Dental Journal

Linear and three-dimensional volumetric analysis of maxillary sinus in Saudi Arabian population: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Anuroop Singhai — 2025-09-01

Background: The maxillary sinus presents as an important anatomical structure and understanding its radiographic anatomy is crucial for surgical procedures such as dental implant placement and extractions. Measuring the linear and volumetric dimensions of the maxillary sinus is essential for accurate treatment planning and a favorable outcome. Forensic odontology requires population-specific data for victim identification. There is therefore some need to develop a multicentric, multiethnic data registry. Purpose: The present study evaluates and compares the dimensions of maxillary sinuses and their relationship with individual height in the Saudi Arabian population, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: The study subjected CBCT scans of 30 individuals to linear and volumetric analysis. The measurements were taken by two observers and mean dimensions were used for the analysis. Linear and volumetric dimensions were measured for the total sample and male (n=11) and female (n=19) categories. Results: Differences between linear and volumetric dimensions were statistically nonsignificant for males, females, and the overall sample. Correlations between left- and right-sinus dimensions were significant within females and the overall group. There was weak association between individual height and maxillary sinus dimensions. Conclusion: There is no significant variation between right and left maxillary sinus dimensions among the Saudi Arabian population. A negative correlation was observed between overall height and left maxillary sinus volume in both genders, and with right sinus volume in females only.

A comparative clinical study of two different attachment systems and implant stability in implant-supported mandibular overdentures

Ammar Omar Belal — 2025-09-01

Background: Implant stability is crucial for the long-term durability of implant-supported removable dentures. Understanding the clinical impact of attachment systems such as Novaloc and Locator on stability is essential for their potential prognosis. Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Novaloc and Locator attachment systems on implant stability in implant-supported overdentures. Methods: The research sample consisted of 10 patients, all entirely edentulous in the lower and upper jaws. Each patient received a conventional complete denture in addition to two implants in the mandible. Equal numbers of patients were assigned to Group 1: Novaloc attachment system and Group 2: attachment system for locators. Implant stability was evaluated using the MegaGen implant stability quotient device and repeated after 4, 8, and 12 months. The SPSS program was used to collect, calculate, and statistically analyze the data. Results: According to one-way ANOVAs and independent t-tests conducted throughout the observation period, both groups demonstrated an improvement in implant stability, but the Novaloc group showed superiority, with statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the study’s findings, in comparison to the Locator system, the Novaloc attachment system offers better implant stability during a 1-year monitoring period.

Salivary glucose levels and estimation of food intake in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Sri Tjahajawati — 2025-09-01

Background: Saliva, an easily collectible organic fluid, offers a noninvasive means for multiple samplings to determine salivary glucose levels, comparable to blood and potentially helpful in diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes mellitus. Purpose: This research was carried out to determine the value of salivary glucose levels and food intake in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This research utilized a descriptive quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach. The study population comprised type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Bandung and Jatinangor. The samples, consisting of 27 individuals from each group—type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy participants—were collected through purposive sampling. Saliva was collected using the spitting method and measured to determine salivary glucose levels (mg/dL). Food intake per day (in grams) was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and converted using NutriSurvey 2007. Results: Among the 27 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, salivary glucose levels were found to be ≥2 mg/dL (mean 23.47 mg/dL), whereas in the healthy group, 5 participants (18.5%) exhibited salivary glucose levels <2 mg/dL (mean 8.29 mg/dL). Most type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy participants reported food intake below the Indonesian dietary recommendations. Conclusion: In our limited sample, salivary glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were higher compared to healthy participants. Energy intake in both groups showed similar results. Salivary glucose levels and BMI exhibited a correlation, though notably weak in this study.

Level of knowledge and learning exposure on cleft lip and palate treatment among undergraduate Universitas Indonesia dental students

Dwi Ariawan — 2025-09-01

Background: Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital orofacial anomalies. Dental students must have a basic knowledge, understanding, and awareness of comprehensive cleft management. The Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia undergraduate program uses the problem-based learning (PBL) method to teach dental students about cleft management. Purpose: This study aims to determine the level of knowledge and exposure to learning with the PBL method regarding comprehensive cleft management. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected from 253 dental students using an online questionnaire via Google Forms. Results: Ten preclinical students (8.5%) had a low level of knowledge, 56 (47.5%) had a sufficient level of knowledge, and 52 (44.1%) had a high level of knowledge of comprehensive cleft management. Among the clinical students, 6 (4.4%), 65 (48.1%), and 64 (47.4%) demonstrated low, sufficient, and high levels of knowledge, respectively. Furthermore, most students were content with the lectures on comprehensive cleft management (46.24% satisfied and 20.55% very satisfied) and the supervision received during the lectures (43.48% agreed and 23.71% strongly agreed). Most students believed the lectures on cleft management could be applied when they graduate as dentists. The Chi-square test showed no significant relationship between learning exposure and the student’s knowledge level. Conclusion: Most Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia students who had learned about cleft lip and palate using the PBL method had sufficient knowledge about comprehensive cleft management. However, no significant relationship was observed between learning exposure and knowledge level.

