Self-applied dentifrices for managing dentine hypersensitivity

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This review and network meta-analyses of the effectiveness of self-applied dentifrices in the management of dentine hypersensitivity included 68 studies. Findings indicated that formulations including stannous, potassium +/- stannous, and arginine result in significant short ( 2-weeks) and long term inprovements. However the studies were hetrogeneous and only 4 were at low risk of bias.

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Does animal-assisted therapy help reduce dental anxiety?

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In this blog Rebecca Manson considers a systematic review assessing whether the use of animal-assisted therapy helps reduce anxiety during dental care in children and adolescents.

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Inferior alveolar nerve block 2% mepivacaine versus 4% articaine – trial

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This well conducted randomised controlled trial assessed inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) success of 2% mepivacaine and 4% articaine in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) in mandibular molars during access cavity preparation and instrumentation.

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Listening to music to reduce the pain and anxiety of third molar surgery

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This review assess of listening to music to reduce preoperative anxiety and pain during third molar extractions included 5 RCTs. The findings suggest reducction in preoperative anxiety but the quality and number of studies is limited.

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Single or multiple visit root canal therapy?

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This Cochrane review update comparing single and multiple vist root canal treatments in patients over the age of 10 included 47 RCTs. There was no evidence to suggest that one treatment regimen (single‐visit or multiple‐visit RoCT) is more effective than the other although more patients report pain in the first week with the single visit approach.

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Antibiotics for dental infections – Short or long duration courses?

Many drugs are licensed for use in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but it is unclear what works best.

This review comparing short (3–5 days) or longer courses (≥7 days) of antibiotics for the treatment of dental infections in general practice only included one small RCTs. No differences were seen between short an dlong courses but the findings should be interpreted cautiously becaise of the limited data available.

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Temporomandibular disorders – management with psychological therapies

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This Cochrane review of the effects of psychological therapies in people (aged 12 years and over) with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD)lasting 3 months or longer included 22 RCTs. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) was the most frequently studied but overall there was insufficient evidence on which to base a reliable judgement about the efficacy of psychological therapies for painful TMD

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Intraosseous injection or inferior alveolar nerve block for third molar surgery?

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This review comparing the anaesthetic efficacy of intraosseous injection(IO) and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (INAB) in mandibular third molar surgery included 4 small RCTs. The findings suggest no significant difference between IO and INAB techniques.

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Endodontic sealers and the outcome of endodontically treated permanent teeth

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This review comparig the outcomes of silicate-based sealers with resin-based sealers in non-surgical root treatments included 12 studies (9 RCTs). The findings suggest no difference between the two sealant types in the short term.

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The North American Opioid Crisis: how it came about and how to manage it

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Rob Poole explores the recently published Stanford-Lancet Commission report on the North American Opioid Crisis, which aims to understand the opioid crisis, propose solutions to the crisis in the USA and Canada, and attempt to stop its spread internationally.

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