New device helpful for periodontal problems<\/p>\n
Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Dentists are in need of an advanced device that combines the use
\nof X-ray and computer known as Direct Digital Intra Oral
\nRadiography (DDIR) to detect periodontal (relating to teeth and
\njawbones) diseases at a very early stage, an expert said.<\/p>\n
Hanna Huzaima Bachtiar Iskandar said after obtaining her
\ndoctorate degree in dentistry on Saturday that state-run schools
\nof dentistry in Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya were the only
\ninstitutions to have used DDIR imaging.<\/p>\n
Compared to conventional digital radiography, DDIR, using
\nminimum radiation, produces more accurate examinations of both
\nthe inside and outside parts of the jawbone. This allows dentists
\nto diagnose a disease, in particular periodontal diseases, and
\npredict their progress.<\/p>\n
Periodontal problems usually lead to the most prevalent type
\nof toothache, and are characterized by inflammation of the
\nconnective tissue which holds the teeth in one's jaw.<\/p>\n
Hanna said ideally the DDIR should be given to each provincial
\ngeneral hospital.<\/p>\n
She said the device was in demand because cases of rapid
\nprogressive periodontal (RPP) disease was on the rise. RPP is
\nmarked by a rapid deterioration of certain bones in the mouth
\nwhich often leads to the loss of teeth.<\/p>\n
The data at the University of Indonesia's School of Dentistry
\nin 1999 showed a 30 percent increase in the number of RPP
\npatients from the previous year.<\/p>\n
"RPP develops during puberty and will manifest itself during
\nproductive ages between 20 and 40 years old, and usually the
\npatients are unaware of the disease," Hanna said.<\/p>\n
In some cases, the RPP disease recurs or remains unhealed.<\/p>\n
"Losing teeth at early or productive ages may indirectly
\ninfluence the patients' health, but in turn will affect their
\nquality of life and performance," Hanna said.<\/p>\n
She also lamented the low awareness of tooth health care among
\nIndonesian people. The economic crisis, she added, had worsened
\nthe situation because "people would rather bear toothaches than
\nsuffer from hunger."<\/p>\n
Hanna, 45, teaches radiology at the University of Indonesia's
\nSchool of Dentistry and chairs the Association of Indonesian
\nDental Radiology.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-device-helpful-for-periodontal-problems-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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