Annals of Dentistry University of Malaya

Exploring the Properties of Deer Antler Velvet (DAV) and its Potential Use in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

2023-12-18T16:46:14+08:00

For centuries, deer antler velvet (DAV) has been a staple in traditional medicine due to its numerous health benefits, including immune stimulation, anti-ageing, wound healing, and anti-osteoporosis properties. Researchers attribute the therapeutic advantages of DAV to various compounds in its extract, ranging from growth hormones to minerals and amino acids. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these natural products for their potential use in treating chronic diseases such as bone health and development, bacterial infections, and sports supplementation to increase athletic performance. The available literature supports that DAV significantly affects bone development, chondrogenesis, and antimicrobial properties, making it a valuable resource in medical and dental settings. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview of the potential applications of DAV in modern medicine and dentistry.

Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Electrolyzed Water with Sodium Hypochlorite Solution against Root Canal Pathogen: A Scoping Review

2023-12-14T15:21:21+08:00

Electrolyzed water (EW) has been introduced as a surface disinfectant due to its antimicrobial properties without cytotoxic effects to oral tissues contrary to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), which is cytotoxic and can be detrimental if extruded beyond the root canal. This scoping review aimed to compare antimicrobial efficacy of EW with NaOCl on root canal pathogens and to assess effect of concentration and exposure time on antimicrobial efficacy. The review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews protocol guidelines. Electronic databases were searched for eligible articles published between 2011-2021 in PubMed, PLOS, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment. Of the 784 articles recovered, only 8 were eligible based on inclusion criteria. The included studies assessed several types of EW, which showed antimicrobial potential against E. faecalis in vitro in suspension and biofilm forms. EW demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy comparable with NaOCl in 5 of 8 studies. Only one study found that higher concentration and exposure time increased antimicrobial efficacy of EW; other studies showed otherwise. It can be concluded that EW can be a potential alternative solution for NaOCl as an endodontic irrigant.

A Fractured Maxillary Canine Restored with a Full Ceramic Crown and Class III Malocclusion

2023-12-21T11:44:06+08:00

A perfect smile always relates to well-aligned teeth. Factors such as fracture, malocclusion, and tooth migration challenge a clinician to restore a patient’s appearance and functionality. This case report presented a 32-year-old Malay male patient concerns on his appearance because of a fractured maxillary canine due to motor vehicle accident. There has been no restoration on the tooth since three years ago. After obtaining the patient’s agreement, a full ceramic crown was constructed despite being complicated by Class III malocclusion. It is challenging to improve aesthetics and longevity for this patient with a midline shift and diastema of the lower arch, anterior cross bite of tooth 12, and an open bite between teeth 14 and 44. After discussion, the patient agreed and decided on a full ceramic crown of tooth 23 despite being challenged to achieve an ideal occlusion. The patient was satisfied with the crown’s quality and aesthetic.

Managing Recurrent Traumatic Gingival Ulceration Secondary to Aberrant Frenal Attachment with Modified Kazanjian Vestibuloplasty: A Case Report

2024-02-16T17:05:20+08:00

The current study described tooth 45 buccal high frenum attachment of a 56-year-old male patient associated with shallow vestibule adjacent to the edentulous ridge of missing tooth 46 management. The patient reported recurring traumatic ulcers on teeth 44 and 45 buccal gingiva due to frequent toothbrush slippage. The patient also requested an implant for missing tooth 46. A modified Kazanjian vestibuloplasty was performed before replacing the missing tooth. Subsequently, the patient was reviewed at one and two weeks, one month, and monthly for up to six months. The patient did not report traumatic ulcer development within the surgery site and improved plaque control. Consequently, performing mucogingival surgery in cases of inadequate keratinised tissue width, decreased vestibular depth, and high muscle pull is recommended. The procedure facilitates plaque control, reduces or halts gingival recession, and enhances comfort during tooth brushing.

