GEOGRAFIA Online TM Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 12 issue 5 (53 - 60) 53 © 2016, ISSN 2180-2491 The use of dental materials in periodontal therapy in Malaysia: An Islamic legal maxim analysis Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail 1 , Nadia Halib 2 , Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Salleh 1 , Setiyawan Gunardi 1 , Haslinda Ramli 2 , Nur Akilah Abdul Ghaffar 1 , Shofian Ahmad 2 1 Jabatan Syariah & Undang-Undang, Fakulti Syariah & Undang-Undang, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, 2 Fakulti Pergigian, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Correspondence: Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail (email: wanfattah@usim.edu.my) Abstract Malaysian Muslims are very sensitive to matters involving the law of halal and haram, especially in terms of food and drink. Quran and Hadith are the paramount basis for solving all problems, regardless of the places, circumstances and time range. Texts of the Quran and Sunnah are mostly of a general nature to facilitate the development of general principles and laws. These general principles will facilitate legal classification of the cases to date, including in connection with the treatment of materials or tools derived from the treatment of non-halal substances such as Biogide®, Emdogain® and Bio-Oss®. This study examined the current fatwas and principles of fiqh related to non-halal treatment that can be used as a guide for medical and dental practitioners. Information for this study was obtained from an analysis of fatwas, books of jurisprudence, medical scholars, Islamic jurists and experts’ opinion in connection with the use of dental treatment such as Biogide®, Emdogain® and Bio-Oss® in modern dental treatment. The study found a number of principles of jurisprudence that can be used in connection with necessity and limitations when performing a treatment using non-halal substances such as Biogide®, Emdogain® and Bio-Oss® , mamely, is Al-Darurat Tubihu al-Mahzurat (emergency justifies the unlawful means) , Al-Darurat Tuqaddaru Biqadariha (something that is permissible due to emergency must be adapted equally with the rate of emergency) and Istihalah (changing one state to another i.e. from haram to halal). Keywords: dental material, fatwa, fiqh, halal, periodontal, principle of emergency Introduction In Malaysia, Muslims are very sensitive to matters involving the law of halal and haram, especially in terms of food and drink. Faridah Jalil and Nurhafilah Musa (2012) argues that the food and other products are one of the contributing factors to unity or disunity in the society of all races, religions and cultures. Product manufacturers need to take into account the overall sensitivity of the Malaysian people towards a product. Generally, halal means clean, pure, and is something that is allowed by the legislation. Instead, haram means impure, dirty and something that is prohibited by legislation. Most medical issues highlighted involves the use of drugs mixed with non-halal substances or impurities such as pigs, carcasses and bodies such as meningitis vaccine status, vaccine Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the use of drugs Clexane and Fraxiparine, the use of tissue graft and many more. However, the use of the non-halal material in dental treatment were less highlighted even it has similar issue of non- halal substances in materials such as Biogide®, Emdogain® and Bio-Oss®. These materials are used in the treatment of growth of new tissue to regenerate dental function.