This randomised controlled trial looked at the efficacy of an occlusal splint or joint mobilization self-exercise for confirmed anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Fifty-two individuals with ADDwoR were randomised to a splint or a joint mobilization self-exercise treatment group. Four outcome variables were evaluated: maximum mouth opening range without pain maximum mouth opening range [read the full story…]
Powered toothbrushes have been shown to reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual brushing (Robinson et al). This systematic review looked at the the relative soft and/or hard tissue safety outcomes with the use of oscillating-rotating toothbrushes compared to manual toothbrushes. Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central), and the Embase, were searched [read the full story…]
This systematic review looked at whether acupuncture is effective for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Searches were conducted in 13 databases, Medline, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, seven Korean Medical Databases and a Chinese Medical Database. The authors looked for parallel or cross-over randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for TMD regardless of [read the full story…]
This systematic review looked at the evidence for the diagnostic thinking efficacy and therapeutic efficacy of computed tomography (CT) and (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). Medline, the Cochrane Library databases and reference list of review articles were searched. Publications considered relevant were interpreted with the aid of the Quality Assessment of [read the full story…]
This review evaluates the relationship between second-hand smoke (SHS) and dental caries in epidemiological studies. Only Medline and reference lists of identified articles were searched. The review included 14 studies, one cohort and 14 case-controls. Quality was assessed using the modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. They found, 11 studies examined early childhood caries, with a significant independent [read the full story…]
This systematic review looks at whether laser therapy is more effective than desensitising agents for treating dentine hypersensitivity (DH). DH is a common problem characterised by a short sharp pain which cannot be ascribed to any or dental problem. It has increased in prevalence over the last few decades with prevalence being reported as high [read the full story…]
This clinical trial was one of the two included in the recently published Cochrane Review and has itself just been published. It was a multi-centred trial that took place at One District General Hospital Orthodontic Department and two Specialist Orthodontic Practices. Orthodontic patients aged between 10 and 18 years old, were randomly allocated to either receive [read the full story…]
A new systematic review reports inconclusive evidence on chlorhexidine varnish for preventing caries in children and adolescents. The reviewers set out to establish its effectiveness compared with placebo or no treatment. A secondary aim was to summarise the evidence of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine varnish compared to fluoride varnish. The authors searched Medline, Embase and [read the full story…]
About 75% of cleft lip and palate patients have a bony defect in the gum of the mouth (alveolar cleft). If not repaired it gives rise to many problems. While bone grafting is widely accepted by professionals in cleft care, there is still controversy around the technique, timing, site from which bone is taken and [read the full story…]
This new Cochrane review compares methods of fixing tubes on back (molar) teeth to allow the wires need to move the teeth pass through them. These can be welded to bands cemented to teeth or glued (bonded) directly to the teeth. They only found two well designed trials which suggest that bonded molar tubes are [read the full story…]
