Pulpitis – How effective are diagnostic tests?

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This review of clinical tests for the diagnosis of the condition of the dental pulp included 28 studies from 29 publications. The quality of the included studies was low providing limited scientific evidence regarding the accuracy and reproducibility of diagnostic tests.

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Oral examination for detecting oral cancer

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This review of the diagnostic accuracy of visual inspection compared with biopsy (gold standard) for the diagnosis or oral cancer and oral potentially malignant dissorders included 18 studies. For malignant lesions the pooled sensitivity was 88% (95%CI; 73% to 95%) and specificity 81%(95%CI; 51% to 95%).

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Early detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders

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This Cochrane review update of the diagnostic test accuracy of conventional oral examination, vital rinsing, light-based detection, mouth self-examination, remote screening, and biomarkers, used singly or in combination, for the early detection of OPMD or OSCC in apparently healthy adults included 18 studies.

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Endodontic diagnosis – conventional radiography versus cone beam computed tomography

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Mark-Steven Howe looks at this is diagnostic test accuracy review comparing conventional and cone-beam computed tomography for detecting persistent apical disease after root canal treatment.

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Early enamel caries: Detection and diagnosis

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This comparative analysis of 5 Cochrane caries diagnostic test accuracy studies provides summary estimates for most currently available technologies. However the certainty of the evidence is considered low and it is difficult to predict real world performance.

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Proximal caries diagnostic measures

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This review of diagnostic accuracy and reliability of commonly used caries detection methods for proximal caries included 36 studies the majority (31) being conducted in-vitro. A limited number of studies were available to assess most of the diagnostic tests and how the findings from in-vitro studies translates to the the clinical situation needs to be considered cautiously.

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Occlusal caries diagnostic measures

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This review of the diagnostic performance of commonly used methods for occlusal caries diagnoses included 37 studies the majority (29) being conducted in-vitro. While summary diagnostic performance datafor a muber of diagnistic methods is provided it should be treated cautiously as th data is limited in many areas.

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Oral cancer – adjunctive diagnostic tests

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This Cochrane review update was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of index tests for the detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders, in people presenting with clinically evident suspicious and innocuous lesions.

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Diagnostic accuracy of salvia tests for SARS-CoV-2

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This review of the use and diagnostic accuracy of saliva tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 included 16 studies. THe findings suggests good diagnostic accuracy but furteher research is needed to determine confounding factors such as method and time of sample collection, transport medium, storage etc. prior to population testing.

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Caries detection using visual or visual-tactile examination

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This diagnostic test accuracy review of visual classification systems for the detection and diagnosis of non-cavitated coronal dental caries in children or adults included 67 studies. The findings suggest that these classificationssystems have resonable performance but the certainty of the evidence is low.

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