Compendium of Oral Science

Translucent Zirconia: Modifications and Current Classifications – A Review

Muhammad Nur Izham Khairuddin — 2025-03-01

Zirconia ceramics have undergone several modifications to improve its optical properties which expanded its indication in many clinical scenarios. Newer generations of zirconia with higher translucency and multi-layer configuration combined with high strength and biocompatibility are being developed continuously in the market. Optical properties of zirconia particularly translucency can be improved through several modifications’ techniques that utilise the understanding of its isotropic and polymorphism attributes. Various types of zirconia are now available in the market which can be classified into different parameters for selection and further aid clinicians in making accurate clinical decision making. The expanded clinical application of zirconia ceramics has been facilitated by advancements in their translucency. This progress stems from an enhanced comprehension of zirconia's intrinsic properties, which has enabled the development of innovative approaches to improve its transparency and aesthetic characteristics.

Application of Silicone Elastomers in Extraoral Prosthesis: A Narrative Review

Nadhirah Ghazali — 2025-03-01

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to review the silicone system based on the various varieties of silicone available on the market, including classification and its properties. In addition, this article looks at the recent advancement of silicone in digital workflow as it relates to the application of extraoral prosthesis, thereby providing an overview and a guidance for practicing clinicians. Materials and Methods: Electronic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases. There were no restrictions placed on the publication date up until December 2022. Following MeSH term keywords were used: ‘silicone’, ‘maxillofacial prosthesis’, ‘extraoral prosthesis’ Only relevant studies published in English journal articles are included and analysed in this review article. Results: Silicone is an unique inorganic polymer chains. Due to its unique chemical structure, silicone exhibit skin-like elasticity, resistance to heat, biocompatibility, as well as translucency, making it suitable for fabrication of extraoral prosthesis despite its shortcomings. Several physical and mechanical properties of silicone should be taken into consideration. Conclusion: The properties of silicone and its application in extraoral prosthesis, including its limitations, material considerations, and manufacturing obstacles, have been discussed. High Temperature Vulcanisation (HTV) and Room Temperature Vulcanisation (RTV) silicone are the two primary classifications for extraoral prosthesis applications. As far as is known, there are five major manufacturers of silicone for extraoral prosthesis fabrication. Silicone has considerable potential for future incorporation into digital workflows via additive manufacturing processes.

Single-Step Regenerative Endodontic of an Immature Necrotic Maxillary Incisor using Calcium Hydroxide: A 3-Year Follow-Up

Dayang Fadzlina Abang Ibrahim — 2025-03-01

Regenerative endodontic is a treatment procedure that promotes the apexogenesis of a necrotic immature permanent tooth. This case report presents the successful management of a 9-year-old anxious Malay male patient with a necrotic, immature maxillary right central incisor via a regenerative endodontic technique. The root canal was not mechanically cleaned during the treatment period but was irrigated with normal saline. The calcium hydroxide compound was used for disinfection without inducing blood clot formation. A clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed for thirty-six months where the tooth was considered asymptomatic, vital, and with a complete root formation.

Paranormal Sightings after General Anaesthesia

Farah Nur Tedin Ng — 2025-03-01

Hypnagogic hallucinations are visual, auditory, tactile, or other sensory events that are not actually present, experienced during hypnagogia, a period of transition from wakefulness to sleep. These hallucinations were reported to be brief and mostly visual in nature. We hereby report a rare incidence of this phenomenon occurring in a 61-year-old woman presented with impending Ludwig’s angina at our centre. She began experiencing hypnogogic hallucinations when she started to doze off at night after an incision and drainage procedure was carried out under general anaesthesia earlier that day. Upon closing her eyes, she had a clear view of people moving around performing chores. The events were so vivid that she was convinced they were of paranormal origin, which subsequently led to sleep deprivation. These hallucinations immediately disappeared simply by opening her eyes. She eventually sought psychiatric treatment, and the symptoms gradually decreased with full remission on postoperative day 5. Her daily appetite and behaviour were normal throughout her hospital stay. Although postoperative sleep disturbances are often described, hypnagogic hallucinations post-general anaesthesia were documented in only three cases to date following cardiovascular and orthopaedic surgery. To date, the aetiopathophysiology of this type of visual hallucination remains to be unravelled.

