Tooth fusion is a developmental dental anomaly that may affect both the deciduous and permanent dentition. Such anomalies may cause problems such as caries, periodontal disease or even esthetic impairments, which will require intervention. In the present case, a young patient was referred to the periodontal clinic for management of bilateral mandibular fused teeth as part of the orthodontic treatment. On the lower right, the teeth involved were incompletely fused involving only the cervical region. On the lower left, the two teeth were completely fused from the crown to the apex. A surgical resection was carried out on the fused teeth on the right, while the fused teeth on the left was undisturbed. Orthodontic treatment was later carried out to align both the upper and lower arch. The patient was satisfied with treatment outcome.

Over the years, advancement in ceramic-based dental restorative materials has led to the development of monolithic zirconia with increased translucency. The monolithic zirconia fabricated from nano-sized zirconia powders is shown to be superior in physical properties and more translucent for anterior dental restorations. Most in vitro studies on monolithic zirconia have focused mainly on the effect of surface treatment or the wear of the material, while the nanotoxicity of this material is yet to be explored. Hence, this research aimed to assess the biocompatibility of yttria-stabilized nanozirconia (3-YZP) on the three-dimensional oral mucosal models (3D-OMM). The 3D-OMMs were constructed using human gingival fibroblast (HGF) and immortalized human oral keratinocyte cell line (OKF6/TERT-2), co-cultured on an acellular dermal matrix. On day 12, the tissue models were exposed to 3-YZP (test) and inCoris TZI (IC) (reference material). The growth media were collected at 24 and 48 h of exposure to materials and assessed for IL-1β released. The 3D-OMMs were fixed with 10% formalin for the histopathological assessments. The concentration of the IL-1β was not statistically different between the two materials for 24 and 48 h of exposure (p = 0.892). Histologically, stratification of epithelial cells was formed without evidence of cytotoxic damage and the epithelial thickness measured was the same for all model tissues. The excellent biocompatibility of nanozirconia, as evidenced by the multiple endpoint analyses of the 3D-OMM, may indicate the potential of its clinical application as a restorative material.

Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) can be used as a generic or condition-specific oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) instrument. It offers different contexts on how dental conditions affect OHRQoL. This cross-sectional study aimed to validate a newly translated Malay OIDP (OIDP-M), compare OHRQoL, decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) in Malaysians, and investigate factors associated with OHRQoL. A total of 368 Malaysians were surveyed and examined for DMFT. Short-form oral health impact profile-Malaysia [S-OHIP(M)] and OIDP-M were used to measure OHRQoL. The OIDP-M was tested for reliability and validity. DMFT, S-OHIP(M), and OIDP-M between ethnicities were compared. Associations between ethnicity, DMFT, S-OHIP(M), and OIDP-M of Malays and Chinese were evaluated through partial correlation. Malays and Chinese had more filled teeth and DMFT compared with Indians. Malays reported worse OHRQoL through S-OHIP(M). Decayed teeth were positively associated with S-OHIP(M), physical, psychological, social disabilities, and handicap. For OIDP-M, decayed teeth were positively associated with OIDP-M, working, and sleeping. Missing teeth and ethnicity were positively associated with eating and speaking. Filled teeth were negatively associated with cleaning teeth. The OIDP-M was reliable and valid for evaluating OHRQoL. There were differences in DMFT and OHRQoL between ethnicities. Ethnicity affects OHRQoL, where Malays experienced worse OHRQoL due to dental problems.

Background: Non‐diabetics and diabetics might have different oral health problems and impacts on their oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). Comparison of oral health status and coping strategies between these patients, and evaluation of factors associated with OHRQoL might facilitate better treatment planning for improved patient‐centred outcome.Methods: One hundred and eleven non‐diabetics and 107 diabetics attending a public hospital were clinically examined and evaluated for coping strategies (abbreviated coping orientation to problems experienced) and OHRQoL [short‐form oral health impact profile (OHIP‐14S)]. Factors associated with OHRQoL were analysed through correlation/partial correlation. Minimally important differences (MID) of OHIP‐14S were calculated to confirm associations between attachment loss, caries, and tooth loss with OHRQoL.Results: Non‐diabetics had worse periodontal status. Diabetics had more missing teeth. Non‐diabetics and diabetics employed maladaptive coping to manage oral health problems. Overall, non‐diabetics reported worse OHRQoL. Determination of MID showed that non‐diabetics with high‐severe attachment loss and <20 teeth experienced poorer OHRQoL. Diabetics with caries, high‐severe attachment loss, and <25 teeth experienced poorer OHRQoL.Conclusion: Different factors were associated with OHRQoL of non‐diabetics and diabetics. Delivery of treatment aimed at maintaining teeth in a periodontally healthy and caries free state, and provision of more chewing units might help improve OHRQoL of diabetics. © 2024 Australian Dental Association.