Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive subepithelial connective tissue fibrosis. This can involve the oral cavity, pharynx and upper third of the oesphagus. It is more commonly found in patients in the Asian subcontinent and the Far East. The aetiology is considered to be multi-factorial with areca nut chewing, nutritional [read the full story…]
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is usually episodic and self-limiting but can produce severe ulcers that interfere with eating speaking and swallowing. Minor RAS (MiRAS) is the most common form. The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of berberine (an isoquinoline alkaloid originally isolated from medicinal herbs) in the treatment of [read the full story…]
Some of the evidence used to in the formulation of the NICE guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive dental procedures that we discussed yesterday was the recognition that everyday oral activities cause bacteraemia (Dental Elf 10th May 2011). This new cross-sectional study by Zhang et al looked the bacteraemia caused by flossing compared with scaling [read the full story…]
December brings two new protocols to the Cochrane Library from the Cochrane Oral Health Group. The first of these:- Liu JLY, Walsh T, Kerr AR, Lingen M, Brocklehurst P, Ogden G, Warnakulasuriya S, Scully C. Diagnostic tests for oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders in patients presenting with clinically evident lesions (Protocol). Cochrane Database of [read the full story…]
The prevalence of mouth ulcers (recurrent aphthous stomatitis , RAS) has been estimated at between 5 – 60%. They can be painful and slow to heal. There are three recognized forms; minor, major and herpetiform. The peak age at onset is between 10 and 19 years of age but they can persist through adulthood. The [read the full story…]
Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a common chronic immunological disease the treatment of which remains a challenge for clinicians. Two Cochrane reviews have recently been published regarding the treatment of OLP (Chang et al 2012 and Thongorasom et al 2011 ). The quality of evidence for treatments for OLP is weak, but topical steroids are [read the full story…]
Yesterday we looked at a study that looked at multivitamins for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Today we have another study whose aim was to explore the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone ointment in the treatment of RAS. What did they do This was a multi-centre trail conducted across 5 centres in China. [read the full story…]
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases. Minor RAS is the most common form of the disease. The exact cause of RAS is still unknown and genetics, vitamin deficiencies, trauma, and immune dysfunction have been cited as possible causes. The aim of this study was to see whether a [read the full story…]
The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) has launched an app for use on iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® based on the second edition of their Drug Prescribing for Dentistry guidance. The app aims to facilitate drug prescribing within primary care dental practice by providing mobile access to the latest dentally relevant information compiled from [read the full story…]
The keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT, odontogenic keratocyst (OKC)) was first described in the literature in 1956 and is classified by the World Health Organization classified as a benign odontogenic tumour. It is generally accepted that they arise from the remnants of the dental lamina and are benign but locally aggressive and tend to reoccur. They [read the full story…]
