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Background: Zinc L-carnosine promotes the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase of wound healing by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory signals and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory signals. This prospective cohort study aims to test the effect of a zinc–L-carnosine mouthwash in promoting oral surgical wound healing. Methods: From October 2022 to February 2023, the authors enrolled healthy adult volunteers who needed the extraction of bilateral molars at the Unit of Dentistry of the University of Bari. The authors studied the baseline wound healing of each patient after the first extraction. Three months later, the patients underwent the second extraction and rinsed their mouths with zinc–L-carnosine mouthwash twice per day for the following 28 postoperative days. For a month after each extraction, the patients received weekly follow-up visits by an oral surgeon blinded about the study to record the modified healing index score of the wounds (range 0–6 points). For statistical analysis, we used the one-tailed t-test for paired samples with a significance level set at p < 0.05 to compare the baseline scores with those recorded during the exposure to the zinc–L-carnosine mouthwash. Results: The authors enrolled four women and six men (mean age = 44.60 ± 19.22 years). On the seventh and fourteenth postoperative days, the mean difference between the modified healing index scores obtained by using the zinc–L-carnosine mouthwash and the baseline was not significant. On the twenty-first postoperative day, the mean score obtained by using the mouthwash was 5.2 ± 1.3 points and was significantly higher than the 4.7 ± 1.8 points of the baseline (p = 0.026). On the twenty-eighth postoperative day, the mean difference was significant as well (5.9 ± 0.3 points and 5.4 ± 1.1 points, respectively). Conclusion: The preliminary results of this study showed that the zinc–L-carnosine mouthwash improved the quality of oral surgical wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most frequently used and universally accepted technique for removing caries is mechanical ablation of decayed tissues by rotating drills. New minimally invasive strategies, such as the use of lasers to perform highly controlled tissue ablation, have been introduced in dental practice. The aim of this study was to assess and compare treatment with a 2940 nm erbium/yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser versus a conventional rotary treatment during cavity preparation in children with regard to restoration integrity. In a randomized, controlled, blinded trial using a split-mouth design, 40 (9–12-year-old) children with 80 carious primary molars were included. The cavity in one quadrant was randomized to be treated conventionally using a bur, while the cavity in the other quadrant was prepared using an Er:YAG laser. At the one-year follow-up, clinical examinations were conducted to assess the integrity of the restorations according to the Ryge criteria. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The average age of the participants was 9.4 ± 1.29 years. Males accounted for 51.4% of the participants. The Ryge criteria showed clinical success of restorations, and there was no discernible difference between the conventional and laser intervention techniques. Over one year, no statistically significant differences in the clinical integrity based on the Ryge criteria were found following class I cavity preparation in primary teeth with either procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : To three-dimensionally assess and visualize the eruption path and development of the maxillary canine following alveolar bone grafting in patients born with cleft lip and palate. A further objective of this analysis was to assess how the presence of the lateral incisor impacts the eruption path of the canine. Design : Observational follow-up study. Setting : Stockholm Craniofacial Team, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Patients : Thirty children born with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip with or without palate were consecutively included. Intervention : CBCT scans of the maxilla were taken six months before and six months after the alveolar bone-grafting surgery for each patient. Main Outcome Measures : Canine eruption (angulation and vertical movement) and canine development (length and volume). Results : There was a significant difference pre- and post-operatively of the canine angulation between the cleft and non-cleft sides. The mean angulation on the cleft side was 14.7° (SD = 11.1°) while on the non-cleft side, it was 4.9° (SD = 9.2°). No significant differences were noted between cleft-side and non-cleft side canines in terms of amount of vertical eruption and volumetric development. Absence of the lateral incisor did not significantly contribute to either canine angulation or its vertical eruption on the cleft-side. Conclusion : Higher angulation of the canine on the cleft side indicates a higher risk of future canine impaction. Presence or absence of the lateral incisor did not significantly affect canine angulation or its vertical eruption. Increased age and children born with total cleft lip and palate imply a higher risk of angulated canines on the cleft side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most frequently used and universally accepted technique for removing caries is mechanical ablation of decayed tissues by rotating drills. New minimally invasive strategies, such as the use of lasers to perform highly controlled tissue ablation, have been introduced in dental practice. The aim of this study was to assess and compare treatment with a 2940 nm erbium/yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser versus a conventional rotary treatment during cavity preparation in children with regard to restoration integrity. In a randomized, controlled, blinded trial using a split-mouth design, 40 (9–12-year-old) children with 80 carious primary molars were included. The cavity in one quadrant was randomized to be treated conventionally using a bur, while the cavity in the other quadrant was prepared using an Er:YAG laser. At the one-year follow-up, clinical examinations were conducted to assess the integrity of the restorations according to the Ryge criteria. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The average age of the participants was 9.4 ± 1.29 years. Males accounted for 51.4% of the participants. The Ryge criteria showed clinical success of restorations, and there was no discernible difference between the conventional and laser intervention techniques. Over one year, no statistically significant differences in the clinical integrity based on the Ryge criteria were found following class I cavity preparation in primary teeth with either procedure.

