This Cochrane review of drug interventions for pain during orthodontic treatment including 32 RCTs find that analgesics were effective in reducing pain. However, low quality evidence did not show a difference in effectiveness between systemic NSAIDs compared with paracetamol, or topical NSAIDs compared with local anaesthetic.
[read the full story...]
This Cochrane review of cytokines and growth factors for preventing oral mucositis in patients having cancer treatment included 35 RCTs finding keratinocyte growth factor beneficial in the prevention of oral mucositis .
[read the full story...]
This review of the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and oral lichen planus (OLP) identified 19 case-controlled studies. While a 6-fold increase in risk of HCV infection was noted in OLP patients a majority of the studies took place in areas with high endemic HCV rates and there is some concern regarding publication bias and the quality of the available studies.
[read the full story...]
Only 4 mainly retrospective studies were identified for this review of the influence of orthodontic bracket size on treatment outcomes. While greater efficiency was suggested with the 0.018-inch bracket the quality of the evidence is limited a higher quality studies are needed.
[read the full story...]
Sixteen studies were included in this review of oral appliances for sleep bruxism. The included studies were small and mainly short term and only 7 studies were RCTs . Although the availabel evidence suggests a short term benefit further high-quality studies of longer duration are needed.
[read the full story...]
This review comparing the treatment effects of lingual and buccal orthodontic appliances only identified 4 small low quality studies. No differences were found however the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
[read the full story...]
This review comparing low level laser therapy (LLLT) with steroids for the treatment of oral lichen planus only identified 5 studies none of which were at low risk of bias. Further high quality trials are needed to assess the efficacy of LLLT.
[read the full story...]
25 studies were included in this review of denture hygiene practices. Mechanical interventions in conjunction with chemical agents were the most effective, Denture brushing was the most common patient practice.
[read the full story...]
Eight low quality studies were included in this review of the effect of scaling and root planing, professional tooth cleaning together with oral hygiene instructions on halitosis. All the studies demonstrated a positive effect but the findings need to be interpret cautiously.
[read the full story...]
This small trial compared the restoration of the posterior reduced dental arch with either a denture or no denture. They found greater satisfaction and quality of life in the no denture group.
[read the full story...]
