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Introduction: In circumstances where the ante mortem list is unknown, gender determination would exclude onehalf of the population, aid in a more precise search of the ante mortem records. This study aims to formulate gender prediction models in the Pakhtun Pakistani population using digital dental arch dimensions. Methods: Data collection and analysis of the dental casts were conducted on 128 subjects, 64 males and 64 females from the Pakistani population. The mean age of the subjects was 19.2 years old. Several linear dental arch dimensions were measured and recorded for both upper and lower arches. Results: It was found that gender differences in linear arch dimensions were statistically significant for both males and females (p<0.05); in which the arch dimensions for the males were larger than the arch dimensions for the females. Stepwise discriminant function analysis found that the highest discriminant power of the variables was present within the inter-second premolar width for the upper arch and inter-molar width for the lower arch. These variables significantly contributed to gender variance. Moreover, the prediction of 67.2% of original grouped cases for the upper arch and 66.4% of cross-validated group cases was correct. Similarly, the correct prediction was made on 64.8% of original grouped cases for the lower arch and 64.1% of cross-validated group cases. Conclusion: The dental arch dimensions were larger among the males compared to the females. Prediction models obtained in this study were moderately strong predictors which may be used as an adjunct to predict gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In circumstances where the ante mortem list is unknown, gender determination would exclude onehalf of the population, aid in a more precise search of the ante mortem records. This study aims to formulate gender prediction models in the Pakhtun Pakistani population using digital dental arch dimensions. Methods: Data collection and analysis of the dental casts were conducted on 128 subjects, 64 males and 64 females from the Pakistani population. The mean age of the subjects was 19.2 years old. Several linear dental arch dimensions were measured and recorded for both upper and lower arches. Results: It was found that gender differences in linear arch dimensions were statistically significant for both males and females (p<0.05); in which the arch dimensions for the males were larger than the arch dimensions for the females. Stepwise discriminant function analysis found that the highest discriminant power of the variables was present within the inter-second premolar width for the upper arch and inter-molar width for the lower arch. These variables significantly contributed to gender variance. Moreover, the prediction of 67.2% of original grouped cases for the upper arch and 66.4% of cross-validated group cases was correct. Similarly, the correct prediction was made on 64.8% of original grouped cases for the lower arch and 64.1% of cross-validated group cases. Conclusion: The dental arch dimensions were larger among the males compared to the females. Prediction models obtained in this study were moderately strong predictors which may be used as an adjunct to predict gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this literature search was to highlight the utility of PET/CT scan in endodontics and compare it with CBCT and conventional radiograph. Materials and Method: PubMed, Medline, Scopus and google scholar were utilised for the analysis. The inclusion criteria was based on the studies which included PET/CT scan and CBCT scan in endodontics. The articles considered were in English lan- guage. Results: Of all the studies, 47 articles were selected which met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that PET/CT can be utilised in the field of endodontics. Conclusion: PET/CT scan is a novel combination method which can provide valuable data for the pulpal and periapical infection combining morphological and metabolic understanding of the infected tissue and detecting the lesion at the initial stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex determination is one of the basic components in victim identification. There are many available methods, namely forensic anthropology method and conventional DNA typing method. In this study, nested PCR technique was employed in sex typing of burnt teeth through amelogenin (AMEL) and sex-determining region Y (SRY) markers. In this study, 17 teeth samples were burnt at temperatures that ranged from 100°C to 500°C for 2 min - 10 min. The whole tooth was used for DNA extraction by phenol-chloroform method. Accurate sex determination was achieved in 13 samples by both AMEL and SRY markers. The SRY marker achieved higher sensitivity as compared to AMEL marker. The sensitivity of both markers was improved consequent to nested PCR. Factors such as degraded DNA materials and the presence of tooth caries greatly affect sex typing results. Results showed that nested PCR proved to be a good method to amplify highly degraded DNA material as it greatly increased the DNA copy, and thus increased the possibility of sex typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental foramen is a funnel-shaped structure which releases the mental nerve. It is an important landmark and must be located before any surgical procedures to avoid complications such as neurovascular bundle damage. The location of mental foramen also plays an important role in estimating age and sex. Mental foramen position can be identified easily using radiographic views like panoramic, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mandible bone a part of skull can be used instead of the whole skull especially that the mandible showed that it is the strongest bone in the human body and withstand high degree of temperature being well preserved, within the mandible mental foramina are found which there position easily indicates race and sex The main objective is to assess the variation of position of the mental foramen for both sexes and sides of the jaw of Malays and Chinese. A total of 200 digital panoramic views for two main ethnic groups (Malays and