Many studies have evaluated short implants (SIs); however, it is still unclear whether SIs are reliable and can be used to simplify surgical and prosthetic protocols with successful clinical outcomes. The aim of this nonrandom, conveniently sampled, prospective, split-mouth study was to compare the clinical outcomes when short SI (≤8 mm) or regular-length implants (RIs; >10 mm) were used in the posterior mandible 2 years after the delivery of splinted reconstructions. Each participant (N = 10) received 4 implants in the posterior mandible; 2 SIs were placed on one side, and 2 RIs were placed contralaterally. Implants were restored with splinted, screw-retained, porcelain-fused-to-metal reconstructions. Survival and success rates, peri-implant marginal bone level (MBL), and soft-tissue parameters were evaluated. No participant dropouts were recorded. Both types of implants showed 100% success and survival rates. From prosthetic delivery to 24 months postloading, bone remineralization of +0.40 mm for the SIs and +0.36 mm for the RIs was observed without statistically significant differences in MBL between the implant types (P =.993). SIs showed significantly higher (P =.001) clinical attachment level and probing depth values. Chipping occurred in one situation in the RI group, resulting in a 97.5% prosthetic success rate, which was 100% for the SIs. After 2 years, SIs with splinted reconstructions showed comparable clinical outcomes to those of RIs. Further long-term controlled clinical studies with balanced experimental designs evaluating random and larger populations are required to corroborate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The assessment of the hard and soft tissue conditions is part of the overall dental treatments., Aim: In this study, we investigated nano curcumin-containing membranes to improve the quality of the hard and soft tissues in the extracted tooth area as a clinical trial study., Methods: After the patient was selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients who had teeth extracted from both sides of the mouth (split mouth) on the side of the intervention received a membrane containing nanocurcumin, and on the control side, no material was placed in the socket. For data analysis, SPSS software version 24 was used. A significance threshold was deemed to be less than 0.05 in terms of probability., Results: Two months after tooth extraction, during implant placement, the average gingival thickness on the "intervention side," was 3.1±0.34 mm, while the average gingival thickness on the "control side" was 2.6±0.42 mm. Then, the membrane could improve the quality of soft tissue (P< 0.0001). As another outcome, the application of this membrane did not significantly affect bone repair in these patients compared to the control group (P = 0.72). However, the histology data revealed that the newly generated bone of the intervention group was seen close to the membrane, demonstrating the osteoconductive ability of the membrane., Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the newly developed membrane can be used to improve the quality of hard and soft tissues in the extracted tooth area. Nonetheless, more efforts in nanocurcumin dosage adjustment are needed for hard tissue regeneration in future studies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Malformations of teeth and dental arches can produce functional modifications intermingled with esthetic alterations. Children’s rehabilitation may be long, requiring multiple interventions. One of the main challenges of contemporary orthodontics is to reduce treatment time by accelerating orthodontic tooth movements. Among the currently used methods, micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) are flapless, minimally invasive perforations that induce a local trauma to the bone, increase healing capacity, and accelerate dental movements. The use of MOPs in orthodontics is spreading but there are no definite and recognized protocols for their application. This scoping review collected the available evidence in the effect of MOPs during orthodontic therapy as compared to current treatments, to summarize the evidence. The guidelines proposed by PRISMA-ScR were followed: original clinical studies carried out from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved by medical databases combining the terms “micro-osteoperforations” and “accelerated orthodontic tooth movement”. From a total of 965 articles, nine were finally selected. The studies’ aims, designs, methods, measurements, outcomes, and main findings were very heterogenous, with a duration ranging from 4 weeks to 7 months. This included only Class I malocclusion to any malocclusion. It assessed the effects of MOPs coupled with a variety of orthodontic mechanics on either the retraction of maxillary canines, the distalization of maxillary molars, or the modifications on premolar roots. Mostly, variations in the number, location, and timing of MOPs impeded a global assessment. Overall, most of the studies (six out of nine) reported moderately useful effects of MOPs, one was negative, and only two found significant advantages of MOPs over conventional treatment. The review synthesized the available evidence about MOP applications in orthodontics and identified some important gaps in knowledge that could be starting points for a systematic review of the literature. In conclusion, even if MOPs can accelerate tooth movements, the variety of aims and methods of the published research prevents suggestion of their widespread use.

