https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71761 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:20:02 GMT 2026-04-04T06:20:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/139108 Title: The common retention practices among orthodontists from different countries Authors: Almuzian, Mohammed; Mheissen, Samer; Khan, Haris; Alharbi, Fahad; Alzoubi, Emad Eddin; Wertheimer, Mark Brian Abstract: Objective: To investigate the most common retention practices, factors influencing the retention protocol, and the differences among orthodontists regarding retention practices.; Methods: An online validated questionnaire was anonymously sent to 3,000 orthodontic residents and clinicians. The survey consisted of 19 questions regarding the participants’ demographics, prescribed retention appliances, factors affecting retention appliance choices, and adjunctive retention procedures. Descriptive statistics, Chi2 and Kendall’s Tau-b tests were applied.; Results: Five hundred fifty-five orthodontic residents and clinicians, 53.3% males and 46.7% females, completed the survey, indicating a response rate of 18.5%. Although participants’ demographics, type of treatment and pre-treatment malocclusion influence the choice of retention protocols, thermoplastic retainers (TR) were the most popular retention regime for the maxillary arch for both adults (47.4%) and adolescents (42.3%). Bonded retainers (BR) were the favored option for the mandibular arch (44.9% of adults and 40.7% of adolescents). The degree of arch expansion (64.1%) and the degree of interdigitation (50.1%) after treatment were the most influential factors for the choice of the preferred type of retainers by the respondents. 68.6% of the participants thought professional retention guidelines would be useful. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/139108 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111202 Title: Considerazioni etiche nella cura dentale delle persone con disabilità Authors: Gatt, Gabriella Abstract: Con questa relazione si propone di discutere le considerazioni etiche relative alla cura dentistica per le persone con disabilità. A Malta, il servizio di un’assistenza sanitaria generale sicura ed equa si basa su otto principi che sono contenuti nel documento intitolato The Charter of Patients’ Rights and Responsibility (in italiano, La Carta dei Diritti e della Responsabilità dei Pazienti, emessa dal Ministero della Salute di Malta. Questi principi comprendono (1) il diritto ai servizi di promozione della salute e del benessere; (2) il diritto di accedere ai servizi sanitari secondo i bisogni e le esigenze individuali; (3) il diritto di ricevere e dare informazioni sulla salute; (4) il diritto di partecipare a un processo decisionale collaborativo relativo alle proprie particolari esigenze sanitarie e di dare un consenso informato di trattamento e cura personali; (5) il diritto alla privacy e alla riservatezza; (6) il diritto di ricevere rispetto, dignità e considerazione; (7) il diritto a un’assistenza sicura ed efficace; (8) e il diritto di commentare sull’assistenza e di inoltrare critiche costruttive. Tale Carta afferma anche che questi diritti si applicano a tutti gli individui, a prescindere dal genere, ma non fa nessun riferimento alle disabilità. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111202 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105216 Title: Oral manifestations of menopause Authors: Alzoubi, Emad Eddin; Hariri, Racha Abstract: The aim of this review paper is to identify the reflection of menopause on the oral region and the impact of these manifestations on clinical applications. During menopause, ovarian function declines and the production of sex steroid hormones reduces significantly affecting the oral tissues and periodontal structures leading to osteoporosis, chronic inflammation of the gingiva, increased risk of tooth loss, concurrent periodontitis, oral discomfort, xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome and many other manifestations. Hormonal Replacement Therapy is used to relieve the previously mentioned complications. The effects of HRT will be reviewed as well. Menopause is a normal physiologic event in women, in which there’s a cessation of menses. It takes from five to ten years and terminates with a sharp decline in female hormone levels. The decrease of estrogen production in postmenopausal women leads to many physiological changes, like: hot flashes, sweating, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive changes, urogenital infections, skin changes and vaginal dryness. The fact that periodontal tissues are significantly influenced by sex steroid hormones relies on the increased incidence and severity of periodontal diseases during periods of hormone fluctuations, retention and metabolic conversion of sex steroid hormones and the presence of steroid hormone receptors in the periodontium. The periodontal tissues are highly affected by the endocrine system where they are influenced by androgens, progestins and estrogens. Estradiol is the most potent estrogen and is secreted by the ovary, testis, placenta and certain peripheral tissues. Estrone is also secreted by the ovaries. In premenopausal women, estradiol is the most profuse hormone; while in postmenopausal women, estrogen is the most abundant hormone in the plasma. Progestrone has been reported as an antagonist of estrogen as it reduces its number of receptors in target tissues. During menopause, ovarian function declines and the production of sex steroid hormones reduces significantly affecting the oral tissues and periodontal structures leading to increased susceptibility to chronic inflammation of the gingiva, and alveolar bone loss. Moreover, hormones changes may lead to cardiovascular diseases accompanied by xerostomia which will increase susceptibility to dental caries and Candida infection. Many other oral changes occur during menopause period such as pain and burning in oral cavity, mucosal atrophy and oral dysesthesia. Post menopausal estrogen deficiency causes bone loss in the long bones and vertebrae. It was reported that this osteoporotic effect increases the probability of odontia by three times than in normal females as a result of alveolar bone resorption due to systemic osteoporosis. Moreover, the presence osteoporosis and concurrent periodontitis may exaggerate the response to dental plaque characterized by abnormal, painless, dry, shiny, thin gingival bleeding called concurrent senile atrophic gingivitis which might progress to menopausal gingival stomatitis. Certain diseases can amplify the mentioned manifestations like Sjogren Syndrome, Pemphigus Vulgaris, Burning Mouth Syndrome and Trigeminal Neuralgia. In order to prevent or at least alleviate these manifestations, Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Vitamin D and Calcium supplements are used. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105216 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105184 Title: Root canal width as a mandibular maturity marker at the 18‑year threshold in the Maltese population Authors: Tangkabutra, Sriwisut; Alzoubi, Emad Eddin; Roberts, Graham; Lucas, Victoria; Camilleri, Simon Abstract: Introduction: The determination of age of majority (the 18-year-old threshold) using the popular Demirjian tooth staging method is unreliable, so other maturity markers are required. This study examines whether the ratio of the root canal widths (RCW) of the mandibular first, second and third molars is a useful indicator of age.; Methods: Nine hundred eighteen dental panoramic radiographs (DPT) were examined and the ratio of the mid-points of the distal roots of the left mandibular first, second and third molars assessed according to the RCW stages as described by Roberts (J Forensic Sci 62:351–354, 2017).; Results: Individuals who had reached stages RCW-A and RCW-B were represented in a wide range of ages spanning the 18-year-old threshold. Individuals who had reached Stage RCW-C were all above the 18-year-old threshold. It was not possible to analyse a large number of DPTs for various reasons.; Discussion: Individuals categorised as stage RCW-C may be deemed to have reached the 18-year-old threshold. These results are consistent with other published studies. Variation in root morphology and in the rate of development of the third molar limits the applicability of this method.; Conclusions: RCW staging is an accurate method of determining the 18-year-old threshold. Its limited applicability requires the use of substitute markers in a large number of cases. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105184 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z