A Selection of Oral Health related Cochrane Reviews
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Review Group
Research Question
Conclusions
Date of Publication
DOI
1
Oral health
This review examined the effectiveness of varnishes and gels containing chlorhexidine in preventing tooth decay in children and young people.
Did not show chlorhexidine varnish or gel reduces tooth decay or reduces the bacteria that encourage tooth decay. The four studies that looked at side effects and found none.
Does xylitol, a natural sweetener used in products such as sweets, candy, chewing gum and toothpaste, help prevent tooth decay in children and adults?
Fluoridetoothpaste with xylitol may reduce tooth decay in the permanent teeth of children by 13% over a 3 year period when compared to a fluoride-only toothpaste with no side effects reported by the children. Inconclusive whether or not any other xylitol-containing products can prevent tooth decay in infants, older children, or adults.
Do antibiotics taken orally at the time of the placement of a dental implant prevent an infection?
Oral administration of amoxicillin before placement of dental implants is effective in reducing implant failures.It is unclear if postoperative antibiotics are beneficial, or which antibiotics work best.
How effective are composite resin fillings compared with conventional amalgam fillings in permanent teeth in the back of the mouth?
Composite resin fillings are almost twice as likely to fail compared with amalgam fillings when used for filling permanent teeth atthe back of the mouth.
Comparison of full-mouth scaling (over 24 hours) or full-mouth disinfection (over 24 hours) for the treatment of chronic periodontitis to conventional quadrant scaling and root planing (over a series of visits at least one week apart).
No evidence that FMS or FMD has benefit compared to conventional scaling and root planing.
Compare different interventions for cessation of sucking pacifiers (dummies, soothers), finger or thumb in children.
Low quality evidence that use of an orthodontic brace (such as a palatal crib or arch) or a psychological intervention (such as use of positive or negative reinforcement), or both, was more likely to lead to cessation of the habit than no treatment.
Compare different orthodontic treatments for correcting posterior crossbites.
Very small amount of low- to moderate-quality evidence to show that the quad-helix appliance may be more successful than removable expansion plates at correcting posterior crossbites and expanding the inter-molar width for children with both baby and adult teeth (aged eight to 10 years).
