The goal of the present study was to determine the minimum thickness of monolithic zirconia required to achieve an acceptable masking ability and to examine how brand, thickness, and abutment substrate influenced that masking ability (∆E). Seventy-two A2-shade monolithic zirconia disc specimens in various thicknesses (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) were fabricated using three brands: Nacera® Pearl 1, DD cubeX2 and XTCERA TT. A spectrophotometer was used to determine the CIELab values of the specimens, which were placed on a D4-shade resin composite and white acrylic (control) substrates. The ∆E was calculated and compared with the acceptable (AT = 5.5) and perceptible (PT = 2.6) tolerance thresholds. Further investigation was conducted on 72-disc specimens from the monolithic zirconia brand with the best masking ability on D3-shade resin composite and semi-precious alloy. Using two-way ANOVA, the interaction of thickness, brand, and abutment substrate on ∆E was investigated. Nacera® Pearl 1 at 1.5 mm thickness was sufficient to achieve AT on a D4-shade resin composite substrate, whereas 2.0 mm of DD cubeX2 and XTCERA TT were required. Nacera® Pearl 1 further testing on two other substrates requires thicknesses of 1.5 mm and 1.0 mm, respectively. Only the Nacera® Pearl 1 group achieved PT on D3- and D4-shade resin composite (2.0 mm) and semi-precious alloy substrates (1.5 mm). Brand, thickness, and abutment substrate influenced the ∆E (p < 0.001). To achieve an acceptable masking ability, the minimum thickness of monolithic zirconia tested on D3- and D4-shade resin composite and semi-precious alloy should be around 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

The study aimed to explore the relationship between Malay females’ facial attractiveness with golden ratio, neoclassical canons, “ideal” ratios and “ideal” angles; and to compare self-perceived facial attractiveness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Malay females with different skeletal patterns. Sixty-four young Malay female participants each completed a set of self-administered questionnaires and have five facial photographs taken. The self-assessed satisfaction with facial appearance and HRQoL were compared between participants with different dentoskeletal patterns. Seventy-seven facial anthropometry parameters related to the golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ideal ratios and ideal angles were measured. Subsequently, 15 sets of photographs representing different skeletal patterns were randomly selected. A panel of juries evaluated facial attractiveness using a 7-point Likert scale. The correlation between facial attractiveness and measured parameters was studied. Results indicated that mean rank FACE-Q Rasch scores of participants’ self-rated satisfaction on their facial appearance and HRQoL were not significantly different statistically (p = 0.06–0.81) between Class I, II and III. One hundred and eighty juries (mean 24.33±3.82 years old) were recruited. No statistically significant correlations found between facial attractiveness rated by juries and measured parameters related to the golden ratio (r = –0.47 to 0.36; p = 0.08 to 0.98), neoclassical canons (r = –0.27 to 0.43; p = 0.11 to 0.96), ideal ratios (r = –0.32 to 0.47; p = 0.08 to 0.96) and ideal angles (r = –0.23 to 0.28; p = 0.31 to 0.92). In conclusion, the study found that the golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ideal ratios, and ideal angles were not found to be correlated with the facial attractiveness of Malay females. Therefore, these guidelines should be used with discretion during treatment planning and outcome assessment for this specific ethnic group.

This study aimed to compare the push-out bond strength (PBS) between a new porous titanium post (PTP) and other marketed dental posts cemented with two types of dual-cure resin cement. A total of 96 extracted single-rooted human teeth were recruited. Four types of dental posts (n = 24 each), namely: stainless steel post (SSP), commercially-pure titanium post (CTP), fibre glass post (FGP), and PTP were cemented with two types of resin cements (RelyX U200 and ParaCore) and then sectioned at coronal and middle root levels. The specimens were subjected to a PBS test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The interface analysis was performed using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant for all statistical tests. PBS recordings showed that the highest PBS mean value in RelyX group was 2.68±1.10 MPa for PTP. The differences in PBS between PTP and SSP and FGP were not significant (p = 0.098 and p = 0.075, respectively). The null hypothesis for RelyX group at both coronal and middle sections of the root was retained (p > 0.05). No failure at the post-cement interface was found in the PTP group, which was founder superior over the other posts (no gap for this interface was observed). The PTP showed similar bonding strength and adhesion to the other tested posts when using RelyX U200 cement. The PTP can be considered a new alternative option for the dental post system.

Idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) represents asymptomatic radiopaque masses within the jaw. IO is commonly found as an incidental finding in panoramic radiographs. The purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of IO among Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Dental Centre patients and to investigate the radiographic parameters of IO located in the maxilla-mandibular region. Panoramic radiographic images of patients attending UiTM Dental Centre from 2016 to 2020 were examined. Parameters such as gender, age, site, shape, size, and association with tooth were evaluated. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 27. Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between the parameters. IO was identified in 108 (9.67%) out of 1,117 panoramic radiographic images that were reviewed. There was a slightly higher prevalence of IO in female patients with 58 (53%) over male patients. Most of the radiographically identified IO were located in the posterior mandibular region, constituting 83% of the cases. Pearson chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between size and gender (p-value < 0.05). Significant associations were found between site and gender and association with tooth and foci (p-value < 0.01). The prevalence of IO among UiTM Dental Center patients was observed to be low at 9.67%. There was a higher occurrence of IO in female patients compared to males, and the posterior mandibular region emerged as the most common site where IO was radiographically identified. The accurate radiographic identification of IO is essential for providing a precise diagnosis and formulating an appropriate treatment plan.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate only (CP) are the most common orofacial deformities observed in humans where almost 1 in 700 to 1 in 2,000 babies born each year are affected worldwide. This condition occurs when the specific and independently derived facial primordial fails to fuse together, hence forming the cleft of the lip and palate or the palate alone. These orofacial abnormalities can be divided into syndromic and non-syndromic where the deformities are either associated with other disorders or present on their own, respectively. It is important to understand every step in the lip and palate development during the embryonic stage to pinpoint the exact problem affecting the normal development of the human face. With current technologies, more genes are identified to be associated with and cause CLP and CP in humans. Therefore, this review aims to elaborate on the latest updates on the genetics of CLP and CP. Polymorphism in some of the genes has been associated with the incidence of these anomalies. Identification of these genes provides new knowledge on how these craniofacial abnormalities occur and hopefully will enable earlier treatment of these deformities to be implemented.

This study aimed to investigate the irrigation dynamics of the positive pressure side-vented (SV) needle, EndoVac (micropores) needle and modified apical negative pressure (mANP) open-ended needle using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A simulation of a prepared root canal (conical frustum) of 15 mm length with an apical diameter of 0.40 mm following Protaper F4 apical preparation was created using three-dimensional (3D) CAD software. The 3D simulated needle of SV 30G needle, EndoVac with micropores needle and mANP, 30G flat open-ended needle were also created. The irrigation dynamics were evaluated through transient CFD simulations. In addition, the irrigation dynamics of mANP at 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1.0 mm short from the working length were also assessed. The EndoVac and mANP showed negative apical static pressure and streamline patterns able to reach the apical region, thus indicating negligible extrusion. Meanwhile, SV showed positive apical static pressure and almost nonexistent streamlines beyond the needle tip. The SV showed the highest wall shear stress (WSS) magnitude of 1030Pa whereas Endovac (161 Pa) and mANP1 (258 Pa). However, SV revealed lower average WSS (10 Pa) compared to mANP1 (13 Pa) and mANP2 (11 Pa). This is due to SV developed a localised maximum WSS opposite the open vent area only therefore, uneven distribution of WSS. The EndoVac system developed a localised maximum WSS in the pair of micropores furthest away from the apical. CFD analysis of the EndoVac, mANP and SV showed different technique approach, needle design and needle depths insertion affect the irrigation dynamics pattern and magnitude.

