Background: The parallel technique stands as a prominent method for radiographic examinations aiming to identify furcation involvement. Nevertheless, an inherent limitation lies in the frequent superimposition of the trifurcation region with tooth roots, potentially leading to inaccurate diagnoses. The Same Lingual Opposite Buccal (SLOB) technique was devised to yield radiographic images that alleviate superimposition at the trifurcation of the maxillary first molar. Purpose: to observe and compare the radiographic images of the trifurcation region of the maxillary first molar generated through the SLOB technique with the film holder modification set at a mesial and distal angulation of 20˚ with the parallel technique. Methods: This observational analytic research encompassed a sample size of 24 instances. Each individual sample underwent three separate exposures: the SLOB technique with a horizontal angulation of 20˚ towards both mesial and distal directions, and the parallel technique (serving as the control). Results: a significant difference in radiographic images of the trifurcation region of the maxillary first molar obtained through the SLOB technique, employing the film holder modification with a mesial angulation of 20˚ and a distal angulation of 20˚, as opposed to the parallel technique (control). Conclusion: A radiographic image capturing the trifurcation of the maxillary first molar, devoid of superimposition, was successfully generated through the SLOB technique incorporating a horizontal angulation of 20˚ towards the distal direction.

Background: The use of plants for medicinal purposes continues to expand rapidly across the world. Up to 80% of the world's population is estimated to rely heavily on herbal medicines for their primary health care. Graptophyllum pictum leaves (GPL) have long been used as herbal medicine for several diseases or health conditions. However, until now, there have been only limited studies regarding laboratory experiments and the pharmacological effects of GPL. Purpose: To summarize the phytopharmacology aspect of GPL used for medical and dental purposes. Review(s): Based on the 36 articles included, GPL is widely used in medicine and dentistry, such as for treatment of hemorrhoids, periodontitis, and candidiasis, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. However, the current research study designs are still in vitro and in vivo experiments. Continuing experiments and clinical tests are needed to explore the essential use of the GPL. Conclusion: GPL can be used for medical and dental purposes due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Background: Pulp capping and pulpotomy are treatments for exposed pulp due to injury. Calcium hydroxide is the gold standard material in pulp capping and pulpotomy because it stimulates reparative dentin formation in exposed pulp. Calcium hydroxide has the disadvantage of causing chronic inflammation, cell necrosis, the formation of tunnel defects, and weak antibacterial properties against certain bacteria. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main catechin component of green tea and has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties against both gram-negative and positive bacteria. The addition of EGCG to calcium hydroxide has the potential to prevent chronic inflammation and improve the antibacterial properties of calcium hydroxide. Purpose: This review aims to explain the potential of the combination of calcium hydroxide and EGCG in dentistry. Review(s): EGCG has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects against Enterococcus faecalis. The addition of EGCG to calcium hydroxide has the potential to reduce the inflammatory effect and improve the antibacterial properties of calcium hydroxide. Conclusion: This review concludes that the combination of calcium hydroxide and EGCG has the potential to reduce the inflammatory effect and promote the antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide. Further research is needed to prove the potential of the combination of calcium hydroxide and EGCG in dentistry as a material for pulp capping and pulpotomy.

Background: Stem cells have been widely used in various fields of the health sector, one of which is dental health. Teeth with malocclusion require orthodontic treatment to achieve good function and aesthetics. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) occurs due to a bone remodeling process, namely deposition in areas of tension and resorption in areas of pressure. Differentiated stem cells are thought to influence OTM through several different mechanisms. Purpose: This narrative review seeks to explain how stem cells affect the mobility of orthodontic teeth. Review(s): OTM is aided by inflammatory mediators that are produced as a result of the induction of stem cells in the periodontal ligament. These mediators control osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation and proliferation, as well as bone remodeling. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are important local immune response modulators in the inflammatory milieu and have an impact on a range of immune cells. Conclusion: PDLSCs, which are included in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play a role in OTM through various mechanisms that can cause acceleration in OTM.

Background:  Nutritional insufficiency and stunting during infant growth and development also causes a delay in the ossification centers and may lead to poor skeletal and dental forms resulted in malocclusion. Early interceptive orthodontics can eliminate or reduce the severity of a developing malocclusion, the complexity of orthodontic treatment, the overall treatment time, and the cost. Proper oral and dental health knowledge and a favorable attitude toward oral and dental health are critical in preventing numerous dental issues such as malocclusion. Purpose: the aim of this community empowerment is to enhance the knowledge of preventive orthodontic treatment for malocclusion and stunting in elementary school children. Methods:  The data was collected at Miftahul Ulum Melirang's Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, or elementary school, in Melirang Village, Bungah District, Gresik, East Java. For the community empowerment program assessment, participants were requested to fill out a Google form for the pre- and post-test to identify the enhancement of knowledge about or preventative orthodontic treatment for malocclusion and stunting in primary school children. Results: The majority of the community empowerment participants understood the presentation on oral and dental health empowerment. The post-test percentage was greater (91.5%) than the pre-test rate (53.75%). Conclusion:  The dental and oral health empowerment program about preventive orthodontics, malocclusion, and stunting was effectively completed, enhancing the knowledge level of elementary school children.

