https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/36314 2026-04-23T07:34:20Z 2026-04-23T07:34:20Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37911 2020-05-19T11:55:58Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The importance of oral health education in patients receiving orthodontic treatment in Malta Abstract: Introduction: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a well targeted educational campaign specially designed towards the improvement of oral health, and maintenance of removable orthodontic appliances should be considered during an orthodontic treatment. Objectives: To assess the impact of the oral hygiene protocol on oral health through assessing plaque accumulation on the removable orthodontic appliance, to establish the impact of oral hygiene protocol on oral health through assessing the patients’ plaque accumulation on the tooth surface and gingival bleeding and to evaluate the degree of halitosis between the intervention and control groups. Materials & Methods: The study involved 40 patients who were equally assigned to the intervention and control removable orthodontic treatment groups. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, soft-tissue examination, breath checker, and staining the appliance with methylene blue disclosing solution. Results: The plaque score of both groups at Review 2 emphasized a significant difference (p=0.021), yet no differences at baseline (p=0.989) nor Review 1 (p=0.786) were found. The odour score of both groups at Review 2 showed a significant difference (p=0.012). All interventional patients and only 10% of the control group patients were aware of appliance removal during sport. There was no significant difference (p=0.211) between the responses of patients concerning the cleaning method of the appliance. The patients showed a higher user rate of mouthwash, and they were more successful with respect to when it should be used. Conclusion: The educational campaign proved to be effective in improving the participants oral health status, and oral hygiene procedures. Description: B.SC.(HONS)DENTAL TECH.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37910 2020-05-19T11:50:47Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A study on the cytotoxic effect of methylmethacrylate monomer on a culture model system Abstract: Purpose of the study: To analyse the in vitro effect of methylmethacrylate monomer on a culture of erythrocytes. Research question: An in vitro study on a culture model system to assess the cytotoxic effect of the residual methylmethacrylate potentially leached from dental appliances. Methods used: The methods used in this experiment included namely the MTT assay, and the quantifying and assessing of the RNA integrity through the Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100. The former quantified the mitochondrial enzymes activity, therefore quantifying the amount of viable cells, whilst the latter quantified the damaged RNA by comparing its bands and peaks to a control culture which had not been exposed to monomer. The monomer concentrations used were 0.1 μL, 0.5 μL, 1 μL, 2 μL and 4 μL, and 0 μL for the control. Results were analysed using the SPSS program. Overall findings: with a p value of less than 0.05, the monomer concentrations of 1 μL, 2 μL and 4 μL (per 100 μL cell culture) were found to have a statistically significant effect on the cell culture. The 0.1 μL and the 0.5 μL concentrations did not have a statistically significant effect. When using the Bioanalyzer with the culture exposed to the 1 μL concentration, it was observed that the RNA was affected, though not as severely. Conclusions: Methyl methacrylate monomer exhibits cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner, with concentrations of 10 μL and above showing statistically significant effects. Recommendations and implications for practice: Further tests can be carried out to ascertain the effect of monomer on the culture. Different cells related to the oral mucosa can be used, and assays to distinguish between necrosis, apoptosis and impeding proliferation can be carried out to assess exact mode of execution. Description: B.SC.(HONS)DENTAL TECH.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37909 2020-05-19T11:44:38Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of surveying master models on time efficiency and clinical outcomes in patients receiving acrylic removable partial dentures Abstract: Purpose of the study To analyse laboratory and clinical time efficiency, and patient and dentist reported outcomes of aesthetics and functional aspects for Removable Partial Dentures constructed with or without the use of a surveyor. Research question When constructing partial dentures, does the use of a surveyor affect the laboratory and clinical time of the prosthesis, and affect customer (dentist and patient) satisfaction? Methods used The sample was divided into two groups, surveyed and unsurveyed. The number of undercuts on each master model was recorded and their degree was measured. This information was used to balance the surveyed and unsurveyed groups with an equal potential for interferences. Laboratory and clinical procedure times for both groups were measured and analysed based on 20 patients (n=10/10). Patient and Dentist Satisfaction were reported by means of questionnaires based on 34 treated jaws (n=17/17). Patient satisfaction was measured on insertion, and one, two and four weeks post-insertion. Dentist satisfaction was measured on insertion and one week post-insertion. The collected data was analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. Significance level was established at p ≤ 0.05. Overall findings and Conclusion: For laboratory procedures, surveying time was longer in the surveyed group and trimming time was longer for the unsurveyed group. No differences in clinical procedure times were found. From the dentist´s point of view, retention, fit, possibility of food traps and clasps engagement were better with unsurveyed models. Occlusion, proximal undercuts and perceived appointment-time improved significantly for both groups. From the patient's point of view, placement/removal and speech improved more with unsurveyed models. Pain experienced a more important reduction in surveyed patients. For both groups, aesthetics, speech and mastication improved but fit, retention, stability and movement during mastication worsened. Description: B.SC.(HONS)DENTAL TECH.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37908 2020-05-19T13:08:20Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The correlation between the level of knowledge of reading nutritional labels and oral health Abstract: Objectives: To establish if the level of knowledge in reading nutritional labels in the Maltese population is correlated to their oral health status. Materials and methods: Subjects attending dental screenings on the Mobile Dental Unit or at the University teaching clinics were recruited. A questionnaire was used to collect general infor-mation, participants’ awareness of WHO sugar guidelines, food preferences, and their level of knowledge in reading nutrition labels. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and erosion scores were recorded. Results: A total of 122 subjects participated in this research project, of which 62.3% were females. Results showed that 17.2% of the total sample were aware of theWHO guidelines regarding sugar intake; weekly food consumption of the subjects revealed that 70% usually eat vegetables mini-mum 3-5 times a week, 50% fruit and 40% fish; 41.7% of people showed a good level of knowledge in reading nutrition labels. Furthermore, erosion general score was 1.2 ± 3.3. Mean DMFT scored 10.5 ± 7.2 and care index 37.2 ± 30.3%. Higher educational levels were associated with healthier diets. Further within the group 35-65 years, DMFT was significantly lower if the respondent had the ability to read labels. Conclusion: the study showed that there is a low awareness ofWHO daily sugar intake guidelines and a moderate understanding of nutrition labels. Age-related trends, educational background, and knowledge in reading and correctly understanding food nutritional labels was related to improved oral health. It would be beneficial to conduct similar studies that could potentially aid in the de-velopment of educational programs aimed at correctly reading nutrition labels. Description: B.SC.(HONS)DENTAL HYGIENE

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z