The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and
interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among stroke survivors in relation to
the oral hygiene status and stroke characteristics. Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional
study was conducted among hospitalised stroke survivors. Socio-demographic data were
collected. Oral clinical assessment (dental plaque scores) and functional dependency levels
scores were carried out. Gingival Crevicular Fluids were collected, using absorbent papers
and analysed using ELISA kit. Descriptive statistic and correlation analyses were performed
using proportion and Spearmen correlation coefficient test. Results: A total of 53 patients were
recruited from five public hospitals. There was a significant correlation between CRP and IL-6
levels of GCF (P=0.021, r=0.21). A significant correlation was also observed between CRP
levels in GCF with dental plaque scores and functional dependency levels. There was no
statistically significant correlation found between IL-6 levels in GCF with dental plaque scores
and functional dependency levels. Dental plaque scores were associated with high levels of
CRP in GCF (P=0.014), and swallowing problem was associated with high levels of IL-6 in
GCF (P=0.002). Conclusions: IL-6 levels in GCF were correlated with the levels of CRP in
GCF. High CRP and IL-6 levels in GCF were significantly associated with dental plaque scores
and swallowing condition (presence of dysphagia), respectively. Thus, this pilot study suggests
that CRP level in the oral cavity respond to the oral health conditions and may not be a
predictor factor of stroke outcomes. Further studies are warranted to compare the level of
inflammatory biomarkers from the oral cavity and serum in relation to the stroke conditions and
outcomes.
Objectives: To evaluate the marginal microleakage of Class II cavities restored with various types of composite resins.
Materials and Methods: Standard Class II slot cavities were prepared at the proximal surfaces of 40 intact premolars which were divided into 4 groups. Four types of composite resins (Esthet-X-Denstply, USA, FiltekTMZ350- 3M ESPE, USA, Beautifil- Shofu, Japan and Solare P-GC, Japan) were used to restore the slot cavities. All the specimens were thermocycled and immersed in 0.5% basic fuschin dye for 24 hours. The specimens were then sectioned in mesio-distal direction. The marginal microleakage at the occlusal and cervical margin was scored using the ISO microleakage scoring system. Data was entered using SPSS Version 12.0 and analyzed using STATA software programme.
Results and discussion: All composite resins exhibited worse microleakage at the cervical margin compared to occlusal margin. Esthet-X showed significantly better microleakage score at the occlusal margin compared to Beautifil and Solare P. FiltekTMZ350 and Beautifil showed mainly microleakage into enamel only at the occlusal margin. Solare P demostrated better resistance against microleakage at the cervical margin compared to other composite resin tested. Esthet-X, Filtek Z350 and Beautiful is not significantly different from each other in terms of microleakage at the cervical margin.
Conclusion: This study showed that none of the materials used in this study is able to eliminate microleakage. Composite resin restorations exhibited worse micorleakage at cervical margin in comparison to occlusal margin.
Introduction: A few studies investigated the numerous potential endodontic uses of CBCT, including the
examination of root canal morphology and presumed that CBCT was effective for the initial identification of
such morphology; moreover CBCT is a reliable method for the detection of the MB2 canal when compared
with the gold standard of physical sectioning of the specimen. The aim of this study was to identify the root
and canal morphology of the maxillary first molars among Malaysians analysed by cone-beam computed
tomography (CBCT) images.
Materials and Methods: Maxillary first (n = 421) molars from Malaysian patients
(n = 241) of Malay, Chinese and Indians inceptions were examined by two Endodontists using in vivo CBCT
methods. The number and configuration of roots, the number of root canals, and the canal configuration
according to Vertucci’s classification were determined.
Results: Single roots were not found in maxillary
first molars. The incidence of fused roots was 1.995% in the first molars between mesiobuccal and
distobuccal roots. In (421) 3-rooted maxillary first molars, additional canals were found in 45.6% of the
mesiobuccal (MB) roots and 0% of the distobuccal (DB) roots. Bilateral symmetry of the MB roots was found
in 82.36% of the first molar. Only one tooth was found to have pulp stone inside the pulp chamber.
Conclusions: The root and canal configuration of a Malaysian population showed different features from
those of other populations. CBCT scans can enhance the understanding of root canal anatomy, with the
potential of improving the outcome of endodontic treatment.
This study was carried out to evaluate the microleakage of Class II cavities restored with various types of lining materials. Four types of composite resins (Esthet-X-Denstply, USA, FiltekTMZ350-3M ESPE, USA, Beautifil- Shofu, Japan and Solare P-GC, Japan) were used and the lining were the Fuji IXGP (GC, Japan), the Beautifil flow (Shofu, Japan), the FiltexTMZ350 flow (3M ESPE, USA) and the Esthet-X flow (Denstply, USA). All the specimens were thermocycled and immersed in 0.5% basic fuschin dye for 24 h. The microleakage was scored using the ISO microleakage scoring system. The data were entered using SPSS version 12.0 and analyzed using STATA software programme. This study showed that none of the materials used in this study was able to eliminate microleakage. However, it was shown that the glass ionomer cement was better in reducing the incident of microleakage at the cervical margin. Among the flowable composite resin, FiltexTMZ350 flow showed less microleakage at the cervical margin.
This study was to evaluate the microbial contamination level in direct water supply at the Polyclinic, Faculty of Dentistry, USIM, Malaysia. Water samples were collected randomly from water supplied via the cup filler outlet of 20 dental units and 20 side water taps at Level 16 and 17 of Polyclinic, Faculty of Dentistry, USIM. All the samples were placed and spread evenly on the surface of prepared agar media (the nutrient agar) using the spread technique. Each sample consists of 0.5 mL water. The microbial count was done using a magnifying glass and the total number of bacteria concentration was reported as colony forming unit in 1 mL of water (cfu/mL). In this study water from an aquarium was used as positive control with 220 cfu/mL, while the distilled water taken from the CSSD was used as negative control with no colony of microorganism. The study demonstrated that there were low contamination before the treatment that was beginning of the session in water supplied via the cup filler outlet and side water tap from the sink with 2 cfu/mL. However, two cup fillers water and one side water taps from Polyclinic level 17 showed a slightly higher bacterial colonies with 4 cfu/mL and 6 cfu/mL of microbes. At the end of the session, result showed that higher bacterial count from Polyclinic level 17 than Polyclinic level 16 with the highest reading of 40 cfu/mL. The findings were considered low and the water was safe for the dental procedures. The quality of water supplied at the Faculty of Dentistry, USIM was within the limits recommended by the American Dental Association, i.e. bacterial loads of not more than 200 cfu/mL for dental procedures.
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dental plaque removal and to determine factors that could influence its efficacy when using the non-dominant hand. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was per- formed on a group of dental students. Dominant hands were determined using Edinburg Handedness Inventory ques- tionnaire, and the dental plaque scores were examined using Quigley-Hein (Turesky) index. All of the participants were examined twice for dental plaque index scores. Data obtained was analyzed using a paired t-test and an inde- pendent t-test. Factors which influenced the dental plaque removal were listed and categorized accordingly. Results: A total of 62 dental undergraduates participated in the study. A high percentage of them, (71%, n = 44) were found to be right-handed. There was a significant increase in the dental plaque score for the left-handed participants, from baseline (use of the dominant hand) to follow-up appointment (after brushing their teeth with non-dominant hands) (p< 0.01). A significant change was found between the right- and left-handed participants in the first quadrant of the buccal side (p