This pilot survey was conducted to determine the main reason and the motivating factors which, influence patients in seeking orthodontic treatment.115 patients aged 11-30 years old were taken from the orthodontic waiting list at the Dental Faculty, University Malaya dated December 1999 -May 2000. A structured questionnaire was designed and the survey of patients was carried out using the telephone. The desire to have a better dental appearance was the main reason (65 %) given by patients who were seeking orthodontic treatment.The most important motivating factor that influences patients in seeking orthodontic treatment was to attain straight teeth (48 %). In conclusion, patients seek orthodontic treatment mainly due to psychological reason, which is to improve dental appearance and aesthetic.Perceived needs of an orthodontic patient should also be taken into consideration before commencing orthodontic treatment to increase chances of mutually satisfying result for both the orthoqontist and patient.

Missing teeth can be due to hypodontia, trauma or extraction. In general, the options for treatment depend on the severity of the hypodontia and the severity of the malocclusion. Occasionally, the space from missing teeth has to be maintained for prosthetic replacement and require an orthodontic/restorative approach. It is very important to ensure the space maintained is adequate for aesthetic reason so that it can be replaced with a prosthesis after the orthodontic treatment is completed. This article discusses a new innovation and clinical technique for maintaining this space during orthodontic treatment by using an acrylic tooth with several modifications. This innovation will be illustrated using two cases.

Choosing the right light-curing unit can be a very difficult task for some orthodontists. Currently, there are various types of light curing units available in the market with various trade names and specifications. Most of the time information regarding light curing units is obtained from advertisements, websites or manufacturers' catalogues. Sometimes such information can be misleading. This article attempts to provide several tips for orthodontists in selecting light curing units.

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