Introduction: Dental plaque is a soft biofilm that accumulates on the tooth surface and around the gingival margin. If not properly managed, it can lead to oral diseases such as gingivitis. The manual assessment of the Plaque Index (PI) has several limitations, including variability in the number of teeth examined, assessor subjectivity, and potential inaccuracy, particularly at low or high plaque levels. To overcome these challenges, a technology-based approach is needed to enhance standardization and consistency. This study aims to compare the calculation time of PI using a Digital Dental Calculator (DDC) app and the conventional manual method. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a one-group posttest-only design was conducted among 70 dental students at Universitas Baiturrahmah who had completed the periodontics module and met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants performed PI calculations using both manual and digital methods under standardized conditions. The time required for each method was measured in seconds. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) and the Mann–Whitney U test to compare calculation times between the two methods, with a significance level of p < 0.05. All analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Results: The mean PI calculation time using the manual method was 178.74 seconds, while the digital DDC method required 143.97 seconds, showing a mean difference of 34.77 seconds. Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference between the two methods (p < 0.001), indicating that the DDC significantly reduced PI calculation time. Conclusion: The use of the Digital Dental Calculator (DDC) significantly shortened the time required to calculate the Plaque Index compared to the manual method. These findings highlight the potential of digital tools to improve efficiency, standardization, and accuracy in both clinical and educational dental settings.
Introduction: South Kalimantan, known as the second largest coal supplier in Indonesia, is associated with the presence of significant quantities of coal dust in the environment. Coal dust contains various substances that are carcinogenic and cytotoxic. Direct contact of coal dust to the oral cavity is at risk of gene polymorphism resulting in the manifestation of diseases in the mouth. The study aimed to explore the relationship between gene polymorphisms affecting oral health conditions and coal dust exposure through a systematic review. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Crossref, Scopus, Web of Science, Lens, and Semantic Scholar databases was conducted for English peer-reviewed articles (1/1/2004–15/9/2024) on oral-related gene polymorphisms from coal dust exposure in humans, animals, and cells. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with a narrative synthesis of the findings. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) and Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies (QUIN). Result: Overall 17 studies were included. From all 6.703 case-control, 136 in vivo participants and 60 cell samples showed that gene polymorphisms were more frequent in the coal dust-exposed group compared to the non-exposed group and the healthy group. Predisposing factors such smoking, length of time, and age contribute to triggering oral gene polymorphisms. The limitation of this research was the limited number of studies discussing gene polymorphisms due to coal dust exposure directly to the oral cavity, which affected the representativeness of the articles. Conclusion: There are polymorphisms in 11 oral-related genes (AhR, CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, hOGG1, IL6, IL1B, NQO1, TNF, TP53, and XRCC1) after coal dust exposure, presenting genotoxic and mutagenic potential.
Introduction: Dental composite resins offer aesthetic appeal and high wear resistance; however, their physical properties may diminish after exposure to colored foods or mouthwashes. We explore Bidara leaf (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) extract as an alternative mouthwash due to its rich content of bioactive compounds. The study aims to analyze the color change and surface roughness of nanofiller composite resins after immersion in Bidara leaf ethanol extract. Methods: This research was an experimental study. The resin composite samples were divided into four groups; each group consisted of 3 specimens (n=3): Group 1 (negative control) immersed in distilled water; Group 2 (positive control) immersed in 0.2% chlorhexidine; and Groups 3 and 4 soaked in 4.5% and 20% ethanol extracts of Bidara leaf, respectively. The specimens were cylindrical with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. All specimens were the same size, shape, and color, with flat surfaces and no cracks or stains. Samples were immersed for two minutes daily over one month. Color changes were analyzed using a stereomicroscope and the CIELab color system with Adobe Photoshop, while surface roughness was assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results: Color changes show ΔE>3.3 indicating a visible difference. The most significant color change occurrs in Group 4, followed by Groups 3, 2, and 1. One-way ANOVA shows a statistically significant color change (p<0.05). Surface roughness also increases, with Group 4 (0.138±0.066 μm) displaying the greatest roughness compared to Group 3 (0.122±0.061 μm), Group 2 (0.122±0.076 μm), and Group 1 (0.054±0.012 μm). Based on the one-way ANOVA test, the results show no significant differences (p>0.05) between the pre- and post-immersion. Conclusion: Although changes in surface roughness were not statistically significant, the ethanol extract of Bidara leaf influences the color and surface roughness of the nanofiller dental composite.
Introduction: Periodontitis is a complex, multifactorial inflammatory disease of tooth-supporting tissues that can impair quality of life if left untreated. Therefore, treatment that can improve good clinical outcomes and last for a long time is needed. This case report aims to present the periodontal regenerative therapy of a patient with stage 3 grade B periodontitis using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) combined with bovine bone graft and pericardium membrane. Case report: A 36-year-old female patient presented for treatment of her lower anterior teeth. She complained of gum bleeding, tooth mobility and discomfort when chewing food for one year. Clinical examinations showed deep periodontal pockets and alveolar bone loss up to half the length of the root of teeth 31 and 41. After the initial phase treatment, which comprises scaling and root planning, teeth contact point repairment, extra coronal fiber splint installation and occlusal adjustment are performed. The surgical phase treatment of regenerative therapy is then performed using PRF combined with bovine bone graft and pericardium membrane. Conclusion: Regenerative periodontal treatment using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) combined with bovine bone graft and pericardium membrane is proven to improve clinical outcomes in pocket probing depth successful (PD) reduction, gain of clinical attachment level (CAL) and alveolar bone regeneration.
Introduction: In Indonesia, the prevalence of oral health issues remains high, reaching 63.4% in West Java. Differences exist between regions, with Bandung Regency at 64.67% and Bandung City at 47.88%. These regional disparities, influenced by social determinants such as access to care, socioeconomic status, and health literacy, contribute to unequal outcomes. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable due to physiological and hormonal changes, with poor oral health increasing the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Community health centers (puskesmas), as primary care facilities emphasizing promotive and preventive services, employ the Oral Health Scoring (OHS) method to assess both felt and normative needs. This study analyzes the differences of oral health scoring among pregnant women at two basic emergency obstetric and neonatal services centers. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative analytical quantitative design was used. The subjects were pregnant women attending the two puskesmas, selected by accidental sampling. Oral health status was assessed using the OHS method. Data were analyzed with an independent t-test to compare groups. Results: A total of 100 pregnant women participated, mostly aged 26–35 years. Half reported discomfort (50%) and nearly half were dissatisfied with appearance (48%), though most had no eating difficulties (67%). Normative findings showed 85% of the women had 1–8 decayed teeth, 54% of them had enamel erosion, and 19% of them had inflammation/ulceration. Significant differences were found in caries (p=0.020), erosion (p=0.005), and inflammation/ulceration (p=0.010), but not in occlusion. Overall, 75% of the women were categorized as healthy, with no significant difference between centers (p=0.253). Conclusion: There are differences in the examination of caries, wear, and inflammation among pregnant women. There are no differences found on OHS category results in two basic emergency obstetric and neonatal services centers