Purpose: This randomized controlled split-mouth clinical trial evaluated the short-term survival rate of indirect resin composite and ceramic laminate veneers. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients (mean age: 48.6 years) received 46 indirect resin composite (Estenia; n = 23) and ceramic laminate veneers (IPS Empress Esthetic; n = 23) on the maxillary anterior teeth. Veneer preparations with incisal overlap were performed and existing resin composite restorations of good qual- ity were not removed but conditioned using silica coating (CoJet) and silanization (ESPE-Sil). Enamel and dentin were etched and rinsed; adhesive resin (ExciTE) was then applied. After cementation (Variolink Veneer), restora- tions were evaluated at baseline and thereafter every 6 months for up to 3 years using modified USPHS criteria. Results: Seventeen laminate veneers were bonded onto intact teeth and 29 on teeth having existing resin com- posite restorations. In total, 3 failures were observed in the form of debonding (n = 1) and fracture (n = 2) in the group of resin composite laminate veneers. No significant difference was observed between the survival rates of composite and ceramic laminate veneers (Estenia: 87%, IPS Empress Esthetic: 100%; p > 0.05). The overall survival rate was 93.5% (Kaplan-Meier). Of the 43 laminate veneers, minor voids and defects were observed in 6 of the composite and 3 of the ceramic veneers. Slight staining at the margins (n = 3) and slightly rough surfaces were more frequently observed for the resin composite laminate veneers (n = 18) up to the final recall. Conclusion: Early findings of this clinical trial on two veneer materials showed statistically similar survival rates. Surface quality changes were more frequent in the composite veneer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy of use of a diode laser (DL) (810 nm) as an adjunct to modified Widman flap (MWF) surgery to that of MWF alone. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients between the ages of 20 and 50 years with generalized chronic periodontitis were selected for the study. Control sites (Group A) were randomly selected to receive an MWF, and the contralateral test sites (Group B) received MWF in conjunction with low-level laser therapy. The energy density of 4 J/cm 2 was applied to the gingival surface after periodontal treatment. The study tooth/site was treated along with any additional teeth in the quadrant in which the site was located if needed. Randomization was done using a coin flip. The DL was used to de-epithelialize the inner part of the periodontal flap and photo-biostimulate the surgical area. Plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) scores were recorded at baseline and at 6 and 9 months. Statistical Analysis: Data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analyzes were performed using paired Student's t-testfor intragroup comparisons and unpaired Student's t-test for intergroup comparisons.Results: No significant difference was observed in PI scores between the two groups at baseline, 6 and 9 months. PBI scores were significantly lower in Group B versus Group A at 6 months (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in PBI scores at the end of 9 months. PD reduction in Group B versus Group A was statistically significant at the end of 9 months (P < 0.01). Gains in CAL were significantly greater in Group B versus Group A at 6 and 9 months. Conclusion: The use of an 810 nm DL provided additional benefits to MWF surgery in terms of clinical parameters.

Objective: A randomized, double blind, split mouth, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of two desensitizing agents on reduction of Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH). Material and Methodology: A sample of 73 teeth from 13 patients, among which at least 3 teeth had dentin hypersensitivity, was randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: Group A: treated with 30% ethenolic extract of Indian Propolis, Group B: treated with GC tooth mousse, and Group C: treated with sterile water. A Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) was used to record the degree of hypersensitivity, based on patient’s response to tactile and air blast stimuli. The baseline scores were obtained. Each intervention group received applications of their respective agents consecutively on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days. After each application, the scores were recorded. Results: Both the 30% Indian Propolis and GC tooth mousse showed significant reductions in dentin hypersensitivity. Conclusion: GC tooth mousse was found to be significantly better in reducing the dentinal hypersensitivity as compared to Propolis and sterile water (p< 0.01).

