DENTAL CEMENTS

Assalamualaikum, hello reader !

Since we had a 2-hr session of practical-revision on dental cements today, thought it'd be good for me, and for other dental students that I'd write a concise (read:brief but comprehensive) post about it.

I'll be writing on;

1. Definition
2. Classification & Main Types
3. Composition, mixing & uses
4. Mixing time (MT), working time (WT) and setting time (ST)


1. Definition
Dental cements are hard, brittle materials formed by mixing powder and liquid together. They are either resin cements or acid-base cements. The former sets via polymerisation reaction while the latter via acid-base reaction. 

2. Classification & Main Types
Type I: Luting agents that include permanent and temporary cements

Type II: Restorative applications

Type III: Liner or base applications

Main types of cements you would probably use in dental school;

1. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) -exist as liners/restoration

2. Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC)

3. Calcium Hydroxide cement (Dycal)

4. Zinc Oxide Eugenol cement (ZOE)

5. Zinc Phosphate cement

6. Zinc Polycarboxylate

3. Composition, Mixing & Uses

Glass Ionomer Cement

Composition

Liquid: Itaconic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, and water

Powder: Zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and calcium

Dispensing

*important: Use plastic instead of metal spatula to avoid glass particles to abrade metal surface and incorporate them into the cement. This will weaken the cement structure. 

*always read manufacturer's instructions beforehand

*for accurate dispensing of powder, tap the bottle gently. do not shake or invert.

*for accurate dispensing of liquid, hold the liquid bottle vertically and squeeze gently.

*LINER ratio: One level scoop of loosely packed powder and one drop of liquid provide the recommended powder to liquid ratio of 1.4 to 1 by weight. The powder to liquid ratio may be altered to change the viscosity of the mix. Ratios ranging from 1 scoop powder/2 drops liquid to 2 scoops powder/1 drop liquid are acceptable. Mix ratios beyond this range are not recommended. 

*RESTORATIVE ratio : 1 level scoop of powder to 2 drops of liquid.

Mixing

-divide powder into equal halves

-spread liquid out into a thin layer 

-pull half of the powder onto the liquid  and mix with lapping strokes (like impression materials) for 10-15 seconds (can be up to 20 for restorative GIC)

-pull remaining half of powder and mix thoroughly to reach glassy consistency.

Manufacturer's instructions for 3M ESPE Vitrebond HERE!

Calcium Hydroxide (Dycal)

Read all about it here: http://www.dentsply.es/DFU/eng/Dycal_eng.pdf

Zinc Oxide Eugenol (ZOE)

Read all about it here : http://www.spofadental.com/media/Products/ProductFamily/117/en-US/Documents/31002/Caryosan_IFU_EN.pdf 

Zinc Phosphate 

Zinc Polycarboxylate

4) Mixing time (MT), working time (WT) and setting time (ST)

Mixing time: Time from addition of powder/base to the liquid/catalyst until the right/desired consistency is achieved. 

Working time: Time from start of mixing to the point at which consistency of mix is no longer acceptable for the usage of intended purpose.

Setting time: Time duration between start of mixing & point where material hardens/completes its reaction.

Based on our experiment today, here is the tabulated data regarding the above matter;

We didn't note the setting time because that is already determined by the manufacturers and besides, materials like GIC has ongoing setting reaction even after 24hrs.

That's all for today ! Hope you'll benefit from this ! All the best :)

For further reading, please read here :
 http://www.dentistrytoday.com/dental-materials/6151-dental-cements-an-overview
http://free-ed.net/free-ed/Courses/06%20MedHealth/060401/DentalMaterials/default.asp?iNum=0103

xx

POST-HOLIDAY RUSTY BRAIN & INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL DENTISTRY

Assalamualaikum, hello reader!

I think I'm not the only one with a problem of slow "warming up" to new subjects in a new year or a new semester.. I'm sure most of you exam-sufferers understand the situation of trying to squeeze your brain-deciphering the flashes of tiny images of words you've came across during your always last minute studying. Aha! This happens to everyone.

So this took place during our first Oral Surgery class with Dr. Retish earlier today;

Dr. R: "Okay what nerve supplies the lower jaw?"
Class: "mandibular nerve"
Dr. R: "what nerve does it originate from"
Student X,W,Z and maybe J: "facial nerve" (confidently)
Dr. R: "REALLY GUYS?" FACIAL NERVE? *facepalm* "
Student B, F, G, K and few others: "trigeminal nerve!"
Dr. R: "okay so what are the main branches of the trigeminal nerve?"
krik krik...
Students: "ophthalmic" "maxillary" "mandibular"
Me inside my head: Man my anatomy's shitty as hell. What did i learn again in 1st year DDS?

