; tooth prevalence was 21.8%. There were significant differences between children in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, urban and rural areas as well as between the ethnic groups. However, there was no significant gender difference. Prevalences were lower than those reported in most other Asiancountries. However, direct comparisons could not be madedue to differences in indices and methodology used.
To explore the phenomenon of tongue piercing in Klang Valley. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were
conducted with piercers and those who had their tongue pierced (“piercees”) in Klang Valley. Five piercers
and eight piercees were interviewed. Piercees had their tongue pierced at age 16-25 years. Three main
reasons for tongue piercing were to enhance appearance, express their individuality, and out of curiosity.
They reported that they experienced various immediate and late complications. However, most were aware
of and expected the complications. The majority of piercers reported adequate infection control procedures
and enquired about the client’s health prior to piercing. Although some clients reported problems, such
reports were rare. Tongue piercing is an invasive procedure with some risks, but precautions such as
proper infection control procedures minimize the likelihood of encountering serious problems. The reasons
for tongue piercing varied between individuals. Although the majority of the interviewed piercers reported
cross-infection control, their knowledge of the medical risks associated with tongue piercing varied widely.
Fixed functional appliances are non-compliance dependent devices, which can assist the correction of Class II malocclusion. The mechanics of the fixed functional appliances may vary depending on the type of device used. We report the observed biomechanical effects of using the ForsusTM Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) fixed functional appliance. The patient was a 14-year-old female presented with a Class II division I malocclusion on a Class II skeletal base. The malocclusion was complicated by a 10mm overjet and increased traumatic overbite. She was treated with the ForsusTM FRD appliance worn for 5 months after the alignment with fixed appliances (0.022” X0.028” MBT prescriptions) and finished on a non-extraction base. Dento-alveolar changes were the main contribution to the correction of the malocclusion and simultaneously improved the patient’s profile in the end of treatment. In conclusion, ForsusTM FRD appliance can be suggested to effectively correct Class II malocclusion.
This report aimed to describe an effective biomechanics to control the upper incisors inclination during the
correction of gummy smile with bimaxillary proclinations. A 14-year-old female presented with a Class II
division I incisor relationship complicated with bimaxillary proclination on a Class 2 skeletal base. The lips
were incompetent, showing 7 mm of upper incisors at rest and 5mm maxillary gingival display on smiling
with normal upper lip length. Treatment involved extraction of all first permanent premolars followed by
upper and lower fixed appliances. Intrusion of the upper incisors with controlled labial crown torque was
accomplished with mini-implant anchorage placed bilaterally on the infrazygomatic crests with the retraction
forces above the centre of resistance using 0.019x0.025-in stainless steel archwire in 0.022-in slot. The
0.019x0.025-in stainless steel archwire in 0.022-in slot provided the vertical play to favour lingual crown
tipping despite having forces above the centre of resistance for concurrent anterior segment intrusion.
A late adolescent patient presented with a Class III malocclusion on a skeletal Class III base, complicated by severe upper arch and moderate lower arch crowding, reverse overjet, anterior and bilateral posterior crossbites with displacement, proclined upper incisors, retroclined lower incisors, distally tipped lower canines and non-coincident centrelines. Treatment was undertaken on an extraction basis by employing the use of an upper removable appliance with Z-springs and posterior bite blocks to correct the anterior crossbite, quad helix and jockey arch for arch expansion, and pre-adjusted edgewise fixed appliance to level and align, space closure and achieve a mutually protective functional occlusion. This paper discussed the rational and evidences behind the treatment employed.
