Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus just over a year ago we have published a number of dental blogs relevant to COVID-19. The blogs cover topics such as dental teams’ generic risk of disease, baseline risk of covid-19, asymptomatic patients and the risk of community spread, digital thermometers, mouthwash use, surgical mask types, gown [read the full story…]
This review of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in differentiating periapical lesions of endodontic origin in comparison with histopathology included 12 studies. While the findings suggest good levels of sensitifity and specificity for diagnosing periapical cysts and granulomasthere are concerns regarding the quality of the evidence.
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This review of the use of as a sample for the detection of SARS-COV-2 included 22 studies ( 2 case reports, 17 case series and 3 mass screenings) while SARS-CoV-2 is detected in saliva additional high quality studies are needed to determine efficacy.
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This Cochrane review of the diagnostic accuracy of different electrical conductance devices for the detection and diagnosis of non-cavitated coronal dental caries included 7 studies. The quality of the studies mean we are very uncertain of how electrical conductance devices are in detecting and diagnosing early tooth decay.
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This Cochrane review of the diagnostic accuracy of different dental imaging methods for early enamel lesions included 104 datasets from 77 studies. Low-certainty evidence suggests that imaging for the detection or diagnosis of early tooth decay may result in a relatively high proportion of false-negative results.
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This review the efficacy of stabilisation appliances in the management of painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) included 24 RCTs. The findings suggest they have an efficacy beyond the placebo effect however the evidence of low to very low certainty.
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This review of whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is effective in reducing postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing surgical removal of mandibular third molars included 17 RCTs. The findings suggest a reduction in post-operative swelling but not pain or trismus.
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This review of the potential association between zinc levels and occurrence of Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) included 19 case-controlled studies. The findings show a sigificant association between low zinc levels and RAS.
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This review of the effectiveness of behavioural change techniques (BCTs) on individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment included 10 studies involving 1017 patients. While the interventions tested improved oral health behaviours the quality of the evidence is very low.
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