Introduction: The orthodontic mini-screws are the mainstay of direct skeletal anchorage which requires minimal compliance and provides maximal anchorage control. However, the timing of initiation of orthodontic loading of these mini-screws is not clearly established in the available studies. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the reciprocal effects on mini-screw implant with immediate loading in comparison to that of delayed loading during retraction. Materials and Methods: The prospective clinical study included a sample of 25 orthodontic patients in the age range of 18-25 years. All the cases were of bi-maxillary proclination with Type-A anchorage demands. All the first premolars were indicated for extraction. A split mouth technique for each patient was utilized by loading mini-implant immediately after its placement on one side and the opposite side implant was loaded after a time lag of two weeks post-insertion. Retraction force of 150g was applied for three months on each side. The displacement of the head and tail of the implant, molar anterior tooth retraction was measured on Orthopantomograph (OPG) taken at T1 (initial) and T2 (after three months). A grid method with each 1mm magnified to 500 pixels was superimposed on OPG and the relative displacements were evaluated. Student’s unpaired ‘t’ test was used for comparison between left and right side and paired ‘t’ test for the parameters on the same side. The p-value equal to or less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean displacement of head of the implant on the immediate loading is 0.57mm where as the tail exhibited 0.75 mm. The head and tail of the implant on the delayed loading displaced by 0.35mm and 0.38mm respectively, on an average when data was analysed. Significant difference between the two types of loading was noted. Conclusion: Delayed loading is beneficial as compared to immediate loading during extraction space closure.

To three-dimensionally assess and visualize the eruption path and development of the maxillary canine following alveolar bone grafting in patients born with cleft lip and palate. A further objective of this analysis was to assess how the presence of the lateral incisor impacts the eruption path of the canine., Observational follow-up study., Stockholm Craniofacial Team, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden., Thirty children born with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip with or without palate were consecutively included., CBCT scans of the maxilla were taken six months before and six months after the alveolar bone-grafting surgery for each patient., Canine eruption (angulation and vertical movement) and canine development (length and volume)., There was a significant difference pre- and post-operatively of the canine angulation between the cleft and non-cleft sides. The mean angulation on the cleft side was 14.7° (SD  =  11.1°) while on the non-cleft side, it was 4.9° (SD  =  9.2°). No significant differences were noted between cleft-side and non-cleft side canines in terms of amount of vertical eruption and volumetric development. Absence of the lateral incisor did not significantly contribute to either canine angulation or its vertical eruption on the cleft-side., Higher angulation of the canine on the cleft side indicates a higher risk of future canine impaction. Presence or absence of the lateral incisor did not significantly affect canine angulation or its vertical eruption. Increased age and children born with total cleft lip and palate imply a higher risk of angulated canines on the cleft side.

Introduction: The orthodontic mini-screws are the mainstay of direct skeletal anchorage which requires minimal compliance and provides maximal anchorage control. However, the timing of initiation of orthodontic loading of these mini-screws is not clearly established in the available studies. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the reciprocal effects on mini-screw implant with immediate loading in comparison to that of delayed loading during retraction. Materials and Methods: The prospective clinical study included a sample of 25 orthodontic patients in the age range of 18-25 years. All the cases were of bi-maxillary proclination with Type-A anchorage demands. All the first premolars were indicated for extraction. A split mouth technique for each patient was utilized by loading mini-implant immediately after its placement on one side and the opposite side implant was loaded after a time lag of two weeks post-insertion. Retraction force of 150g was applied for three months on each side. The displacement of the head and tail of the implant, molar anterior tooth retraction was measured on Orthopantomograph (OPG) taken at T1 (initial) and T2 (after three months). A grid method with each 1mm magnified to 500 pixels was superimposed on OPG and the relative displacements were evaluated. Student's unpaired't' test was used for comparison between left and right side and paired 't' test for the parameters on the same side. The p-value equal to or less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean displacement of head of the implant on the immediate loading is 0.57mm where as the tail exhibited 0.75 mm. The head and tail of the implant on the delayed loading displaced by 0.35mm and 0.38mm respectively, on an average when data was analysed. Significant difference between the two types of loading was noted. Conclusion: Delayed loading is beneficial as compared to immediate loading during extraction space closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structured Abstract Objectives To evaluate tooth position after six and 9 months of orthodontics with conventional brackets on one side of the dentition and ligature-less brackets on the other. Setting