Alloplasts are synthetic, inorganic, biocompatible bone substitutes that function as defect fillers to repair skeletal defects. The acceptance of these substitutes by host tissues is determined by the pore diameter and the porosity and inter-connectivity. This narrative review appraises recent developments, characterization, and biological performance of different synthetic materials for bone, periodontal, and dental tissue regeneration. They include calcium phosphate cements and their variants β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramics and biphasic calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-TCP ceramics), calcium sulfate, bioactive glasses and polymer-based bone substitutes which include variants of polycaprolactone. In summary, the search for synthetic bone substitutes remains elusive with calcium compounds providing the best synthetic substitute. The combination of calcium sulphate and β-TCP provides improved handling of the materials, dispensing with the need for a traditional membrane in guided bone regeneration. Evidence is supportive of improved angiogenesis at the recipient sites. One such product, (EthOss^® Regeneration, Silesden, UK) has won numerous awards internationally as a commercial success. Bioglasses and polymers, which have been used as medical devices, are still in the experimental stage for dental application. Polycaprolactone-TCP, one of the products in this category is currently undergoing further randomized clinical trials as a 3D socket preservation filler. These aforementioned products may have vast potential for substituting human/animal-based bone grafts.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of hypodontia among multiracial orthodontic patients in Malaysia. Materials and methods: Digital panoramic radiographs of 813 patients were obtained from the records of the orthodontic clinic over five years (2014–2018). The presence of hypodontia was recorded and crosschecked with clinical notes. The association of gender and ethnicity was analysed using the Chi-squared test ( p < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of hypodontia was 7.9%, with both mandibular and maxillary lateral incisors being most commonly and equally affected teeth at 17.9%. Three patients had up to five missing teeth. No severe hypodontia was recorded. The prevalence was highest among the Chinese (8.3%), followed by Malay (7.9%) and the Indian (6.3%) population. Gender and ethnicity were found not to be associated with hypodontia. The most common missing tooth for Malays was the mandibular central incisor, for the Chinese was the mandibular lateral incisor and for the Indian population was the mandibular second premolar. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypodontia was 7.9%. The prevalence of hypodontia was 8.3% for the Chinese, 7.9% for Malay and 6.3% for the Indian population. The most common missing teeth were the mandibular and maxillary lateral incisors.

The concept of regenerative endodontics wherein one can replace damaged pulp structures and recuperate the functionality in erstwhile necrotic and infected root canal systems has been a cutting-edge technology. Though the notion started as early as the 1960s, even before the discovery of stem cells and regenerative medicine, it was in the 2000s that this procedure gained momentum. Ever since then, researchers continue to discover its essential benefit to immature teeth and its ability to overcome the caveats of endodontic therapy, which is commonly known as root canal treatment. Further, through this therapy, one can redevelop root even in immature teeth with necrotic pulps, which overall helps in maintaining skeletal and dental development. Past literature indicates that regenerative endodontic procedures seem to be successful, especially when compared with other conventional techniques such as Mineral Trioxide Aggregate apexification. Besides, many clinicians have begun to apply regenerative endodontic procedures to mature teeth in adult patients, with several clinical case reports that have shown complete resolution of signs and symptoms of pulp necrosis. Generally, the three most desirable outcomes anticipated by clinicians from this procedure include resolution of clinical signs and symptoms, root maturation and redevelopment of the neurogenesis process. Despite this, whether these objectives and true regeneration of the pulp/dentin complex are achieved is still a question mark. Following the discovery that regenerative endodontics indeed is a stem cell-based treatment, addressing the fundamental issue surrounding stem cells might assist in achieving all identified clinical outcomes while favoring tissue formation that closely resembles the pulp-dentin complex.