Evidence-based dentistry
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Evidence-based dentistry · Jan 2008
CommentHandsearching still a valuable element of the systematic review.
The Cochrane Methodology Register, Medline, Embase, AMED, Biosis, Cinahl, LISA, and Psycinfo were consulted along with researchers who may have carried out relevant studies. ⋯ Hand searching is still valuable in identifying randomised trials for inclusion in systematic reviews of healthcare, particularly trials reported as abstracts or letters, those published in languages other than English, along with all reports published in journals not indexed in electronic databases. Where time and resources are limited, however, searching an electronic database using a complex search (or the Cochrane HSSS) will identify the majority of trials published as full reports in English language journals, provided, of course, that the relevant journals have been indexed in the database.
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Evidence-based dentistry · Jan 2008
CommentThe effectiveness of occlusal splints for sleep bruxism.
Searches were made using the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, Embase, LILACS (Latin American & Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), Biblioteca Brasileira de Odontologia, and Dissertations, Theses and Abstracts. Hand searches were made of abstracts of particular importance to this review. Additional reports were identified from the reference lists of retrieved reports and from article reviews about treating sleep bruxism. There were no language restrictions. ⋯ There is not enough evidence to state that the occlusal splint is effective for treating sleep bruxism. Indication of its use is questionable with regard to sleep outcomes, but there may be some benefit with regard to tooth wear. This systematic review suggests the need for further investigation in more controlled RCT that pay attention to method of allocation, outcome assessment, large sample size, and sufficient duration of followup. The study design must be parallel in order to eliminate the bias provided by studies of crossover type. A standardisation of the outcomes of the treatment of sleep bruxism should be established in the RCT.
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Evidence-based dentistry · Jan 2007
CommentTorn labial frenum in isolation not pathognomonic of physical abuse.
Searches were made for studies using Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Caredata (the social work and social care knowledge base), Child Data (the National Children's Bureau Database), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Embase, Medline, the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, the TRIP database (www.tripdatabase.com), Sciences Citation Index, and ISI Proceedings (covers conference papers in all scientific and technical fields). Authors were contacted where necessary. ⋯ Current literature does not support the diagnosis of abuse based on a torn labial frenum in isolation. The intra-oral hard and soft tissue should be examined in all suspected abuse cases, and a dental opinion sought where abnormalities are found.ome of the traditional and normative predictors of successful outcomes.
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Evidence-based dentistry · Jan 2007
CommentInsufficient evidence to recommend topical lidocaine as first-line treatment for postherpetic neuralgia.
The Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences), SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe)(for conference proceedings) and Science Citation Index were searched, along with the reference lists of all eligible trials, key textbooks and previous systematic reviews. Authors of all identified trials were contacted. ⋯ There is insufficient evidence to recommend topical lidocaine as a first-line agent in the treatment of PHN with allodynia. Further research should be undertaken on the efficacy of topical lidocaine for other chronic neuropathic pain disorders, and also to compare different classes of drugs (eg, topical anaesthetics versus anti-epileptics).