Does motivational Interviewing improve oral health?

This review of motivational interviewing (MI) for the oral morbidities in adults included 7 randomised controlled trials. The findings focused on periodontal outcomes suggesting that MI has the potential to improve plaque and bleeding indicies.

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AI in Dentistry: A Closer Look at Caries Detection

  Key points  Artificial intelligence (AI) models show promise for detecting cavities, but their accuracy varies depending on the method used. AI may be better at detecting early cavities than advanced ones. Professional and dental cameras provide better results than smartphone cameras. Background Dental caries is a widespread problem, and early detection is crucial. While [read the full story…]

Most popular Dental Elf Blogs Oct – Dec 2023

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Digital v confentional impressions for implant supported fixed prosthesis, extraction v non-extraction orthodontics and flap v flappless surgery for implant placement were popular blogs between October and December.

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Most popular Dental Elf Blogs July – Sep 2023

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Blogs on oil pulling for oral health, stress in patients and dentists during root canal treatment and incremental v bulk fill composite resin restorations were the most popular between July and September.

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Most popular Dental Elf Blogs Apr – Jun 2023

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Between April and July our most popular blogs looked at chewing gum for orthodontic pain, mouthwashes to promote gingival healing and the impact of malocclusion on quality of life.

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Most popular Dental Elf Blogs Jan – Mar 2023

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Topics covered in our most popular blogs in the first quarter of the 2023. included , selective caries removal, root canal dressings and pain management following dental extractions

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Articaine v lidocaine for third molar removal

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This review comparing the effectiveness of articaine and lidocaine for lower third molar surgery included 14 RCTs. The findings suggest that articaine is superior to lidocaine for use in lower third molar however the available are small so additional larger high quality studies would be helpful to strengthen the evidence.

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Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and bacterial load in endodontics

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This review of the efficacy of adjunctive photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on reducing bacterial load in the primary endodontic treatment of teeth with chronic apical periodontitis included 8 studies. While the findings suggest a benefit from aPDT the limited number and quality of the availabel studies mean the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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Curcumin for treatment of oral submucous fibrosis

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This review of the efficacy of curcumin in improving symptoms in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) included 13 RCTs. The main findings suggest no significant difference between curcumin and controls although the studies are small and heterogenous.

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Articaine-adverse effects in paediatric dental patients

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This review of the effects and adverse reactions between articaine and lidocaine in paediatric dental procedures included 8 RCTS. Three of the included studies were at high risk of bias 2 at low risk and 3 at unclear risk. The findings suggested no difference in adverse effects between the two anaesthetics with the certainty of evidence being assessed as moderate.

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