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Aim The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of anti-plaque chemical formulations for managing gingivitis, in 6-month, home-use, randomised clinical trials ( RCTs). Material and Methods A protocol was designed, including inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify RCTs assessing gingival and/or bleeding indices. Electronic and hand-searches identified relevant papers, which were screened and evaluated for inclusion. Full-papers were retrieved and relevant information was extracted (also plaque indices), including quality and risk of bias. Mean treatment effects were calculated to obtain weighted mean differences ( WMD) and 95% confidence intervals. Results After the process of screening and selection, 87 articles with 133 comparisons, were included in the review. The additional effects of the tested products were statistically significant in terms of Löe & Silness gingival index (46 comparisons, WMD −0.217), modified gingival index ( n = 23, −0.415), gingivitis severity index ( n = 26, −14.939%) or bleeding index ( n = 23, −7.626%), with significant heterogeneity. For plaque, additional effects were found for Turesky (66 studies, WMD −0.475), Silness & Löe ( n = 26, −0.109), and plaque severity ( n = 12, −23.4%) indices, with significant heterogeneity. Conclusion Within the limitations of the present study, formulations with specific agents for chemical plaque control provide statistically significant improvements in terms of gingival, bleeding and plaque indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To report the evidence on the effect of mechanical and/or chemical plaque control in the simultaneous management of gingivitis and caries. Material and Methods A protocol was designed to identify randomized ( RCTs) and controlled ( CCTs) clinical trials, cohort studies and prospective case series ( PCS), with at least 6 months of follow-up, reporting on plaque, gingivitis and caries. Relevant information was extracted from full papers, including quality and risk of bias. Meta-analyses were performed whenever possible. Results After the screening of 1,373 titles, 15 RCTs, 10 CCTs and 2 PCS were included. Low to moderate evidence support that combined professional and self-performed mechanical plaque control significantly reduces standardized plaque index [ n = 4; weighted mean difference ( WMD) = 1.294; 95% CI (0.445; 2.144); p = 0.003] and gingivitis scores [ n = 4; WMD = 1.728; 95% CI (0.631; 2.825); p = 0.002]. The addition of fluoride to mechanical plaque control is relevant for caries management [ n = 5; WMD = 1.159; 95% CI (0.145; 2.172); p = 0.025] while chlorhexidine rinses are relevant for gingivitis. Conclusion Mechanical plaque control procedures are effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis. The addition of fluoride to mechanical plaque control is significant for caries management. Chlorhexidine rinse has a positive effect on gingivitis and inconclusive role in caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate whether a mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA) restoration of an endodontic-periodontal communication leads to regeneration of the adjacent periodontal tissues. Methodology The databases MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane- CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched, up to July 2012. In vivo studies that reported on the histological response of the periodontium to MTA were selected. Results The screening of 98 title-abstracts, full-text reading, and hand searches in literature lists yielded 24 papers. All of them involved animals. There were no studies reporting on human histology. Study protocols presented heterogeneity regarding treated lesions, intervention, and reported outcomes. The histological results of the animal studies showed minimal inflammatory reactions, bone healing, periodontal ligament presence, and consistent cementum formation. Time lapse after mixing, bacterial contamination, root canal disinfection, and inflammation influenced MTA's cementoconductive properties. Conclusions Within the limitations of the selected papers concerning inhomogeneous study protocols and low methodological quality scores, their findings were consistent with regard to MTA's biocompatibility and cementogenic ability. Experimental animal studies show that MTA can promote healing towards regeneration. There is now a distinct need to examine the clinical performance of MTA in well-controlled prospective human cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focused question What is the effect of a dentifrice ( DF), a mouthwash ( MW), tongue cleaning ( TC), or any combination of these as adjunct to toothbrushing on intra-oral malodour and tongue coating as compared to toothbrushing alone in systemically healthy patients, when used for a minimum follow-up period of 2 weeks? Material and Methods The MEDLINE- Pub Med, Cochrane- CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched up to August 2014. Measurements of Volatile Sulphur Compounds and organoleptic scores of oral malodour were selected as outcome variables. Data were extracted and a descriptive analysis was performed. Results Independent screening of 1054 unique papers resulted in 12 eligible clinical trials with a medium-term (≥2 weeks) duration. The majority of studies provided a significant reduction in oral malodour when evaluating products with an active ingredient (incorporated into a DF or a MW) used adjunctively to toothbrushing. The added value of tongue cleaning over a MW was evaluated in one study. Conclusion Due to very limited evidence, the potential effect of a specifically formulated dentifrice, a mouthwash or a tongue scraper for treating oral malodour is, in general, unclear. For mouthwashes containing the active ingredients chlorhexidine + cetylpyridinium chloride + zinc ( CHX + CPC + Zn) and zinc chloride + cetylpyridinium chloride (ZnCl + CPC) most evidence was available. The strength of a recommendation to use these products was graded to be 'weak'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]