Prosthodontic Rehabilitation using Maxillary Fixed Dental Prosthesis with Tenon and Mortise Stress Breaker and Mandibular Complete Denture with Metal Reinforced Base: A Case Report

2024-03-19T16:19:07+08:00

The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve teeth's natural structure and function while averting further issues with oral health. The most common treatment approach for rehabilitating one or two teeth is the insertion of a fixed dental prosthesis. This method offers a workable alternative for replacing lost teeth, and its longevity guarantees a long-term solution to prevent further oral health problems. To summarize, individuals with one or two missing teeth can have their smiles restored with a fixed dental prosthesis, which is a dependable, efficient, and effective method. To solve the prevalent problem of repeated prosthesis fractures, a single complete denture with a metal-reinforced base was utilised. This procedure offers a more durable and long-lasting solution for replacing lost natural teeth compared to traditional methods. This case study describes the thorough clinical treatment and fabrication of a pier abutment and metal denture base.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Edentulous Flabby Ridge using Modified Hobkirk Window Impression Technique: A Case Report

2024-07-25T14:47:01+08:00

Mobile denture-bearing tissues in the form of flabby ridges are susceptible to displacement under masticatory forces, leading to loss of peripheral seal. Conventional impression-making techniques may record the mobile tissue in a distorted state, adversely affecting the retention and stability of the definitive prosthesis. Hence, this case report describes a modified impression technique used to record the flabby edentulous ridge in an undisplaced state to avoid compression and rebounding of the mobile tissue. A 49-year-old male patient reported to the Department of Prosthodontics complaining of difficulty in chewing food due to missing teeth for the past one year. Intraoral examination revealed the healed edentulous ridges with flabby, displaceable tissue on the residual ridge crest with respect to the anterior segment in both maxillary and mandibular arches. Prosthetic rehabilitation using removable complete denture prosthesis was planned with definitive impressions made using modified Hobkirk technique. A modified impression technique used to record the flabby edentulous ridge in an undisplaced state to avoid compression and rebounding of the mobile tissue gave a satisfactory outcome. This technique is simple to implement and adheres to the principles of preventive prosthodontics. Periodic follow-up showed that the patient was satisfied with the prosthesis.

Nonsurgical and Surgical Approach for Management of Cyclosporine-A and Nifedipine-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

2024-05-16T16:44:12+08:00

Gingival overgrowth (GO) is primarily a result of plaque-induced inflammatory process. However, GO is a modified inflammatory response due to predisposing factors such as systemic diseases or medications used by patients. GO is an established side effect related to some medications and hence referred to as medication-induced or drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO). Over the past half a century, there has been an increasing trend in reporting of DIGO. The three main groups of predisposing medications for DIGO are anticonvulsants, immune-suppressants and calcium channel blockers. Among the calcium channel blockers, nifedipine is commonly used in the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Immunosuppressive medication, cyclosporine-A is often prescribed for patients receiving organ transplants. When these predisposing medications are prescribed singly or in combination, there is an increased risk of DIGO as a clinical manifestation. A definitive diagnosis is important in the successful management of such patients. Timely diagnosis and effective dental care oriented for preventive and early therapeutic interventions would help in preventing serious complications with functional, aesthetic and systemic implications for the patient. Close collaboration with the medical and dental teams would invariably support the notion of integrated care tailored for specific treatment needs identified in these patients.

Dental Students Perception on Online Classes

2024-06-26T11:34:52+08:00

Online learning has become the next frontier and the method of choice for some education providers. This study focuses on students’ insight on online classes and ways to improve it. The cross-sectional study was done at the Dental Faculty of the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), which include almost all undergraduate dental students who had attended online classes. In total, 179 respondents managed to answer the full set of questionnaires with thirty different questions. The data analysis reveals that mixed physical and online classes is recommended by the students to improve their learning experience and education performance. Excellent multimedia, video presentation, fast internet connection and communication is a crucial key for the success of student education. In conclusion, online learning has become an alternative to conventional teaching in dental institutions. The flexibility of the time to study and the option to pause/ playback are some of the benefits of online learning. However, not all subject in dentistry can be taught effectively in online learning. Students practical, laboratory and clinical teaching still need to be conducted physically as hands-on training is still the best. Nevertheless, online learning is still a viable teaching method for strengthening the theoretical academic part.