Articaine or Lidocaine for third molar removal?

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This review of anaesthetic efficiency of articaine for lower third molar extraction included 9 RCTs ( 493 patients -770 lower molars). The findings suggest that 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine possesses superior anaesthetic efficiency relative to lidocaine.

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Bone augmentation in atrophic mandibles; autogenous bone or biomaterial?

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This review of bone augmentation with biomaterials or autogenous bone in the posterior mandible outcomes included 4 small split-mouth studies demonstrating similar were outcomes with both materials.

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Third molars: Regenerative techniques for preventing periodontal defects

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This review of the effectiveness of regenerative periodontal treatment for preventing periodontal defects following third molar surgery included 21 RCTs and suggested that these approaches were effective. However a majority of the included studies were at high risk of bias so the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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Autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation have good success rates

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This review of success and survival rates and complications of autotransplantation of teeth with incomplete root formation included 32 observational studies only 5 of which were considered to be of high quality. Good success rates were noted but findings should be interpreted cautiously

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Cleft lip and palate: maxillary distraction osteogenesis or orthognathic surgery for hypoplastic maxilla?

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This Cochrane review update of the effects and long-term results of maxillary distraction osteogenesis compared to orthognathic surgery for the treatment of hypoplastic maxilla in people with cleft lip and palate only includes 1 small RCT. The trial suggests that distraction osteogenesis may produce more satisfactory results however the trial is considered to be at very high risk of bias so the findings should be viewed cautiously.

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Orthognathic surgery: Are perioperative steroids beneficial?

Bariatric surgery and marked weight loss is likely to improve knee complaints but there is a need for high quality studies

This review of perioperative systemic corticosteroids on clinically important outcomes in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery identified 8 small RCTs. A reduction in facial oedema was seen in those receiving systemic corticosteroids. However the quality of the studies is limited and there is lack of evidence on other outcomes or adverse effects.

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Bicycle helmets and facial injuries

Get on your bikes kids!

This review of the effect of bicycle helmet use on facial injuries included 9 observational studies involving 23,461 patients. Those wearing helmets were less likely to sustain a facial injury (OR = 0.69, 95%CI; 0.63– 0.75)

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Keratocysts: conservative treatment approaches?

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29 mainly retrospective studies were included in this review of conservative management approaches for odontogenic keratocysts. While the findings suggest use of decompression followed by enucleation data for recurrence were lower than those found in previous reviews of the topic. High quality prospective studies are needed.

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Orthognathic surgery: limited evidence on antibiotic prophylaxis?

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

2 reviews and 2 RCTs were discussed in this review of the effect of antibiotics on postoperative infections in orthognathic surgery. There is a lack ofclarity on the preferred antibiotic and the optimal duration of administration.

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Mandibular angle fractures – Do third molars have an influence?

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16 observational studies were included in this review of the association between the presence of a lower third molar and the occurrence of a mandibular angle fracture in adults. The findings suggest that the odds of fracture are 3.16 (95%CI; 2.2- 4.54) higher in the presence of third molars

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