The study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with their orthodontic treatment outcome and type of cases accepted for orthodontic treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (UM) and to audit the quality of treatment outcome. The standard set were 100% patient should be satisfied with their treatment outcome and less than 5% of the proportion of cases should fall in the “worse/no different’ category with a mean reduction of Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) score being greater than 70%. Records of cases that had completed orthodontic treatment were traced. Survey forms were sent to 150 patients that had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their intact study models were assessed for the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and PAR. 21.3% responded to the survey, of which 59.4% had treatment involving fixed appliances and 37.6% had either removable or functional appliances or retainers. 93.8% respondents were satisfied with their dental alignment and 87.5% with the overall treatment results. For the dental health component of the IOTN, 63.3% had ‘definite need’ and 21.1% had ‘borderline need’ for treatment. For the aesthetic component of the IOTN, 24.2% had ‘definite need’ and 32.0% had‘borderline need’ for treatment. For the PAR, 8.0% had an outcome of “worst/no different”. The mean PAR reduction score was 75.3%. In conclusion, although majority were satisfied with their treatment results, there is still a need to improve on the standard of care to address the issues of the minority who were not satisfied with the treatment outcome.
The audit aimed to investigate the availability of
orthodontic instruments and materials at Faculty of
Dentistry, University of Malaya. The standard was set as
100% of instruments and materials should be available
when required for orthodontic treatment. The form
comprised of six sections, which listed the commonly
used instruments and materials involved in the procedures
of impression taking, fitting and removal of molar bands,
bonding and debonding of orthodontic brackets and
activation of orthodontic appliances. The fifth section listed
the less commonly used instruments and materials and a
part for the clinician to list down instruments that were
used but not listed in the form. Whilst the last section is for
the clinician to list down the instruments or materials that
were not available when requested. A total of 567 forms
were completed and it was found that 97.6% instruments
and 98.6% materials were available. Overall, 22 types of
instruments were temporary not available with frequency
mean of 2.1 (Minimum: 1; Maximum: 7) whilst 6 types of
materials were temporary not available with a frequency
mean of 2.3 (Minimum: 1; Maximum: 8). In conclusion,
majority of the instruments and materials required during
orthodontic clinical sessions were available. The check list
of frequently used orthodontic instruments and materials
from this audit could aid inventory and help future
management of the material and instruments.
This clinical audit is aimed to provide an insight into the performance of dental technicians in rendering
fixed prosthodontics services at Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. A retrospective audit was
carried out between 1st of November 2014 and 31st January 2015 using data derived from records and
monthly returns of the technicians, which are kept at the ceramic laboratory. Retrospective data on
cases of diagnostic wax-ups, full metal crowns, metal ceramic crowns, all ceramic crowns and bridges
that were sent to ceramic laboratory for fabrication from 1st of September 2013 to 31st of August 2014
was systematically extracted from the record and tabulated categorically in SPSS version 22.0. The
turnaround time in workings day for diagnostic wax-ups and the prostheses was calculated by deducting
exit date from entry date. Subsequently, the turnaround time and the complexity of cases were categorized
accordingly. The association of turnaround time and the complexity of the cases was analysed using
Fisher Exact test with p value < 0.05. Within this time frame, a total of 102 cases of diagnostic waxups,
36 cases of crown and 18 cases of bridges were fabricated. 57.8% of diagnostic wax-ups were
completed within 3 days. 100% of 1 unit crown were completed within 7 days and 94.4% of bridges were
completed within 14 days. There was a significant association of turnaround time and the complexity of
the cases for diagnostic wax-ups and crowns with p value
The gram-positive, mesophilic and non-motile coccus Streptococcus gordonii is an important causative agent of infective endocarditis (IE). This pioneer species of dental plaque also causes bacteraemia in immune-supressed patients. In this study, we analysed the genome of a representative strain, Streptococcus gordonii SK12 that was originally isolated from the oral cavity. To gain a better understanding of the biology, virulence and phylogeny, of this potentially pathogenic organism, high-throughput Illumina HiSeq technology and different bioinformatics approaches were performed. Genome assembly of SK12 was performed using CLC Genomic Workbench 5.1.5 while RAST annotation revealed the key genomic features. The assembled draft genome of Streptococcus gordonii SK12 consists of 27 contigs, with a genome size of 2,145,851 bp and a G+C content of 40.63%. Phylogenetic inferences have confirmed that SK12 is closely related to the widely studied strain Streptococcus gordonii Challis. Interestingly, we predicted 118 potential virulence genes in SK12 genome which may contribute to bacterial pathogenicity in infective endocarditis. We also discovered an intact prophage which might be recently integrated into the SK12 genome. Examination of genes present in genomic islands revealed that this oral strain
might has potential to acquire new phenotypes/traits including strong defence system, bacitracin
resistance and collateral detergent sensitivity. This detailed analysis of S. gordonii SK12 further improves our understanding of the genetic make-up of S. gordonii as a whole and may help to elucidate how this species is able to transition between living as an oral commensal and potentially causing the lifethreatening condition infective endocarditis.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of periodontal disease and level of knowledge of the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease amongst subjects who were smokers verses non-smokers.
