The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of partial pulpotomies in cariously exposed pulps of young permanent molars using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide in a randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four teeth in 80 patients (aged 7-10yrs) having one or two first permanent molars with deep occlusal carious lesions that resulted [read the full story…]
Over the past 30 years there has been an increase in the use of tooth-coloured composite resin filing materials as an alternative to amalgam for restoring posterior teeth. Recent technical and material developments have improved the limitations of the early materials which were more likely to fail because of shrinkage, loss of form poor wear [read the full story…]
Dental amalgam has been the dental material of choice for many decades. Although, in recent years a greater focus on aesthetics and concerns related to the potential environmental impact of mercury coupled with a more conservative approach to cavity preparation and improvements in aesthetic restorative materials is leading to a decline it its use. In [read the full story…]
There has been much discussion in the UK about the possibility of banning smoking in cars when children are present. This latest summary from the ADA-EBD looks at a 2011 systematic review by Hanioka et al that considered the possibility of a link between second hand smoke (SHS) and dental caries that we first highlighted [read the full story…]
Cochrane reviews have clearly documented the anti-caries benefits of fluoridated toothpastes (Marhino et al 2003, Walsh et al 2010). New agents to improve caries prevention would assist efforts to reduce the impact of caries, particularly on children. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of two dentifrices containing 1.5% arginine, an insoluble [read the full story…]
The effectiveness of fluoride varnishes for caries prevention for children and adolescents is well established with the recent update of the Cochrane review (Marinho et al 2013) estimating the pooled preventive fraction of 43% (95% CI 30-75%) for permanent teeth and 37% (95% CI 24-51%) for primary teeth. However although 22 trails were included there [read the full story…]
The development of early, but reversible, carious lesions or demineralised white lesions (DWLs) is one adverse effect of fixed appliance orthodontic treatment. The prevalence has been reported to be as high 70%, and although the majority are minor and fade with time as they resolve about 10% cavity and may require filings. The main aim [read the full story…]
Having your teeth regularly examined by a dentist seems to have been recommended back as far the 18th Century (Richards 2002) and subsequently the six-monthly visit became de rigueur. The scientific basic for this interval was challenged by Sheiham in 1977 and there has subsequently been much debate about the clinical and cost-effectiveness of recall [read the full story…]
The aim of this clinical trial was to test the effectiveness of high-fluoride toothpaste (5000 ppm F) on root caries lesions in adults and to test the hypothesis that high concentration fluoride tooth- paste would effectively improve the surface hard- ness in root caries lesions in adult patients. Adult patients (18-75yrs) with 10 or more [read the full story…]
This ADA Critical Summary looked at a 2012 systematic review by Hafez et al. The aim of the review was to assess the relationship between dental crowding and the development of caries. The summariser notes that the search was comprehensive but the inclusion criteria were not clear. Studies were assessed for quality and all the [read the full story…]