Parental Perceptions of Early Childhood Oral Health in Relation to Children’s Caries Experience: A Cross-Sectional Study

Alaa Sabah Hussein — 2025-03-01

Recognizing parental perception about early childhood oral health holds significance for crafting effective preventive strategies, given that parental actions and habits frequently exert considerable influence on their children's dental well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate parental knowledge and practice in the prevention of dental caries in young children and to investigate the possible association between parental knowledge and practices and their children’s caries status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents who brought their children under the age of six (n=330 pairs) to the Paediatric Dental Clinic at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. The children underwent a comprehensive dental screening while the parents completed a questionnaire regarding their child’s oral health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Results: The prevelence of early childhood caries was 76.8% and the mean dmft index was 5.50±4.88. Overall, 97.2% of parents recognized the importance of the primary teeth. However, only 46.2% were aware that the first dental examination should occur 12 months and only 66.3% believed that decayed primary teeth should be restored. Conclusion: While many parents acknowledged the importance of primary teeth, they lacked sufficient knowledge about how to appropriately address carious teeth and the recommended time for the first dental visit. Therefore, parents should receive appropriate anticipatory guidance and also come to appreciate the benefits of early dental visits in preventing caries and promoting the well-being of their children.

Ethnicity and Habits in p53 Gene Mutation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fatimah Suriati Sulaiman — 2025-03-01

Objectives: Our previous study demonstrated that 31% (n=58/18) of OSCC patients have p53 gene mutation. In this study, we investigate the relationship of ethnicity and habit to p53 gene mutation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: The present study used Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) to examine p53 gene mutation from exon 1 to 11. DNA specimens from 58 OSCC patients and 10 healthy people (controls) were used in this study. Our results demonstrated that 31% (n=58/18) of OSCC patients have p53 gene mutation. Among them 56% (n=10/18) of mutation occurred in exon 3, followed by exon 4 which was 50% (n=9/18). Result: The Malay, Indian, and Chinese ethnic groups each accounted for 28% of OSCC patients with p53 gene mutations. 56% of the individuals had a habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, or chewing betel quid.56% of the individuals had a habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, or chewing betel quid. Sixty percent (n=6) of Chinese and Malay patients have mutations in almost all exons, while Indian patients primarily have mutations in exon 4. Conclusion: Our current study suggests that further investigation is needed to understand the relationship between ethnicity, habits, and their interaction with genetic and epigenetic modifiers in exon-specific p53 mutations.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Comparison of Stingless Bee Propolis and Cisplatin against ORL-48 and HGF

Ikmal Hisham Ismail — 2025-03-01

Objectives: To assess the impact of Malaysian Heterotrigona itama (HI) propolis on the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (ORL-48) and Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGF) through comparative treatment at different concentrations and time intervals. Method: The ORL-48 and HGF cell lines were treated with varying HI propolis and cisplatin concentrations. Subsequently, the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity of HI propolis and cisplatin against ORL-48 and HGF cell lines. Result: This study discovered that HI propolis could inhibit the proliferation of ORL-48 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. From the increased treatment concentrations, the HI propolis administration to HGF cells demonstrated a proportional rise in the cell proliferation percentage of HGF cells. Nevertheless, cisplatin treatment significantly decreased the cell viability of ORL-48 cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.0036 mg/ml at 72 h (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant reduction in cell viability was observed in HGF cells. Conclusion: Propolis-based HI exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines while demonstrating lower cytotoxicity towards normal cells.

Surface Characteristics of Calcium Chloride Surface-Treated Mini Implant

Noor Ainnilwahida Alias — 2025-03-01

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the surface characteristics of surface-treated titanium orthodontic mini-implant (MI) with acid etching and immersion in different conditions (concentrations, temperature and duration) of calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Materials and Methods: Eighty-four MI by Orthodontic Microimplant AbsoAnchor® System (Dentos Inc.) were utilised in this study. Surface roughness was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively with a scanning electron micrograph (SEM)(at 50x,500x and 1000x magnifications) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) (Fei Quanta FEG 450 Environmental Electron Microscope) of the surface-treated MI with different conditions of CaCl₂ immersions; concentrations (0.01 M, 0.1 M & 1.0 M), temperature (5°C,15°C and 25°C) and duration ( 1hour, 7 hours and 24 hours). Results: Surface topography changes were observed due to increase in surface roughness of MI treated with acid etching and CaCl₂ immersions at various conditions . There was a significant difference in surface topographic changes seen by various irregularities with small cavities and protrusions were observed on surface of the MIs at different magnifications. The highest level of Ca²⁺ concentration detected was in 0.1 M at 5°C for 7 hours of CaCl₂ immersion. Conclusion: MI surface modification using CaCl₂surface treatment provided a significant difference in surface topographic changes seen between the MI groups. Hence, it increased the potential surface area of osseointegration and enhanced tissue renewal and repair. The physicochemical characteristics analysis showed a significant presence of calcium ions by % wt on the MI surface. Different temperatures, concentrations, and times of immersion did affect the availability of CaCl₂ on the MI surface and CaCl₂ condition of 0.1 M at 5°C for 7 hours of immersion was the optimum condition.

Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Streptomyces spp. isolated from Medicinal Plants of Dental Importance

Nur Aisya Syaheera Rohizan — 2025-03-01

Wide variations of plant species in Malaysia provide suitable hosts for the isolation of endophytic streptomycetes, which can be potential sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications in dentistry. Objectives: This study’s objectives were to isolate endophytic streptomycetes from medicinal plants and to evaluate their antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, a key pathogen responsible for dental caries. Methods: Endophytic streptomycetes were isolated from seven fresh plants: Mauritius papeda (Kaffir lime), Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja plant), Lawsonia inermis (Henna plant), Piper sarmentosum (Kadok), Kaempferia galanga (Cekur plant), Ziziphus mauritiana (Bidara plant), and Psidium guajava (Guava plant), using a surface-sterilization method. Different plant parts were placed on five isolation media, namely Water Agar, International Streptomyces Project (ISP) 2, ISP 4, ISP 5, and Tap Water Yeast Agar, and incubated at 37°C for up to one month. Isolates were identified by morphological characteristics and tested for antimicrobial activities through a cross-streak assay. Results: A total of 38 endophytes were successfully isolated, with 19 identified as streptomycetes. Specifically, seven, two, five, and three endophytes were isolated from stem, root, leaf, and fruit, respectively. Three endophytic streptomycetes exhibited antagonistic activity against S. mutans. Conclusion: Endophytic streptomycetes demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. mutans, indicating their potential for further development in dental applications.

Marketing Match: How Sociodemographic Influence User Acceptance of Social Marketing Appeals in Oral Health Promotion

Raja Nur Adilah Raja Abdul Rahman — 2025-03-01

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate how sociodemographic factors influence user acceptance of different social marketing appeals. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a three-armed randomized controlled trial, with the non-emotional (rational) appeal serving as the control group. We utilized an adapted, translated, and validated modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire consisting of 23 items on a five-point Likert scale to assess user acceptance. Participants were randomly assigned to watch one of three intervention videos on oral cancer, each featuring a distinct appeal: rational (Video 1), humor (Video 2), and fear-based messaging (Video 3). Results: A total of 322 participants viewed videos featuring rational (34.0%), humor (33.0%), and fear (33.0%) appeals. Gender distribution was 51.2% male and 48.8% female, with age groups comprising 34.2% in early adulthood, 33.8% in middle adulthood, and 32.0% in the elderly. Educational levels were evenly split between high school or below and tertiary education or higher, each at 50%. Overall, participants showed consistent positive acceptance across demographics for all videos (p > 0.05). Results indicated no significant differences in acceptance based on these factors, with all mean scores being positive: age (4.20-4.62), gender (4.31-4.45), education level (4.31-4.48), household income (4.23-4.49), smoking status (4.12-4.46), and marital status (3.87-4.55). Conclusions: The study revealed that sociodemographic factors do not significantly impact the overall acceptance of social marketing videos, suggesting the potential for generalized social marketing campaigns. Future research could delve deeper into how different demographic variables impact user acceptance in diverse health promotion media.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Oral Leukoplakia: A Systematic Review

Noor Azliza Wani Abd. Aziz — 2025-03-01

Objectives: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common type of oral potentially malignant disorder and has a malignancy transformation rate ranging from 0.1% to 17.5%. The rates of malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia (OL) to oral carcinoma can reach as high as 70%. Epithelial dysplasia in OL is linked to progression toward malignant transformation. We performed a systematic review (SR) to identify the epigenetic alterations and progression of OL. Methods: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO, ID: CRD42024497161. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ClinicalKey and Wiley databases from 2018 to 2023. This SR was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, and articles were selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results documented that epigenetic malignant transformation of LO involved hyper and hypo methylations CpG promoter of tumor suppressor gene, Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expressing cells in both the epithelium and the connective tissues, methylation in Retinoic Acid Receptor Beta (RARβ) promoter, involvement non-coding miRNA correlate positively with the degree of dysplasia, salivary miRNA demonstrated potential for the diagnosis and follow-up of OL patients. Conclusion: Epigenetic noncoding miRNA biomarkers have potential mechanistic roles as targets for early diagnosis and as prognostic markers for the transformation of OL cells to malignancy.