Methods: A questionnaire looking at knowledge of respondents regarding gum disease and knowledge and awareness about oral impacts of smoking on periodontal disease was developed and pretested in Dental Faculty University of Malaya. Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) index was used to assess periodontal status.
Results: The questionnaire was answered by 130 subjects. Prevalence of smoking was 14.6%. A total of 58.6% non-smokers and 57.9% smokers knew about periodontal disease. However, only 26.1% non-smokers and 10.5% smokers knew that the cause for periodontal disease was plaque. More non-smokers than smokers knew that smoking affected periodontal health (80.2% and 68.4% respectively) (p>0.05) and tooth mobility was an effect of smoking on periodontal health (27.0% and 0%) (p<0.05). Regarding source of information on effect of smoking on periodontal health, 63.2% smokers and 63.1% non-smokers reported obtaining information through the mass media. However, only 31.6% smokers and 28.8% non-smokers were informed by their dentist.
Conclusion: The awareness of periodontal disease and knowledge of the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease was low in this selected population of smokers and non-smokers.
Keywords: Awareness, knowledge, periodontitis, smoking
Study site: Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
To evaluate patient’s subjective preferences to scaling with narrow probe-shaped EMS Perio Slim PS tips
compared to conventional tip based on pain perception using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Ten patients
were treated using a piezoelectric ultrasonic device (EMS) and two different scaler tips representing a
conventional scaler tip and a Perio Slim PS scaler tip in a split-mouth design. Pain was evaluated after 2
minutes scaling using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Data obtained was analysed by SPSS version 19.0 using
Wilcoxon test. Pain assessment after treatment confirmed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) showed that
the Perio Slim PS scaler tip (maximum pain score: 4, minimum: 2) caused less pain than the conventional
scaler tip (maximum: 8, minimum: 3) (p-value = 0.007). Using Perio Slim PS scaler tip caused less pain and
discomfort during scaling treatment when compared with conventional scaler tip.
Simulated canals in clear resin blocks have been widely used in pre-clinical endodontic teaching. The artificial canal provides direct visualisation of procedures in root canal treatment. Stanuardised simulated root canals have been produced in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya for dental education and research. The canals are easy and inexpensive to construct. An outline of the method of construction of resin simulated canals is presented in this paper.
Background: Majority of root canal treatment in Malaysia was provided by general dental practitioner. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice (canal’s preparation, use of materials) by them. Methods: A questionnaire was structured and distributed to 120 registered general dental practitioners in selected areas in Perak, Johor and Klang Valley regarding the provision of root canal therapy in their practices. The questionnaires were hand delivered and collected after 1 to 2 weeks. Results: Reply rate was 95% (n=114). The result demonstrated that 62% respondents indicated that they performed the root canal therapy (RCT) themselves. Out of these only 26% included molars in the treatment. Three quarters of them (77%) used step-back technique and 54% used stainless steel instruments to prepare the canals. The majority of the respondents (69%) used calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicaments. Only 30% used rubber dam for isolation whereas the rest used cotton rolls. The numbers of routine radiographs taken were two for anterior teeth and three for molar. Half of the respondents indicated that they usually completed the RCT for the anterior tooth within two visits whereas three visits were needed for the molar tooth. The results were analyzed descriptively. Conclusions: This study indicates that most of the general dental practitioners’ do not comply with quality standards guidelines such as use of rubber dam as isolation. Cotton roll was the most popular isolation method. In spite of this, most of the respondents tend to update their knowledge and practices with current techniques and materials.