and sample population Orthodontic Division, Vienna Medical University. Twenty patients aged 22.5 ± 5.7 years, symmetrical malocclusion and arch form, no premolar extraction. Material and Methods Prospective split-mouth study, 0.022-inch SmartClip self-ligating brackets assigned randomly to the left or right dentition, conventional 0.018-inch brackets on the other side. 52 dental landmarks, digitized on plaster casts, represented dental arches at baseline ( t 0), 6 months and 9 months ( t 1, t 2). During t 0 -t 1 , we used 0.016 and 0.014 x 0.025 inch superelastic wires, during t 1 -t 2 connected reverse-curve hemiarch wires: 0.017 x 0.025 inch ß-titanium on the ligature-less side, and 0.016 x 0.022 inch Elgiloy multiloop wires on conventional brackets. Morphometric analyses were used to assess differences in dental arch shapes. Results Neither initial alignment nor the reverse-curve phase showed statistically significant differences between ligature-less and conventional brackets in moving teeth. Conclusion Morphometric shape analyses corroborated current evidence that self-ligating brackets were no more effective than conventional brackets with steel ligatures after 6-month initial alignment. From months 6-9 treatment with ß-titanium reverse-curve wires on 0.022-inch ligature-less brackets resulted in similar tooth positions as accomplished by Elgiloy multiloop wires on 0.018-inch steel-ligature-tied brackets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A randomized, double blind, split mouth, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of two desensitizing agents on reduction of Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH). Material and Methodology: A sample of 73 teeth from 13 patients, among which at least 3 teeth had dentin hypersensitivity, was randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: Group A: treated with 30% ethenolic extract of Indian Propolis, Group B: treated with GC tooth mousse, and Group C: treated with sterile water. A Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) was used to record the degree of hypersensitivity, based on patient's response to tactile and air blast stimuli. The baseline scores were obtained. Each intervention group received applications of their respective agents consecutively on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days. After each application, the scores were recorded. Results: Both the 30% Indian Propolis and GC tooth mousse showed significant reductions in dentin hypersensitivity. Conclusion: GC tooth mousse was found to be significantly better in reducing the dentinal hypersensitivity as compared to Propolis and sterile water (p< 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malformations of teeth and dental arches can produce functional modifications intermingled with esthetic alterations. Children's rehabilitation may be long, requiring multiple interventions. One of the main challenges of contemporary orthodontics is to reduce treatment time by accelerating orthodontic tooth movements. Among the currently used methods, micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) are flapless, minimally invasive perforations that induce a local trauma to the bone, increase healing capacity, and accelerate dental movements. The use of MOPs in orthodontics is spreading but there are no definite and recognized protocols for their application. This scoping review collected the available evidence in the effect of MOPs during orthodontic therapy as compared to current treatments, to summarize the evidence. The guidelines proposed by PRISMA-ScR were followed: original clinical studies carried out from 2010 to 2021 were retrieved by medical databases combining the terms "micro-osteoperforations" and "accelerated orthodontic tooth movement". From a total of 965 articles, nine were finally selected. The studies' aims, designs, methods, measurements, outcomes, and main findings were very heterogenous, with a duration ranging from 4 weeks to 7 months. This included only Class I malocclusion to any malocclusion. It assessed the effects of MOPs coupled with a variety of orthodontic mechanics on either the retraction of maxillary canines, the distalization of maxillary molars, or the modifications on premolar roots. Mostly, variations in the number, location, and timing of MOPs impeded a global assessment. Overall, most of the studies (six out of nine) reported moderately useful effects of MOPs, one was negative, and only two found significant advantages of MOPs over conventional treatment. The review synthesized the available evidence about MOP applications in orthodontics and identified some important gaps in knowledge that could be starting points for a systematic review of the literature. In conclusion, even if MOPs can accelerate tooth movements, the variety of aims and methods of the published research prevents suggestion of their widespread use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the clinical response of proximal furcations treated with enamel matrix derivative proteins (EMD). Material and Methods: Fifteen patients, each with a pair of contralateral class-II proximal furcation involvements, presenting probing depths (PDs) ⩾5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) were selected. The patients were randomly assigned to: control group ( n=15) – open flap debridement (OFD)+24% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) conditioning; test group ( n=15) – OFD+24% EDTA conditioning+EMD application. Plaque index (PI), BOP, PD, gingival margin position (GMP), relative vertical and horizontal clinical attachment level (RVCAL and RHCAL), vertical and horizontal bone level (VBL and HBL) and furcation closure were evaluated immediately before and 2, 4 and 6 months after the surgeries. Results: At 6 months, the RVCAL gains of the control and test group were 0.39 ± 1.00 and 0.54 ± 0.95 mm, while the RHCAL gains were 1.21 ± 2.28 and 1.36 ± 1.26 mm ( p>0.05). The VBL and HBL gains of the control group were 1.04 ± 1.12 and 1.00 ± 1.79 mm, and 0.82 ± 1.82 and 1.17 ± 1.38 mm for the test group ( p>0.05). In addition, a statistical difference was observed in the number of the remaining class-II furcations between the test and control groups ( p<0.05) in this period. