The purpose of this study were to compare the emergence profiles of crowns with their contralateral tooth, in vitro, and to determine if there is any association between the design of tooth preparations and the resultant emergence profile. 50 working models used for single crown construction were examined. Measurements of the faciolingual width of the crowns and contralateral teeth were taken using digital calipers. Internal line angles and the margin width of dies and the emergence profile of the corresponding crowns were measured from longitudinally sectioned polyvinylsiloxane indices mounted on a flat-bed scanner using image analysis software. Using Students t tests, no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found for shoulder width (mean 0.94 ± 0.23mm), internal line angle (mean 105.83 ± 13.57°) or emergence profiles (28.56 ± 12.95°) in the different (anterior, premolar or molar) preparations or crowns. The mean emergence profiles for all crowns was statistically significantly greater (p<0.001) than the contralateral tooth (mean 15.33 ± 7.77°). Using linear regression, there was a weak statistical relationship between emergence profile and margin width (Emergence profile° = 31.352 – 2.973 x margin width (mm)). There was no statistical association between the internal line angle and the resultant emergence profile. In conclusion, the emergence profiles of crowns were higher than the contralateral teeth. Maxillary metalloceramic crown preparations had shoulder widths that did not conform to recommendations in standard texts but line angles were within a satisfactory range. The margin width exerts a weak effect upon the emergence profile of the crown.

Background: The high prevalence and impacts of orofacial pain (OFP) have caused major sufferings to individuals and society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems and impacts of OFP among a group of Malaysian aborigines. The objectives were to determine (i) the prevalence, aetiology, duration, severity, types and persistence of OFP during the past 3 months preceding the study; (ii) its associated impact on daily performance; and (iii) the measures taken for pain relief. Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang involving 6 villages of Orang Asli Bateq and Semai. Study sample was chosen using convenient sampling including adults aged 16 years and above. Participants were invited for an interview using structured questionnaire followed by clinical examination. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS ver12. Results: Response rate was low at 20% (n = 140). Over one-quarter (26.4%) of the sample experienced OFP in the previous 3 months. Toothache was found to be the main aetiology (83.3%) followed by gingival pain (18.9%), temporomandibular joint (10.8%) and facial pain (8.1%). Mean duration of pain was 9.8 days for toothache, 162.4 days for gingival pain, 7.3 days for TMJ and 5.7 days for facial pain. Of those who had OFP, over half rated the pain as moderate (37.8%) and severe (29.7%) and most of the pain was ‘intermittent’ in nature (81.1%). Over half (62.2%) admitted the pain had disappeared during the interview. In terms of pain relief, 56.8% of the sample used traditional medicine. The pain had impacted on the chewing ability (70.3%, p=0.01), ability to sleep at night (73.0%, p<0.001), levels of anxiety (70.3%), ability to perform daily chores (33.3%) and social life (35.1%) of the Orang Asli sample. Conclusion: This study suggests the prevalence of OFP was high among the Orang Asli sample, which imposed considerable physical and psychological impacts on daily life.