Occlusal stabilisation appliances for temporomandibular disorders

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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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Third molar surgery: Does low-level laser therapy reduce post-operative morbidity?

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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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Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and serum zinc levels

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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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Oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients

The authors recommended that people with severe mental illness should be given help with oral hygiene.

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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Dentures: Overnight storage and Candida Albicans colonisation

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This review of the effect of overnight storage conditions on complete denture colonization by Candida albicans included 6 small studies. The available evidence is limited and of low quality so well conducted and reported trials of appropriate size and required.

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Post-operative endodontic symptoms: Are they improved by prophylactic antibiotics?

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This review of the efficacy of prophylactic oral antibiotics in the management of post-operative endodontic symptoms included 10 RCTs. The findings and show that there is no superiority in using adjunctive antibiotics for the prevention of post-operative endodontic symptoms.

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Tooth extraction: Do antibiotics prevent complications?

The authors sought to review available literature relating to SSRI withdrawal syndromes

This Cochrane review update of the effect of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis on the prevention of infectious complications following tooth extractions included 23 studies. There was very-low certainty evidence that prophylactic antibiotics may reduce the risk of infection and dry socket following third molar extraction compared to placebo.

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Tobacco cessation delivered by dental professionals

These are promising findings, but we are some way from being able to recommend specific interventions to help people stick with their smoking cessation medication.

This review of tobacco cessation interventions offered by dental professionals included 20 clinical trials. Advice and support form dental professionals that involved NRT or e-cigarettes was more likely to help patients stop smoking

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Oral manifestations of COVID-19

Covid-19

This review of the oral signs and symptoms in patients with COVID-19 includes 40 studies (33 cross-sectional and 7 case reports). The findings show a significant association with taste disorders but little in relation to other oral disorders. As this is planned to be a living review it will be interesting to see if further evidence emerges.

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Irreversible pulpitis: Do larger volumes of local anaesthetic improve success of inferior alveolar nerve blocks?

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This review of the efficacy of 1.8 and 3.6 mL of the same anaesthetic solution for inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANBs) for treating mandibular teeth with irreversible pulpitis included 4 RCTs (280 teeth). The findings show arger volumes of local anaesthetic solutions significantly increase the success rate of IANBs.

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