Dental Practicality Index (DPI) and American Association of Endodontists Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment (AAECDA) form potentially can guide clinicians in making clinical decisions and triaging in large practices and academic settings. Nonetheless, the reliability and validity should be evaluated before institution-wide implementation. This study aimed to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the DPI and AAECDA forms. Ten randomly selected, trained students rated 25 cases with both forms. The itemby-item inter-rater and overall reliability were estimated with Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC2) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. The association between clinical decisions and the scores was analysed with the Generalised Estimating Equation. The inter-rater reliability of DPI was generally very good (AC2 = 0.81–1.00), except context (good; AC2 = 0.718; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.575–0.861). The inter-rater reliability of AAECDA was generally very good (AC2 = 0.81–1.00) and good (AC2 = 0.61–0.80), except the radiographic appearance of the canal(s) (fair; AC2 = 0.424, 95% CI = 0.263–0.585). Moderate overall inter-rater reliability of AAECDA (ICC = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.38–0.70) and DPI (ICC = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.48–0.77) was observed. Referral to an endodontist was positively associated with AAECDA score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.323, 95% CI = 1.145–1.52, p < 0.001). The decision of tooth extraction was positively associated with the DPI score (OR = 1.983, 95% CI = 1.539–2.555; p < 0.001). In conclusion, DPI and AAECDA are methods with moderate inter-rater reliability when used among dental students.

Resin-based pit fissure sealants (RBS) are used to prevent occlusal caries in children. The success of RBS in preventing dental caries is largely influenced by its retention on the tooth surface, which is also affected by its physicomechanical properties. The physicomechanical properties of RBS can be enhanced through the addition of fillers. With the advent of nanofillers, the physicomechanical properties were improved without altering RBS flowability. The present study developed an RBS with a 70 wt% resin matrix and 30 wt% nanofillers. The resin matrix consisted of urethane dimethacrylate (55 wt%), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (45 wt%), camphoroquinone (0.3 wt%), and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (0.7 wt%). Silane-treated rice husk-derived nanosilica (20 wt%) and nanohydroxyapatite (10 wt%) were added as fillers. Clinpro, Fissurit FX, and an unfilled sealant were controls. All RBS were tested for surface roughness, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, and flowability. Statistical analysis with oneway ANOVA revealed significant differences between groups in surface roughness, hardness, flowability (p < 0.001), flexural strength, and flexural modulus (p < 0.05). Experimental sealants had higher flexural strength (78 MPa) and flow distance (29.05+1.16 mm) than commercial controls. However, the surface roughness of experimental sealants (0.25+0.08 µm) was higher than Clinpro (0.087+0.027 µm) but lesser than Fissurit FX (0.35+0.19 µm). The Vickers hardness of experimental sealants (23+1.63 VHN) was less than Fissurit FX (28.80+1.69 VHN) but higher than Clinpro (21.74+1.68 VHN). This novel RBS had physicomechanical properties comparable to commercial sealants. The use of nanosilica from rice husk makes this pit and fissure sealer sustainable and environmentally friendly in dentistry.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant and multisystemic disorder affecting the connective tissues. Patients with MFS may exhibit characteristic oral features including maxillary protrusion, high palate, crowded teeth, and fragility of the temporomandibular joint. Periodontal manifestations may include a higher prevalence of gingivitis and/or periodontitis owing to the high concentration of elastic fibres in the periodontal ligament. This case report describes the management of gingival enlargement associated with MFS. The patient was successfully managed with non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy. In patients with oral manifestations of systemic disorders, patient motivation and effective treatment planning are able to achieve the optimum periodontal and oral health outcomes.

Naval armed forces are commonly prone to stressors during military activities which are associated with their working environment. This can adversely impact the oral health of these personnel. This scoping review aimed to explore the literature concerning oral health among naval personnel. Relevant articles that reported oral health among naval armed forces published from 1990 to December 2022 were retrieved from five main databases. Of the 641 articles searched, 15 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Occurrences of caries, periodontal disease and barodontalgia were high among the naval armed forces, with a significant number of dental emergencies during deployment and training operations. The dental diseases and emergencies experienced by the naval personnel on duty may influence their performance during missions. Given the far-reaching effects of dental diseases among personnel in the naval armed forces, further prospective studies with standardised report investigating oral health and dental diseases are recommended. Oral health services in the naval armed forces can also be improved by increasing the dentist-to-navy personnel ratio both at the military bases and on board the vessels during missions, as well as designing preventive strategies to improve oral health among the naval personnel.