So anyway, hope that I made the point that you can't really opt to just forget stuff once your done with the exam. The hard truth is friends, the stuff you learn in the pre-clinical years will be your BASE to survive dental school. Without a good base, you'll be just like a denture with a weak denture base-: prone to cracks and fractures. (was that a denta-nerdy enough analogy? lol! )

So how do you manage and overcome this rusty brain problem? Obviously it's a hassle to have to go thru the pre-clinical textbooks all over again and RE-learn stuff. My suggestion would be: STUDY NOT FOR THE SAKE OF EXAMS BUT STUDY FOR THE SAKE OF LEARNING.
Another hard truth about dental school is that good grades can only prove that you're good in memorising and absorbing information whereas dentistry is MUCH MORE than that. True dentistry (in my opinion) starts during your third year where all of your skills & knowledge will be integrated into treating a patient. Trust me, when you study purely out of passion, curiosity or the want to learn something, automatically your brain will somehow find a way to store the info in your long-term memory. So try doing that. Try to LOVE what you are doing.

Moving to the next and more interesting thing; CLINICAL DENTISTRYYYYYY!
I swear it gave me the chills but a lot of excitement at the same time ! Like finally you're gonna put all the knowledge you've sumbat-ed into your head to good use and test how well you really know your stuff by application. This is where it gets tricky because your grades don't mirror wether or not you'll be good in the clinic. So let's just hope to God that my grades will mirror my clinical skills. Aameen !

Today Dr. Brindha gave us the lecture on introduction to clinical dentistry. She talked about dresscode, what we'll be doing for the next 9 weeks in preparation to handle REAL patients. Yassss we've graduated from scary head mannequins to real life breathing sweaty talking human beings! There's also stuff about patient confidentiality, ethics, infection control and all that. Can't wait to get our clinical labcoats and the shiny nametags! weehuuuu

Will be doing a post specifically on ICD soon!

xx

GETTING MARRIED YOUNG

Assalamualaikum, hello reader!

Now, the topic is rather interesting isn't it? I'm not saying that I am an expert in this, nor do I have any first hand-experience but it's just me, sharing my two cents; based on some knowledge from others and observations. Personally, I think that marriage, regardless of age, is a beautiful thing !

And among His Signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect. 

[30: Ar-Rum-21]

If you're young (lets say 18-24), and if you've found someone that you cannot imagine life without, the next thing to do is get married right? Well that'll be the RIGHT thing to do.  If marriage is on your mind, then my dear, you're on the right track and I absolutely agree with you. But why do certain people, (I'm not saying all, because some families do not have a problem marrying their child young. Young: refer age range stated above) think that they're talking nonsense. As if they're not entitled to the right of getting married. "Kau ni gatal betul, belajar tak habis nak kahwin", "Ha dah tak sabar sangat lah tu", and loads of more shitty replies that do not even expand that poor guy/lady's minds. 

                                     

At least, have the decency to give an intelligent reply, treat them as adults, have a proper discussion as to WHY-ask them about their intentions (read about INTENTIONS OF MARRIAGE IN ISLAM HERE) and share some knowledge on how to know that you're ready. Parents, you can't judge your sons or daughters maturity if you RARELY see them. Your son or daughter might have be a completely different person even after a few days or weeks. You can't simply say "NO" without giving them reasons. Do you want them to rebel? This is why (maybe), we see a lot of "Kahwin Lari" cases in Malaysia. Sigh.

Contrary to popular belief, I think that one does not need to have at least 50k or 100k cash in possession to get married. You see, I get really upset when they hear the word marriage, expensive things come to mind. The thing is, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE. 

“The best of dowries is the simplest.” Narrated by al-Haakim and al-Bayhaqi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (3279). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of marriage is the simplest.” Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (3300).

Take a look on how she did her wedding with just rm5k-:
http://inibeloglynmarzuki.blogspot.com/2013/12/bajet-pernikahan-lyn-marzuki.html
Now don't go and make shitty remarks like "rm5k is a lot of money, if you're spoon fed by parents who earn 5 digits every month then it's just like nothing". Hello please take a calculator and add up all your spendings that go to movies, shopping, hipster cafes, karaoke and all that stuff and multiply them by 12 (a year). I'm pretty sure it'll add up to 5k... So there you go.

