Self-ligating brackets: Brace yourself! It’s time for some spring cleaning!

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The Scottish Dental Registrars on a recent systematic review of the effects of self-ligating brackets and conventional brackets on the periodontal status of adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment.

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Toothbrushes: are tapered or end-rounded filaments best?

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This review of the effect of tapered or end-rounded filament toothbrushes on clinical parameters included just 5 RCTs providing inconclusive evidence to recommend one type over another.

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Gingival recession: long term outcomes of no treatment

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Six studies were included in this review of gingival recession. The findings suggest that in patients with good oral hygiene recession is likely to progress.

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Orthodontic retainers: impact on periodontal health

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While 24 studies were included in this review of the impact of orthodontic retainers on periodontal health there was a lack of high quality evidence to support any particular retainer on this or a range of other parameters. More well-designed and long terms studies are required.

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Periodontal disease associated with persistent cannabis use #CannabisMatters

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This study of the impact of cannabis use on physical health used participants from the 1972-3 Dunedin birth cohort. An association between cannabis use and poorer periodontal health at age 38 years and within-individual decline in periodontal health from ages 26 to 38 years was found.

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Study suggests that text reminders may improve oral hygiene compliance during orthodontic treatment

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Compliance with oral hygiene measures during orthodontic treatment is important in order to prevent white spot lesions (WSL) developing.  The aim of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between reminding patients of the importance of oral hygiene via weekly text message reminders sent to their parents/guardians and demonstrated oral hygiene compliance. [read the full story…]

Open or closed surgical technique for displaced palatal canines did not affect periodontal outcomes in short term

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It is reported that around 13% of upper canines can be displaced, the majority of these being palatally displaced.  Controversy exists on whether a closed techniques of moving a canine into its correct position beneath the palatal mucosa (closed technique) is preferential to an open technique which involves moving the canine into its correct position [read the full story…]