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the use of EMD in proximal furcations did not promote a superior reduction in PD or a gain in clinical and osseous attachment levels, but resulted in a higher rate of class-II to class-I furcation conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Hujoel & Moulton previously questioned the reported quality of split-mouth studies. Since then, there has been little enquiry into the methodology of this study design. The aim was to conduct a systematic review of the reported methodology of clinical studies using a split-mouth design published in dental journals over a 1-year period (2004). Material and Methods: An extension of the CONSORT guidelines for cluster-randomized designs was used to evaluate quality. We evaluated the methods used and quality of reporting split-mouth studies. Results: Thirty-four studies were eligible for this review. The results showed that many papers lack essential qualities of good reporting, e.g. five of 34 papers gave the rationale for choosing a split-mouth design, 19 of 34 (56%) used appropriate analytical statistical methods and only one of 34 presented an appropriate sample size calculation. Of the five studies that used survival analysis, none of them used a paired approach. Conclusions: Despite some progress in statistical analysis, if the reporting of studies represents the actual methodology of the trial, this review has identified important aspects of split-mouth study design and analysis that would benefit from development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to provide further data for comparison of retention and caries-preventive effect of a resin-based sealant (Delton®), and a glass–ionomer sealant (Fuji III®). Methods: The study was conducted in the municipality of Værløse located 15 km north of Copenhagen, Denmark in the period 1996–2001. The study comprised 153 children aged 8–13 years with a total of 364 site-pairs. Caries was diagnosed both clinically and radiographically, and sealant retention was diagnosed clinically. Sealants were placed either by one of four dentists, who had the responsibility for the children's dental care, by a dental hygienist or a dental assistant. Mean follow-up time was 38–39 months for sites on first permanent molars and 28–29 months for sites on second permanent molars. Results: The retention rates were consistently, and considerably lower for Fuji III® than for Delton®. Relative risks of caries in Delton®-sealed teeth over Fuji III®-sealed teeth was 0.435 (95% CI 0.150–0.846) based on the clinical diagnosis, and 0.559 (95% CI 0.342–0.905) based on the radiographic diagnosis. The ratio of the relative risks (clinical over radiographic diagnosis) was close to 1 (0.778; 95% CI 0.272–1.481). Conclusion: In the present study, Delton®-sealed teeth had a lower risk than Fuji III®-sealed teeth of developing caries, independent of the caries diagnostic method used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 30% ethenolic extract of Indian propolis compared with Recaldent(™) (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate) in reduction of dentinals hypersensitivity, a randomized, double-blind, split mouth, controlled clinical trial was conducted among the patients residing in Central Jail., Materials and Methods: A sample of 73 teeth from 13 patients having at least three teeth with dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) were randomly allocated into three treatment groups: Group A: 30% ethenolic extract of Indian propolis, Group B: Recaldent(™), Group C: Sterile water. Verbal rating scale was used to record the degree of hypersensitivity based on patient's response to tactile and air blast stimuli. The baseline scores were obtained. Each intervention group received applications of their respective agents consecutively on 1(st), 7(th), 14(th), and 21(st) day. After each application the scores were recorded., Results: Both the 30% Indian propolis and Recaldent(™) showed significant reduction in DH., Conclusion: Recaldent(™) was found to be significantly better in reducing the DH compared to propolis and sterile water (P < 0.01).

Objective: A randomized, double blind, split mouth, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of two desensitizing agents on reduction of Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH)., Material and Methodology: A sample of 73 teeth from 13 patients, among which at least 3 teeth had dentin hypersensitivity, was randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: Group A: treated with 30% ethenolic extract of Indian Propolis, Group B: treated with GC tooth mousse, and Group C: treated with sterile water. A Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) was used to record the degree of hypersensitivity, based on patient's response to tactile and air blast stimuli. The baseline scores were obtained. Each intervention group received applications of their respective agents consecutively on 1(st), 7(th), 14(th) and 21(st) days. After each application, the scores were recorded., Results: Both the 30% Indian Propolis and GC tooth mousse showed significant reductions in dentin hypersensitivity., Conclusion: GC tooth mousse was found to be significantly better in reducing the dentinal hypersensitivity as compared to Propolis and sterile water (p< 0.01).