Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), an effective endodontic irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis (EF), is harmful to periapical tissues. Natural pineapple-orange eco-enzymes (M-EE) and papaya eco-enzyme (P-EE) could be potential alternatives. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of M-EE and P-EE at different concentrations and fermentation periods against EF, compared to 2.5% NaOCl. Fermented M-EE and P-EE (3 and 6 months) at various concentrations were mixed with EF in a 96-well plate incubated for 24 h anaerobically. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of M-EE and P-EE were determined via EF growth observation. EF inhibition was quantitatively measured and compared between different irrigants using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and different fermentation periods using the independent-samples T-test. M-EE and P-EE showed MIC at 50% and MBC at 100% concentrations. There was no significant difference in antimicrobial effect when comparing M-EE and P-EE at 50% and 100% to 2.5% NaOCl. P-EE at 6 months fermentation exhibited higher EF inhibition compared to 3 months at concentrations of 25% (p = 0.017) and 0.78% (p = 0.009). The antimicrobial properties of M-EE and P-EE, at both 100% and 50% concentrations, are comparable to 2.5% NaOCl. They could therefore be potential alternative endodontic irrigants, but further studies are required.

Concerns have been raised about the usage of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in endodontics following its toxic effects. Effective ecoproduce (EEP), an organic solution produced through the fermentation of fruit peels, exhibits antibacterial and antibiofilm action, suggesting its potential as an endodontic irrigant. However, studies on its cytotoxicity are limited. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of EEP at different concentrations and fermentation periods against the MC3T3-E1 cell. EEP derived from orange and pineapple peel waste and fermented for 3 and 6 months was prepared from 100% to 0.78% concentration. Briefly, 2.5% NaOCl was used as the comparison group. Cell viability was analysed using Alamar Blue and Live and Dead Cell assay. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to evaluate ultrastructural changes to the cells. Data analysis was performed using a two-way mixed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). EEP exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity regardless of the fermentation period (p > 0.05). A concentration below 6.25% was non-cytotoxic and comparable to the negative control (p > 0.05). Live and Dead Cell assay and TEM analysis complement the findings. The mean cell viability of EEP at all concentrations for both fermentation periods was significantly higher than that of 2.5% NaOCl (p < 0.05). Conclusively, 6.25% EEP fermented for 3 and 6 months are non-cytotoxic and can serve as an alternative endodontic irrigants.

The Index For Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment Needs (IPION) was developed to assess early orthodontic treatment needs (EOT) in mixed dentition. This scoping review aimed to map the extent, characteristics and nature of the existing evidence on the development of IPION and its application in identifying the prevalence of EOT and malocclusion in mixed dentition. This scoping review also investigated the reported IPION modifications, limitations and gaps in literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review of the literature was conducted in July 2025 across 4 databases (EBSCO, Proquest, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science) and additional sources (journal reference list). Eligible sources include population-based and institutional observational studies which applied the IPION among children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Data were extracted and literature was reviewed by 5 independent reviewers using a predefined extraction template and the findings were synthesized narratively. Twelve of 47 identified records (1999 to 2025) from North America, Asia, and Africa were included. EOT prevalence ranged from 20 to 96% across institutional and population-based studies. IPION modifications across different studies included modifications on the assessments of caries, overbite, overjet, missing permanent incisors, IPION component categories and addition of IPION score for 12-year-olds. Limited studies evaluated the validity of these modifications. There is a growing application of the IPION in evaluating the prevalence of EOT and malocclusion in mixed dentition. Future research is warranted to address its limitations and enhance its utility as a comprehensive epidemiological instrument.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the head and neck, with current treatments offering limited improvement in survival outcomes. This has driven interest in natural compounds as potential therapeutic alternatives. Cosmos caudatus (CC), commonly known as “ulam raja,” possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties, but its effects on OSCC remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of CC extract and its impact on TP53/p53 and CD44 expression in an OSCC cell line in vitro. Cells were characterised using immunocytochemistry (ICC) and treated with CC extract (10–80 mg/mL). Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while TP53 and CD44 gene expression were analysed via RT-qPCR. p53 protein levels were quantified using ELISA, and ICC was performed to assess protein expression. Results: CC demonstrated significant cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ of 58 mg/mL (p < 0.05). Treatment resulted in significant downregulation of TP53/p53 at both gene and protein levels (p < 0.05), alongside increased CD44 mRNA expression but reduced protein staining. CC may therefore have potential as a plant-derived adjunctive therapeutic agent, although further studies are required to elucidate its mechanisms and clinical applicability.

This was a retrospective study that looked at the prevalence, characteristics, gender predilection and common problems associated with supernumerary teeth found in children at the Paediatric Dental Clinic, National University of Malaysia (UKM). Four hundred ninety clinical records of children with relevant radiographs, mean age of 8 years (range 6-12 yearsold) were analyzed. The result showed that the prevalence of supernumerary teeth was found to be 3.1%. One hundred percent of the supernumerary teeth were found among patients of Mongoloid descendents (Malay and Chinese). Males were more frequently affected than females with a ratio of 4.1:1. Of the 22 supernumerary teeth found, 75.0% of the teeth were unerupted, 91.0% were located at the anterior maxillary region, 77.3% were conical in shape and 72.7% were of mesiodens type. Uneruption of permanent tooth and crowding were the common problems associated with the supernumerary teeth. All patients with supernumerary teeth were in the mixed dentition stage. In conclusion, majority of supernumerary teeth found were unerupted, located at the anterior maxillary region, mesiodens in conical shape and commonly seen in Mongoloid males.