New device helpful for periodontal problems

Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dentists are in need of an advanced device that combines the use of X-ray and computer known as Direct Digital Intra Oral Radiography (DDIR) to detect periodontal (relating to teeth and jawbones) diseases at a very early stage, an expert said.

Hanna Huzaima Bachtiar Iskandar said after obtaining her doctorate degree in dentistry on Saturday that state-run schools of dentistry in Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya were the only institutions to have used DDIR imaging.

Compared to conventional digital radiography, DDIR, using minimum radiation, produces more accurate examinations of both the inside and outside parts of the jawbone. This allows dentists to diagnose a disease, in particular periodontal diseases, and predict their progress.

Periodontal problems usually lead to the most prevalent type of toothache, and are characterized by inflammation of the connective tissue which holds the teeth in one's jaw.

Hanna said ideally the DDIR should be given to each provincial general hospital.

She said the device was in demand because cases of rapid progressive periodontal (RPP) disease was on the rise. RPP is marked by a rapid deterioration of certain bones in the mouth which often leads to the loss of teeth.

The data at the University of Indonesia's School of Dentistry in 1999 showed a 30 percent increase in the number of RPP patients from the previous year.

"RPP develops during puberty and will manifest itself during productive ages between 20 and 40 years old, and usually the patients are unaware of the disease," Hanna said.

In some cases, the RPP disease recurs or remains unhealed.

"Losing teeth at early or productive ages may indirectly influence the patients' health, but in turn will affect their quality of life and performance," Hanna said.

She also lamented the low awareness of tooth health care among Indonesian people. The economic crisis, she added, had worsened the situation because "people would rather bear toothaches than suffer from hunger."

Hanna, 45, teaches radiology at the University of Indonesia's School of Dentistry and chairs the Association of Indonesian Dental Radiology.