We are seeing a move towards more conservative methods of managing caries and also an increasing need to consider the patients perspectives of treatment. This study aimed to compare children’s behaviour and pain perception when approximal dentinal caries lesions in primary molars (in children aged 3–8 years old) were managed with three treatment strategies; conventional [read the full story…]
The recommended treatment for apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess is removal of the source of inflammation or infection by local, operative measures ie tooth extraction or pulp extirpation possibly in combination with the incision and drainage of any swelling present. Antibiotics are only recommended where there is evidence of spreading infection or systemic symptoms. [read the full story…]
There is a well-established association between sugar and dental caries which was reinforced in a recent systematic review by Moynihan and Kelly (Dental Elf 12th Dec 2013). S ugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) which have sucrose (table sugar), high-fructose corn syrup or fruit- juice concentrates, either as purchased or added after purchase have seen sales and consumption [read the full story…]
Tooth decay and gum disease are two of the commonest, but preventable diseases known to man. Regular and effective toothbrushing play an important role in the prevention of these diseases. Powered toothbrushes (PTBs) have been available since the 1960s and the question of whether they are better than manual toothbrushes (MTBs) has been with us [read the full story…]
Dental caries remains a major public health problem. It has been demonstrated in in vitro studies that Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has a remineralising effect on enamel lesions. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the long-term (>3 months) remineralizing effect of CPP-ACP on early caries lesions in vivo compared with placebo [read the full story…]
Despite fails in caries level in recent decades caries is still a significant problem for many children The aim of this study was to compare the effect of infiltration and fissure sealing with fluoride varnish applications. Children aged 5-8 with at least three primary molars with initial lesions on three occlusal surfaces in each child [read the full story…]
There is good quality review evidence (Ahovuo-Saloranta et al. 2013) that resin-based fissure sealants are effective at preventing or controlling occlusal caries. The aim of this trial was to assess whether sealing first permanent molars with fluoride releasing compounds reduced the caries increment on the distal surface of the second primary molars. Children with at [read the full story…]
There is good evidence for the effectiveness of fissure sealants in the prevention of caries (Dental Elf 8th April 2013) and some evidence for its use in the treatment of carious lesions. There is also evidence for the effectiveness of partial rather complete caries removal (Dental Elf 13th Apr – 2014).The aim of this study [read the full story…]
The use of motivational interviewing is increasing in dentistry and the recent SIGN guideline (Dental Elf 18th March 2014) recommended that oral health promotion interventions should be based on recognised health behaviour theory and models such as motivational interviewing. The aim of this review was to analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in changing oral [read the full story…]
The aim of this study was to compare 24-month pulp health outcomes of partial caries removal (PCR) and total caries removal (TCR) with composite restoration in primary molars. Children (3–8 years), in good general health and amenable to treatment, with at least one molar with acute, deep carious lesion into dentine were included. The teeth [read the full story…]
