20 RCTs were included in this review of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for orthodontic pain. While the findings suggest a benefit a majority of the studies were at high risk of bias so the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
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8 small studies were included in this review comparing en masse retraction and two-step retraction for orthodontic space closure. While both were effective the en masse/miniscrew combination demonstrated a small statistically significant benefit in terms of incisor retraction and anchorage preservation.
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4 RCTs were included in this review of Nickel- titanium closing springs (NiTi-CS) and elastomeric power chains (EPC). The findings suggest there is medium quality evidence that space closure is faster with NiTi-CS.
[read the full story...]Our most popular Dental Elf blogs September-December 2017.
[read the full story...]2017 Dental Elf end of year round up Jan – April.
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This review of powered toothbrushes for periodontal health in orthodontic patients included 9 small RCTs. A small statistically significant benefit was noted in short term use.
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8 studies were included in this review of vibrational stimulus to accelerate orthodontic treatment. The studies were small and of short duration providing very low quality evidence to support any effect. Further high quality studies of longer duration are needed.
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This Cochrane review of drug interventions for pain during orthodontic treatment including 32 RCTs find that analgesics were effective in reducing pain. However, low quality evidence did not show a difference in effectiveness between systemic NSAIDs compared with paracetamol, or topical NSAIDs compared with local anaesthetic.
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Only 4 mainly retrospective studies were identified for this review of the influence of orthodontic bracket size on treatment outcomes. While greater efficiency was suggested with the 0.018-inch bracket the quality of the evidence is limited a higher quality studies are needed.
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This review comparing the treatment effects of lingual and buccal orthodontic appliances only identified 4 small low quality studies. No differences were found however the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
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