RESEARCH
Evidence-based dentistry involves “incorporat(ing) the judicious use of the best evidence available from systemic reviews, when possible, with knowledge of patients’ preferences and clinicians’ experiences to make recommendations for the provision of the right care, for the right patient, and at the right time.”
Systemic Reviews and the Practice of Evidence-Based Dentistry: Professional and Policy Implications. Ismail, Bader, Kamerow. J Am Coll Dent 1999; 66: 5-12.
DENTAL CARIES
Dental Caries is the scientific way of stating that there is an active bacterial infection in a mouth and the bacteria are causing cavities to form. It is a complex infection involving the teeth, saliva, food sources and bacteria. Because of this complexity it is archaic to suggest to someone they “just need to brush and floss better”. Although oral hygiene is extremely important it is only one factor that influences a person’s susceptibility to the disease. There are hundreds of studies and articles outlining the history of Caries including the current findings. The following sources explain in detail the detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of dental caries.
• Special supplement to the Journal of the American Dental Association. Saliva and Oral Health. Jada.ada.org May 2008 (several articles)
• JADA November 2008. Fluoride Supplements: Fluoride Supplements, Dental Caries and Fluorosis: A systematic Review. Ismail, Hasson
• Special Supplement to Inside Dentistry, March 2009 vol. 5 No 3. Tooth Erosion in Children—US Perspective.
• Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, March 2009-vol. 30, No.2 Thematic issue, Dental Caries (several articles).
• Modern Management of Dental Caries; The cutting Edge is Not the Dental Bur. Anderson, Bales, Amnell. JADA 1993; 124:37-44.
• Special JADA insert: Executive summary of evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants. A report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs jada.ada.org March 2008.
• World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry wcmidentistry.com
• CariFree carifree.com
• American Dental Association ada.org
CURRENT MODEL OF PERIODONTITIS
The last 50 years have produced a wealth of knowledge in the diagnosis and treatments of periodontitis. It is now known there are specific bacteria that cause periodontitis. A person’s immune response, although protective, is responsible for the tissue (bone) destruction seen in gum disease. Diversity among individuals exists with regard to susceptibility to periodontitis, and specific innate, acquired and environmental risk factors contribute to disease susceptibility. Fortunately, the cellular events of wound healing can be modulated, and this is a major focus of current ongoing research. It has also been found from several studies that periodontitis is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, diabetes and preterm low birthweight babies. The relationship of periodontitis with these conditions is a concern for both medical and dental professionals, and is being closely followed in research and private practice. The following are great sources of in-depth information relating to periodontitis.
• Changing Periodontal Concepts: Treatment Considerations. Greenstein. Compendium 2005; 26: 81-94
• Periodontal Medicine. Rose, Mealey, Cohen, Genco. September 1999 BC Decker, Inc.
• The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Conditions. Fose, Steinberg, Minsk. Compendium 2000; 21: 870-878.
• Potential mechanisms underpinning the nutritional modulation of periodontal inflammation. Iain, Chapple. JADA 2009; 140(2): 178-184.
• Oral Biofilm: Entry and Immune System Response. Keller, Costerton. Compendium 2009; 30: 24-32.
• The relationship of periodontal disease to disease and disorders at distant sites. Lamster et al. JADA 2008; 139(10): 1389-1397.
• Floss: Why your life may depend of it. Nelson. Ladies Home Journal. May 2007, 160.
• An Association between Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerosis. Ostfeld, Kim. Compendium 2009; 30: 50-51.
• Host Modulation for the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases. Williams. Compendium April 2008; 29(3): 160-171.
• The Relationship Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease. Gian-Grasso, Nagelberg. Practical Diabetology. September 1997: 6-10.
• Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Diseases. Mealey, Oates. J Periodontol 2006; 77: 1289-1303.
• Systemic Effects of Periodontitis: Epidemiology of Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease. Beck, Offenbacher. Journal of Periodontology 2005; 76: 2089-2100.
• C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Aggressive Periodontitis. Salzberg et al. J Periodontol 2006; 77: 933-939.
• Effect of Periodontal Treatments on Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Systemic Review and meta-Analysis. Ioannidou, Malekzadeh, Dongari-Bagtzoglou. J Periodontol 2006; 77: 1635-1642.
• Periodontal Diseases and the Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Meta-analysis. Khader, Ta’ane. J Periodontol 2005; 76: 161-165.
• Evaluation of the Incidence of Preterm Low Birth Weight in Patients Undergoing Periodontal Therapy. Gazolla et al. J Periodontol 2007; 78: 842-848
• The relationship between periodontitis and preterm low birthweight. Vettore et al. J Dent Res 2008; 87(1): 73-78.
• Grand Rounds in Oral-Systemic Medicine thesystemiclink.com
• Oral/Systemic Health Conference, 2008.
• National Institute of Health nih.gov
• American Diabetes Association diabetes.org
• American Heart Association americanheart.org
• OBGYN: Women’s Health obgyn.net
• American Dental Association ada.org
