The following critically appraised evidence topics were developed by first year residents as a requirement of a course in Evidence Based Dentistry. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Mamo.
Endodontics
In patients with a non-vital asymptomatic tooth, will single-visit root canal therapy, as compared to multiple-visit root canal therapy provide better healing and longevity?
In patients with near pulp exposure in primary teeth, will indirect pulp therapy, as compared to
pulpotomy result in comparable long term pulp vitality?
Dental Treatment/Pharmacology
In patients taking warfarin, will altering dosage prior to extraction as compared to continuing normal dosage result in more favorable hemostasis and coagulation?
In patients with coagulation problems, will the monitoring of the IRN value before
extraction, as compared to discontinuing warfarin one week before surgery, result in non-altered bleeding?
In patients with Marfan syndrome will antibiotic treatment prior to dental surgery, as compared to
no antibiotic, prevent bacterial endocarditis?
In patients undergoing third molar surgery, will use of diclofenac sodium, as compared to
ibuprofen, result in better control of post-operative pain?
In patients who are pregnant and need dental treatment, will using an anesthetic, as compared to
no anesthetic, result in adverse outcomes to the mother or fetus?
Oral Surgery
In patients requiring tooth extraction, will suturing, as compared to not suturing, result in better
healing?
Orthodontics
In patients needing class ii treatment, will Frankel appliances, as compared to no treatment result in arch expansion?
In patients with severe overjet, will Herbst appliances, as compared to class II elastics, fix the overjet?
In patients receiving orthodontic treatment, will fluoride releasing bonding adhesives, as compared to non-fluoride releasing bonding adhesives, lower the incidence of white spots or demineralization?
In patients with mixed dentition, who have lost a single primary 2nd molar and require space
maintenance until eruption of the succedaneous premolar, will a band & loop space maintainer as compared
to a lower lingual holding arch result in successful space maintenance until the eruption of the permanent
premolars?
In pediatric patients with missing primary 2nd molars, will lower lingual holding arch as,
compared to band-n-loop result in better retention and space maintenance of the missing primary 2nd molars?
Medically Compromised Patients
In patients with multiple sclerosis, will replacing amalgam restorations with composites, as
compared to leaving amalgams in place, result in reduction or improvement of MS symptoms?
Pediatric Dentistry
In children with dental caries, will F- varnish, as compared to F-foam be more efficient in preventing caries?
In children needing dental restorations, will amalgam restorations as compared to no treatment
result in mercury toxicity?
In patients with near pulp exposure in primary teeth, will indirect pulp therapy, as compared to
pulpotomy result in comparable long term pulp vitality?
In patients with mixed dentition, who have lost a single primary 2nd molar and require space
maintenance until eruption of the succedaneous premolar, will a band & loop space maintainer as compared
to a lower lingual holding arch result in successful space maintenance until the eruption of the permanent
premolars?
In pediatric patients with missing primary 2nd molars, will lower lingual holding arch as,
compared to band-n-loop result in better retention and space maintenance of the missing primary 2nd molars?
In patients aged 0 to 5 years who have early childhood caries, will application of fluoride varnish, as
compared to no fluoride varnish, result in decrease in the incidence of caries?
Periodontics
In patients who are pregnant will SRP before 21 weeks of gestation as compared to SRP after delivery result in
lower incidence of preterm birth?
In patients with periodontal disease requiring dentures, what is the prognosis for the abutment teeth?
Prosthodontics
In patients with complete dentures, will the use of denture adhesive cream as compared to no use of denture adhesive cream, result in health risks?
In patients with periodontal disease requiring dentures, what is the prognosis for the abutment teeth?
In patients needing a removable partial denture, do double crown supported RPDs have the same
clinical longevity as conventional tooth-supported RPDs?
In an edentulous patient presenting with maxillary bone loss and xerostomia, will implant supported
overdentures, as compared to conventional dentures, provide a better fit?
Restorations
In patients with deep gingival class II lesions will Glass Ionomer, as compared to other treatment options result in a better long-term prognosis for the tooth being restored?
In patients who require porcelain or ceramic crowns, will shoulder preparation, as compared to
chamfer preparation, result in better fracture resistance?
In patients undergoing composite restoration of a deep cavity, will the use of RMGI, as compared to
direct resin composite restorations, prevent postoperative sensitivity?
In patients requiring a post and core restoration on an anterior tooth, with a fractured anterior
tooth, will a custom-made post and core restoration, as compared to a pre-fabricated post and core
restoration result in a longer-lasting restoration?
