The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative efficacy of an antiseptic mouthrinse and an antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrice. A six-month clinical trial.
The efficacy of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse (Listerine Antiseptic, Pfizer) and an antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrice (Colgate Total, Colgate-Palmolive) has been demonstrated in numerous double-blind clinical studies. This study was conducted to determine their comparative efficacy. ⋯ When considering an antiplaque/antigingivitis product to recommend to patients, clinicians should consider Listerine Antiseptic, in conjunction with usual oral hygiene, if more rigorous plaque control is desired.
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Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common concern for millions of people. Yet there is almost no reliable way for people to properly assess their breath odor. While many develop faulty perceptions about having bad breath that affect their entire lives, others who have halitosis are unaware of their condition. ⋯ Dentists increasingly are being called on to help patients with complaints of bad breath. In diagnosing and treating such cases, dentists should consider psychological and physiological factors.
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With the advent of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, clinicians and researchers have sophisticated techniques by which to assess the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Imaging is indicated when the results will affect the patient's care beyond that which can be gained from a complete clinical assessment. One of the primary indications for treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders, or TMDs, is jaw pain, including TMJ pain. Therefore, it is necessary to assess whether MRI-depicted TMJ findings are associated with TMJ pain. This study assessed the relationship between TMJ pain and clinical and MRI findings. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that palpation of the TMJ is superior to MRI in identifying the joint as the source of pain. Therefore, the most cost-effective and valid test to determine if the TMJ is a source of jaw pain is a complete clinical assessment.
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This case report illustrates the need to consider temporal arteritis in the differential diagnosis of jaw or tooth pain. This disease affects the cranial arteries, more frequently in women and usually in those older than age 60 years, causing jaw pain, visual symptoms, headache, scalp pain and sometimes blindness. ⋯ Patients with this disease may seek care from their dentist first. Jaw or tooth pain is the most reliable clinical symptom in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. Diagnosis and timely referral for treatment with oral steroids can prevent blindness.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The optimal analgesic dose of rofecoxib: Overview of six randomized controlled trials.
Rofecoxib, which specifically inhibits cyclooxygenase-2, is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and for the management of acute pain in adults. The authors present an overview of six placebo-controlled trials designed to evaluate the single-dose analgesic efficacy of a range of doses of rofecoxib in the treatment of postoperative dental pain. ⋯ Rofecoxib, at a dose of 50 mg, is effective in the management of postoperative dental pain.