The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as with many of the other joints, can be affected by osteoarthritis (OA). This is characterized by progressive destruction of the internal surfaces of the joint which can result in debilitating pain and joint noises. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis affecting the TMJ. The aim of this [read the full story…]
Last Friday we looked at a review that looked at the evidence for the management of fractured condyles in adults. The aim of this review was to give a comprehensive overview of the international literature, including case reports and clinical studies, focusing on management and outcome of CFs in children and adolescents. What did they [read the full story…]
Fractured mandibular condyles are common representing 25-35% of all mandibular fractures. They are treated by conservative management (CM) or open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) but the evidence to support superiority of one method over the other has not been assessed. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the interventions that can [read the full story…]
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be life threatening and its link with good mouth care is a topic we have covered before on Dental Elf (18th April 2012 and 28th Nov 2011). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oral swabbing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in [read the full story…]
We originally highlighted this review by Terezakis E et al at the end of last year, but the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York has just completed a more in-depth appraisal of the review. The CRD summary says:- The authors found that oral health appeared to deteriorate during hospitalisation, especially [read the full story…]
This critical appraisal of a update of a systematic review was prepared under the auspices of the American Dental Associations Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry. The aim of the review (Mickenautsch & Yengopal 2011) was to assess the caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth. This 2011 review was itself an [read the full story…]
Pain is not an uncommon experience during orthodontic treatment, and has been reported as a cause of treatment discontinuation. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for patients experiencing pain during orthodontic treatment. Eligible patients were randomised into three groups CBT intervention(n=150), ibuprofen intervention(n=150), and [read the full story…]
The removal of third molars is one of the commonest surgical procedures undertaken and the majority of patients develop some degree ofpain, swelling, and trismus after the surgery. Some investigators have stated that low-level laser energy irradiation (LLEI) decreases pain and swelling after surgery, and that it would contribute to a faster recovery. The aim [read the full story…]
There have been a number of stories in the press regarding the recent paper by Claus et al on dental X-rays and meningiomas. Meningiomas are mostly benign tumours which arise from the dura mater and are usually slow-growing. They are the most common benign brain tumour although relatively uncommon with an incidence of around 6 [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…]
