Vitamin D and periodontitis

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This review compared vitamin D levels in individuals with or without periodontitis, and the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) +vitamin D on periodontal clinical parameters in patients with periodontitis. The findings suggest a possible benefit but the quality of evidence means the findings should be interpreted very cautiously.

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Air polishing in supportive periodontal treatment

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This review comparing of air polishing devices with conventional periodontal therapy (hand instrumentation and/or ultrasonic debridement), in patients undergoing periodontal maintenance therapy included 14 RCTs. The findings suggest that they have comparable clinical efficay although the evidence is of low certainty.

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Power toothbrushes – Sonic or oscillating-rotating?

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This review of the efficacy of oscillating-rotating power toothbrush compared to high-frequency sonic power toothbrush includes 32 RCTs. The findings show moderate certainty evidence in favour of the oscillating-rotating however the clinical relevance may not be important.

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Mobile applications and behaviour change in orthodontic patients

This RCT looked at whether Mentalization Based Treatment for Adolescents reduced self-harming beahviour

This review of the effectiveness of mobile applications and social media-based interventions in inducing behaviour change among orthodontic patients included 16 RCTs. While the findings suggest some limited beneficial changes in orthodontic patients the interventions are very hetrogeneous and not based on clear behavioural change theory.

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Orthodontic ligation methods and biofilm formation

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This review comparing elastomeric ligation with self-ligation and steel wire ligation for orthodontic appliances and their effect on clinical outcomes included 11 RCTs. The findings suggest no significant differences although the trials were small with a majority at high risk of bias.

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Probiotics and gingival inflammation

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This review of the effect of probiotics on gingival inflammation and oral microbiota in patients suffering from plaque-induced gingivitis included 11 RCTs. No clear evidence was found to indicate that oral probiotics have a positive effect on gingival inflammation and oral microecological environment of patients with gingivitis.

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Powered toothbrushes and plaque control in orthodontic patients

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Typically, fixed appliance orthodontic treatment can last 18-24 months. As the presence of orthodontic appliance encourages plaque accumulation the maintenance of good oral hygiene is important is prevent adverse oral health outcomes.  The small head sizes of powered toothbrushes are considered to assist effective oral hygiene and have been sown to benefit oral health. The [read the full story…]

Non-surgical periodontal treatment and quality of life

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This review of the impact of of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on oral health-related quality of life included 12 studies. The findings suggest that NSPT improves oral health-related quality of life in the short-term.

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Oral hygiene advice: Use of mobile phone applications in children and adolescents

There's huge potential for smartphones to be used in this kind of research

This review of the effectiveness of interventions delivered by mobile phones in improving adherence to oral hygiene advice for children and adolescents included just 2 small RCTs involving a total of 130 patients. The findings suggest that mobile phones are effective in improving adherence to oral hygiene advice in orthodontic patients.

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Aloe vera mouthwash: how does it compare with chlorhexidine?

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This review of the efficacy of aloe vera mouthrinse on plaque and gingival inflammation includes 6 RCTS providing very low quality evidence that aloe vera mouthwash is comparable to chlorhexidine in reducing gingival inflammation.

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