Difference of mandibular trabecular bone fractal dimension values on panoramic radiographs of vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Medan City

Dewi Kartika — 2025-09-01

Background: Vegetarians are known to be more susceptible to experiencing bone mineral density decreases compared to nonvegetarians. The trabecular bone is sensitive to any changes that disrupt the balance of bone metabolism. On panoramic radiographs, bone density can be evaluated by analyzing the fractal dimensions (FD) of the mandibular trabecular bone. Purpose: This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to assess the mandibular trabecular bone FD values on panoramic radiographs of vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Medan City. Methods: This study used a purposive-sampling technique and obtained 30 digital panoramic radiographs of vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Medan City, aged 20 to 40 years, between January and February 2023, at the radiology installation of Dental and Oral Hospital Universitas Sumatera Utara and Laboratory Clinic Pramita Medan. Fractal analysis was performed using ImageJ 1.54c software with the box-counting method. The data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. The data were analyzed using an independent samples T-test. Results: The results showed that the FD values of the mandibular trabecular bone were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The mean FD values on the panoramic radiographs were lower in the vegetarian mandibular trabecular bone than in the nonvegetarian mandibular trabecular bone. Considerations need to be made by dentists when performing treatments related to mandibular trabecular bone surgery in vegetarians.

Caspase-3/-9 as tongue cancer cell apoptosis target induced by ibuprofen

Supriatno — 2025-09-01

Background: Tongue carcinoma is different from oral cancer in other areas because it has a high amount of cell growth, localized migration, and a higher rate of spreading to cervical lymphatic nodes. Therapeutic alternatives, particularly concerning recurrent malignancies, are notably constrained. Nevertheless, it is imperative to explore novel methodologies for refractory neoplasms, one of which may involve the application of ibuprofen. Purpose: The goal of this study was to look at how well caspase-3 and -9 break down proteins as possible targets for apoptosis in tongue cancer cells that were caused by ibuprofen. Methods: A controlled laboratory experiment employing a post-test-only design was executed. We used a colorimetric test for caspase-3 and -9 to check for the induction of apoptosis. The suppression of cellular invasion was verified through the Boyden chamber assay. Western blot analysis was utilized to identify the presence of caspase-3 and -9 proteins. The administered doses of ibuprofen were calibrated at 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL. Data were subjected to analysis using two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Least Significant Different (LSD), with a significance threshold set at 95%. Results: It was established that ibuprofen at dosages ranging from 25 to 100 µg/mL significantly facilitated apoptosis in cells through an augmentation of the proteolytic activity of caspase-3 and -9. Notably, caspase-9 exhibited a superior proteolytic activity (1.85-fold) compared to caspase-3 (1.30-fold) (P = 0.038) at the 100 µg/mL concentration. The upregulation of caspase-3 and -9 proteins was observed in cells treated with ibuprofen. Ultimately, ibuprofen demonstrated an ability to inhibit the invasion of tongue carcinoma cells across various dosages. Conclusion: Ibuprofen has been shown to induce the proteolytic activities of caspase-3 and -9 in tongue carcinoma cells. However, the proteolytic activity of caspase-9 surpassed that of caspase-3, suggesting that targeting this protein may constitute a promising novel therapeutic strategy for this cancer variant.

Social determinants and oral health among cement industry workers

R. E. Haura Azzahra — 2025-09-01

Background: Cement industry workers are exposed to significant oral health risks due to hazardous conditions, but the role of social determinants in this context is not well understood. Purpose: This study investigates the association between social determinants and oral health among factory and office workers in the cement industry. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PT. Semen Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. A stratified random sample of 83 workers was selected. Social determinants were assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaires, while oral health was evaluated using decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMF-T), community periodontal index (CPI), and inspection. Ten calibrated dentists conducted dental examinations. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: Factory workers exhibited higher rates of dental caries (95.83%), periodontal disease (87.50%), abrasion (91.67%), and attrition (87.50%), compared to office workers. Social determinants significantly associated with dental caries in factory workers included age, sugar intake, tooth-brushing frequency, and last dental check-up (r2 = 0.573), while only sugar intake was associated with caries in office workers (r2 = 0.290). For periodontal disease determinants associated with age, psychosocial factors, and smoking (r2 = 0.558) were significant in factory workers, whereas, in office workers, age, sugar intake, tooth-brushing frequency, last dental check-up, and smoking were significantly associated (r2 = 0.870). Age was the only significant determinant of abrasion and attrition in both groups. Conclusion: Social determinants influence oral health among cement industry workers, especially factory workers, due to physiological and psychological changes caused by working conditions. However, office workers also face oral health challenges due to poor oral health behaviors.