Self-ligating brackets: Brace yourself! It’s time for some spring cleaning!

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The Scottish Dental Registrars on a recent systematic review of the effects of self-ligating brackets and conventional brackets on the periodontal status of adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment.

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Toothbrushes: are tapered or end-rounded filaments best?

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This review of the effect of tapered or end-rounded filament toothbrushes on clinical parameters included just 5 RCTs providing inconclusive evidence to recommend one type over another.

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Gingival recession: long term outcomes of no treatment

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Six studies were included in this review of gingival recession. The findings suggest that in patients with good oral hygiene recession is likely to progress.

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Orthodontic retainers: impact on periodontal health

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While 24 studies were included in this review of the impact of orthodontic retainers on periodontal health there was a lack of high quality evidence to support any particular retainer on this or a range of other parameters. More well-designed and long terms studies are required.

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Periodontal disease associated with persistent cannabis use #CannabisMatters

Longitudinal studies are required to assess whether cannabis use leads to increased risk of depression

This study of the impact of cannabis use on physical health used participants from the 1972-3 Dunedin birth cohort. An association between cannabis use and poorer periodontal health at age 38 years and within-individual decline in periodontal health from ages 26 to 38 years was found.

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Study suggests that text reminders may improve oral hygiene compliance during orthodontic treatment

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Compliance with oral hygiene measures during orthodontic treatment is important in order to prevent white spot lesions (WSL) developing.  The aim of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between reminding patients of the importance of oral hygiene via weekly text message reminders sent to their parents/guardians and demonstrated oral hygiene compliance. [read the full story…]

Open or closed surgical technique for displaced palatal canines did not affect periodontal outcomes in short term

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It is reported that around 13% of upper canines can be displaced, the majority of these being palatally displaced.  Controversy exists on whether a closed techniques of moving a canine into its correct position beneath the palatal mucosa (closed technique) is preferential to an open technique which involves moving the canine into its correct position [read the full story…]