Background: Red betel (Piper crocatum) is a plant that grows a lot in the tropics, especially Indonesia. The use of red betel Background: Red betel (Piper crocatum) is a plant that grows a lot in the tropical area, especially Indonesia. The use of red betel leaves for medicine is due to the fact that betel leaves contain a lot of essential oils. Purpose: To examine the antibacterial activity of red betel leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus by investigate at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Methods: This study used an in vitro laboratory experiment as its research method. The post-test only control group design experiment was used in this study, in which the experimental and control groups were not chosen at random and each of the two groups was compared. Results: Red betel leaves that had been extracted at a concentration of 100% were diluted into several concentrations, namely 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, and 3.75%. The results of this dilution obtained the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of red betel leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at a concentration of 6.25%, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value was obtained at a concentration of 12.5%. Conclusion: The MBC value in this study was in red betel leaf extract with a concentration of 12.5%, and the MIC value in this study was in red betel leaf extract with a concentration of 6.25%.

Background: The prevalence of TMD (temporomandibular disorder) in children and early adolescents varies widely. TMD can cause permanent facial deformities and affect occlusion and speech, which will affect growth, development, and quality of life. For prevention, early detection is needed. However, early detection is often not possible due to a lack of understanding of the normal shape of the condyle. Research on the normal shape of the condyle and symmetry in children and early adolescents has not been much done. Purpose: To evaluate the shape of normal condyles in a population of children and early adolescents aged 4–19 years and determine the most dominant shape and symmetry. Methods: 220 mandibular condyles of 110 children aged 4–19 years (mean 11.4 years) were analyzed retrospectively using an orthopantomograph. Condyle types in primary, mixed, and permanent dentition were categorized according to Yale (convex, rounded, flat, angled) and Chaudhry classification (oval, diamond, bird beak, crooked). Right and left mandibular condyle symmetry was observed according to a previous study by Ribeiro. Results: In primary, mixed, and permanent dentition, the most dominant condyle shapes were (Yale, Chaudhry): 91.6% rounded, 100% oval; 95.8% rounded, 97.9% oval; 98% rounded, 97% oval, respectively. Asymmetry in the right and left mandibular condyles was not found in primary dentition; there were 2 cases in mixed dentition and 3 cases in permanent dentition. Conclusion: In children and early adolescents aged 4–19 years, the normal condyles found are: rounded, convex, angled (Yale), and oval, diamond, or bird beak (Chaudhry). The condyles are dominated by rounded and oval shapes. The incidence of asymmetry in the right and left mandibular condyles probably increases with age.

Background: Dental problems are health problems that have to be taken into account, especially in Indonesia, where it is known that the correct brushing time for Indonesian people is only 2.8%. Meanwhile, in the working area of the Dringu Health Center in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, Indonesia the prevalence of dental caries in Taman Sari Village reached 46%. Purpose: This study aims to determine the knowledge of Pos Layanan Terpadu/Posyandu (Integrated Service Post)cadres from the socialization of children’s dental health illustration books activities with local languages in the working area of the Dringu Health Center, Probolinggo Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Methods: This activity is a socialization for children’s dental health illustration books using the Madurese language, involving cadres and staff of the Dringu Health Center, Probolinggo Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The increased knowledge of the participants is assessed through the results of the pre-test and post-test that have been done. Results: The results showed that there was an increase in participants knowledge by 21%. Conclusion: The socialization of dental health illustration books in local languages in the working area of the Dringu Health Center, Probolinggo Regency, East Java, Indonesia can increase participants knowledge about dental health.

Background: Oral microbiome biofilms can appear on all surfaces of the oral cavity as well as restorative materials such as Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC). GIC is considered superior because it has the ability to produce fluoride, which has a cariostatic effect, but the fluoride produced is inadequate to inhibit the growth of biofilms, so modifications were made by adding hydroxyapatite from eggshell. Purpose: To evaluate the levels of hydroxyapatite contained in chicken eggshells and to assess the description of oral microbiome biofilm density on the surface of hydroxyapatite-modified GIC from chicken eggshell synthesis. Methods: The research group was divided into a control group, namely GIC without the addition of hydroxyapatite, and a treatment group, namely GIC with the addition of 5% hydroxyapatite. The oral microbiome biofilm obtained from the voluntary dental plaque swab was cultured on the specimen surface at a time span of 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Biofilm density was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy and analyzed using ImageJ software. Results: The average density of biofilm on GIC without the addition of hydroxyapatite at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours, respectively, was 2,640.02 p/μm, 1,130.08 p/μm, 16,797.33 p/μm. Meanwhile, the GIC with the addition of hydroxyapatite was 1,921.52 p/μm, 1.029 p/μm, and 5,764.50 p/m. Conclusion: Statistical analysis performed showed that time affected the density value of the oral microbiome formed, and the two groups of materials had different effects in reducing biofilm density descriptively but statistically did not have a significant difference.  

Background: Various preventive actions are being developed to prevent dental caries. On the other hand, some of these methods can only be applied by the dentist. Therefore, it is necessary to find an alternative caries prevention method. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves extract in inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Methods: This research is experimental laboratory research and used a random sampling technique. Mango (M. indica L.) leaves extract was diluted using the double dilution method, which were 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 1.6%, 0.8%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.15%, 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.025%. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of mango (M. indica L.) leaves extract against S. mutans was determined using the agar plate thinning method. Results: The results showed no bacterial growth in the media with 100%, 50%, and 25% mango leaves extract. In addition, it was found that in media with 12.5% mango leaves extract still showed colony growth. Conclusion: Mango (M. indica L.) leaves extract in ethanol solvent has an antibacterial effect against S. mutans with the MBC value of 25%.