Review finds limited evidence for laser treatment in comparison to conventional treatment of peri-implantitis

shutterstock_43147957

Peri-implantitis is a common reason for the failure of dental implants and a number of different treatments for managing this condition have been suggested (Dental Elf 26th Jan 2012). The aim of this review was to assess whether laser therapy was effective either as a monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of [read the full story…]

Review suggests that caries risk and number of restored surfaces impact on posterior composite survival rates

shutterstock_123309100

Dental amalgam has been the filing material for choice for more than 150 years. However, because of their aesthetics and concern over their mercury content their use has been declining. The Minamata Convention on Mercury has also proposed that their use be phased down according to local needs. The development of tooth-coloured resin composites from [read the full story…]

Review found no evidence showing that any particular type of dental implant had greater long-term success

shutterstock_48118414

Dental Implants now in regular use in dental practice. However they come in an almost bewildering array of sizes and materials and with a range of surface characteristics and modifications. Many of these modifications have been developed with the aim of improving clinical performance. This update of a Cochrane review which was last refreshed in [read the full story…]

Study finds that non-conventional caries management approaches are acceptable to children, parents and dentists

shutterstock_54042145 - Child, dentists & X-ray

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…]

Review suggests the shortened dental arch may be an acceptable approach

shutterstock_120486451

The shortened dental arch (SDA) consisting of ten pairs of occluding anterior and premolar teeth is considered sufficient to provide good oral function. The WHO goal for developing countries of 20 functional, aesthetic natural teeth without resorting to a prosthesis is consistent with the SDA.   The aim of this review was compare the functional outcomes [read the full story…]

Review suggests that electronic apex locators may be useful in primary dentition

shutterstock_18525676

Electronic apex locators (EALs) have used in permanent teeth since the 1960s and they have been gaining in popularity. The use of EALs in the primary dentitions was proposed in 1996. The aim of this review was to compare the accuracy of EALs in primary teeth when compared to actual root canal lengths (ARCLs). Searches [read the full story…]

Silicone impressions for complete dentures improve patients’ quality of life but increase costs

shutterstock_136822478

Yesterday (Dental Elf 10th July 2014) we looked at a trial that compared dentures made with silicone and alginate impression materials. In a study undertaken alongside that trial the authors aimed to assess the cost effectiveness of silicone and alginate impressions for complete dentures. The cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) took the perspective of the UK [read the full story…]

Trial found that patients preferred dentures made using silicone impressions

shutterstock_24108289

While oral health has improved in many countries there is still a continuing demand for non-implant prosthodontic treatment.   The aim of this trial was to whether there is a patient preference for dentures produced from alginate or silicone impressions Edentulous adults aged 18 or over who required new complete dentures were invited to participate. Those [read the full story…]

Review suggests little difference in failure rates of immediate or early loaded implants placed using a flapless technique

Cross section of a dental implant

Yesterday we considered a review which compared flapless and flapped placement of implants. (Dental Elf 8th July 2014). Today we are looking at one of the other reviews mentioned. The am of this review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of immediate loading (within 3 days) versus early loading (after 6 weeks to 2 months) [read the full story…]

Dental implants placement flapless or not?

shutterstock_67927216

Flapless implant placement where dental implants are inserted through the mucosal tissues without raising a mucoperiosteal flap have been introduced as they are considered to minimize the possibility of postoperative peri-implant tissue loss and to overcome the challenge of soft tissue management during or after surgery. The aim of this review was to investigate whether [read the full story…]