Glass ionomer restorations and caries prevention

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This review of the effectiveness of glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorations in preventing new caries in primary or permanent dentitions included 10 RCTs. The findings suggest that GIC restorations have a better preventive effect that other materials but the amount and quality of evidence is limited.

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Dental implant placement in patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy

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The use of dental implants has steadily increased and in recent years the largest increase has been noted in patients aged between 65-74 years.  This age group are also likely to be on long-term prescription of antiplatelet and oral anticoagulants as prophylaxis against thromboembolic events. Dental implant placement as a surgical procedure presents a risk [read the full story…]

Silver diamine fluoride: The effect on vital dental pulp

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In this review Iris Vaid looks at a systematic review of the dental pulp response to silver diamine flouride (SDF) treatment. Only a small number of studies focused on the biological effects of SDF on the dental pulp and none of them were clinical trials.

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Radiotherapy and dental implant survival

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This review assessing the effect of radiotherapy on the survival of dental implants in patients with head and neck cancer included 7 studies involving a total of 441 patients. implant survival rate was lower in irradiated patients with odds ratio = 4.77 (95%CI; 2.57 to 8.89) based on 4 studies.

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Pre-treatment mouthwash to reduce patient to dentist infections

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This Cochrane review of the effects of preprocedural mouth rinses used in dental clinics to minimise incidence of infection in dental healthcare providers included 17 RCTs. The studies measured only reduction in level of bacterial contamination in aerosols with no studies evaluating viral or fungal contamination.The evidence was of low or very low certainty.

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Summer Break

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  The Dental Elf is taking a short ‘summer’ break  and will be back on the 5th September

Miswak use for periodontal health in adults

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This review of the effectiveness of the miswak in reducing plaque and gingivitis in adults included 9 RCTs. The included studies were small with the findings indicating that the miswak reduced plaque and gingivitis scores to a level comparable to toothbrush in the short term.

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Vital pulp therapies in the management of nontraumatic pulpitis

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Thibault Colloc takes a look at this review of vital pulp therapies in mature and immature permanent teeth with nontraumatic pulpitis. Only 3 RCTs reported in 4 papers involving a total of 330 patients were included. Further high quality well reported studies are needed to clarify the evidence for vital pulp therapies.

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Temporomandibular disorders – management with psychological therapies

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This Cochrane review of the effects of psychological therapies in people (aged 12 years and over) with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD)lasting 3 months or longer included 22 RCTs. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) was the most frequently studied but overall there was insufficient evidence on which to base a reliable judgement about the efficacy of psychological therapies for painful TMD

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Adult dental anxiety – management strategies

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This review of current management strategies for adult patients with dental anxiety in the dental clinic included 54 studies. Most of the psychotherapeutic behavioural strategies provided some benefits but there was limited supporting evidence for some approaches. Pharmocological approaches were not included.

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