Chinese) aged between 17-30 years old were selected from the Hospital USM archive which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, horizontal and vertical measurements of the mental foramen were done by using digital ruler of Planmeca Romexis software Finland. Sex and Ethnicity difference were evaluated. Males had significantly high mean values than females (p <0.001) when measuring all parameters (horizontal and vertical) while only MFr-IBM and MFl-IBM of vertical measurements showed high mean in Chinese than Malay (p <0.001). it is now possible to state that ethnicity and gender can easily be indicated by the vertical and the horizontal measurements of the mental foramen among Malaysian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandibular canal is where the inferior alveolar nerve passes through and ends up with the mental nerve coming out from the mental foramen. It is an important and sensitive landmark that should be identified properly before many surgical procedures such as removal of the third molar or any extraction where the teeth are attached to the in order to avoid serious complications. Dental identification of an unknown person based on the examination of bodily remains could be performed either by an osteological or stomatological method, the expanding borders of dentistry have taken the dentist as an expert witness in the area of forensic sciences. The main objective is to determine the position of the mandibular canal for both sexes and sides of the jaw of Malays, Chinese and Indians. A total of 300 OPGs for three ethnic groups (Malays, Chinese and Indian) aged between 17-30 years old were selected from the Hospital USM archive which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Males had significantly high mean values than females (p <0.001) when measuring MCr-Line A and MCl-Line A, measurements showed highly significance difference between different ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indians) (p <0.001). Measuring vertical location of the mandibular canal to the inferior border of the mandible can be a very useful tool predicting ethnicity and gender on Malaysian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furcal perforation is one of the most common undesired complications during dental treatment. It requires immediate seal to ensure the prognosis of the involved tooth. The aim of this study is to compare the sealing ability of injectable dental composites, namely G-aenial Universal Flo (GAUF) and Paracore with Biodentine and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) as furcal perforation materials. This study was conducted on 68 extracted teeth. Upon decoronation of the tooth 4mm above cementoenamel junction, endodontic access cavity was done followed by the creation of furcal perforation in the pulp chamber floor. The teeth were assigned randomly into four experimental and two control groups. These perforations were then repaired with the intended materials. The teeth were submerged in 2% basic fuchsin for 24 hours then sectioned and evaluated for dye leakage. The data were analysed using Median's Test and Mann Whitney U Test. One specimen for each test group were inspected under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the percentage of dye penetrations were significantly lower in Paracore and GAUF compared to Biodentine and MTA groups (p<0.001). Paracore demonstrated less gap at material tooth interface under SEM. Both Paracore and GAUF sealed furcal perforation better than Biodentine and MTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the root and canal morphology of permanent maxillary first and second molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the CBCT images of 480 maxillary first molars and 536 maxillary second molars from 268 patients who received CBCT scanning for various procedures. The number of roots, prevalence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in the mesiobuccal root, its association with gender, and the prevalence of bilateral MB2 canals were evaluated. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the prevalence, while Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the prevalence of MB2 canal and gender with a significance level set at P < 0.05 and P < 0.001. Results: Majority of maxillary first (97.7%) and second molars (80.0%) were presented with three roots. MB2 canals were found in 59.9% and 35.2% of maxillary first and second molars, respectively. The prevalence of MB2 canals among male patients was significantly higher in both maxillary first (P < 0.05) and second molars (P < 0.001). Bilateral MB2 canals were seen in 76.2% and 58.3% of maxillary first and second molars, respectively. Conclusions: MB2 canal was common among Malay ethnic with the prevalence of approximately 60% and 35% in maxillary first and second molars, respectively. Our findings will increase the knowledge and awareness of dental clinicians to be more vigilant in identifying the MB2 canal to ensure complete cleaning and obturation of all root canals during root canal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the self‐perceived preparedness of final‐year dental undergraduate students in dental public universities in Malaysia. Methods: Final‐year dental undergraduate students from six dental public universities in Malaysia were invited to participate in an online study using a validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale DU‐PAS. Results: In total, about 245 students responded to the online questionnaire yielding a response rate of 83.05%. The age range of the respondents was 23‐29 years with a mean age of 24.36 (SD 0.797). The total score obtained by the respondents was ranged from 48 to 100 with a mean score of 79.56 (SD 13.495). Weaknesses were reported in several clinical skills, cognitive and behavioural attributes. Conclusions: The preparedness of undergraduate students at six dental institutions in Malaysia was comparable to students from developed countries. The dental undergraduate preparedness assessment scale is a useful tool, and dental institutions may be used for self‐assessment as well as to obtain feedback from the supervisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]