New device helpful for periodontal problems

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.