You can be a student, and also a married one. I've been amongst married couples who are still studying, and they're happy. Of course there's bound to be struggles, what is life without them? They don't need a lavish wedding, Islam does not promote that anyway.  They make do with what they have. I envy these people why? Because they've completed yet another part of their iman, and the best part is, they'll have someone to share these few early life experiences in the midst of adulthood--the halal way. They can, and WILL enjoy life--the halal way. Do crazy stuff--the halal way. Those are the very few simple but beautiful things about getting married early that I can think of. These young couples have so much ahead of them, and they have the opportunity to do them together. Marriage brings oneself to a special spiritual peace as stated in the Quran (refer below). Plus, ladies, you'll have a personal bodyguard around!

"And among His signs are that He created for you from your selves mates that you may attain calm unto them and He placed between you affection and compassion. Surely in that are signs for a people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]

I'm not writing this because I'm the one stuck in the situation, but somehow this has been circulating in my pool of thoughts, so might as well let it out, in hope that people can relate, and think. Am I promoting early marriage? Yes, why not ? If you think you are mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready, then go ahead. I'm sure after weighing out the pros and the cons of it, fo sho this beautiful ibadah outweighs all the doubts, in sya Allah.

Here's what a newlywed dude has to say  to the world; (it's in Malay though)

https://www.facebook.com/myusrijamal/posts/10206009689015588:0

and another newlywed's shoutout to the world, some of you might know her thru instagram/twitter: nurinqistina
http://thegirlinabaya.blogspot.com/2015/08/mrs-sheikh-asyraf-bux-now.html

For further reading, I suggest you click this linnk for a very awesome & thorough write up about marriage in Islam;
http://www.islamic-world.net/sister/purpose_and_obligation.htm

All the best!

xx

BRIDEZILLA POST #1: Initiation

Assalamualaikum, hello blogosphere!
*blows off dust*

Yes, it has indeed been a very long time, I suppose I owe you tonnes of updates right? So my last post was about EXAMS. Guess what? The post-traumatic stress from my 2nd professional exam is still lingering on my nerves! Anyhow, alhamdulillah managed to get into third year of dental school. It's not going to get any easier, I can tell by the scary stressful vibes I'm getting from the lecturers, but neither does life!

Now, back to the title of this post.....bridezilla. Lol, never would I have imagined having that word being related to me in this time-frame but you know what people say, "life happens when you're busy making plans". It all happened in the month of Ramadhan, and speaking of it, hope it is still not too late to wish Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my Muslim readers!

Ramadhan this year was an eventful month to me, and to Mr. D (jeng jeng, mysterious tak?) because what we've been hoping for finally surfaced to reality, and for that I can never be thankful enough. 

It's true guys, Ramadhan is a special month filled with blessings and forgiveness and when the hearts are softer.. I, we, took the opportunity and laid out our wishes to those who play a big role in our lives and left the rest to Allah swt. Alhamdulillah, everything worked out well and in sya Allah we'll be starting the rest of our forever Oct next year. Yup there it is, bridezilla is.. moi! :) Please pray that everything goes smoothly <3

(This is actually the beginning of this post, lol! )

What is a bridezilla?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• A bride whose behavior is seen as demanding or unreasonable. The word uses the -zilla suffix derived from the Japanese movie monster Godzilla.

and here's another accurate definition from urban dictionary:

One ridiculous spoiled bitch that thinks she is the center of the universe, just because her "show" (the wedding) is 18 months from now. Everyone else in the world has to drop everything and come running in this prime-donna's mind. The marriage will not last more than a couple of years,if the groom to be is lucky.

"Man, get a load of that bridezilla. We should warn him that he will never have another blow job after getting married."

I do not want to be one. Seriously though, the wedding that I have in my head is just a simple, no-fuss , intimate wedding. Initially, I thought converting those images in my head into real life situations would be achievable. I thought wrong; it's def easier imagined than done.

Because, the word simple goes poof! once there's venues to research, dulang hantaran, deco, flowers, colour themes, bridesmaids list, guest list (whoaa this is the hardest), wedding dress, reception dress, logistics, food, catering, pelamin, doorgift and the list just goes on and on and on...

Thank god for the existence of Pinterest for helping me to at least organize ideas and thoughts through images. Now I have boards for everything! You can check out my wedding board here. I'll be sharing a structured post on the "things to do once you're engaged" next !

Till my next (not so) bridezilla post, peace & love !

xx