Oral prehabilitation for patients with head and neck cancer: getting it right - the Restorative Dentistry-UK consensus on a multidisciplinary approach to oral and dental assessment and planning prior to cancer treatment.

Historically, oral and dental issues for head and neck cancer patients were often not considered until after cancer treatment was complete. As a result, outcomes for oral rehabilitation were sometimes suboptimal. Inconsistencies in service delivery models and qualification, training and experience of staff delivering dental care often compounded this problem, making research and audit almost impossible. Collaborative working by consultants in restorative dentistry from all over the UK as part of a Restorative Dentistry-UK (RD UK) subgroup, renamed more recently as the RD-UK Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Excellence Network (CEN), has re-emphasised the importance of specialist restorative dentistry intervention at the outset of the head and neck cancer pathway to optimise outcomes of patient care. The CEN has driven several initiatives, reflecting Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) principles aimed at reducing unwarranted variation. This improved consistency in approach and optimised collaborative working of the team now presents a better environment for multicentre audit and research. Ultimately, this should result in a continued improvement in patient and carer experience.

Reproducibility of subtraction radiography in monitoring changes in approximal carious lesions in children: An in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory studies have shown that digital subtraction radiography (DSR) can be a more effective tool, than conventional radiography, in monitoring changes in carious lesions. The clinical performance of the technique, however, has not been sufficiently researched. AIM: To compare the reproducibility of DSR to that of bitewing radiographs, in monitoring changes in approximal caries in the mixed dentition. A secondary aim was to determine whether assessment outcomes differed as a function of the method used. DESIGN: Six assessors evaluated 310 lesions first on bitewings, then with DSR. The overall reproducibility was evaluated via intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Intra- and inter-rater reproducibility were assessed using weighted Kappa. Paired t test was used to assess differences in the reproducibility across methods. RESULTS: The overall reproducibility for DSR was (ICC = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.31-0.56). Intra- and inter-rater reproducibility were 0.65 and 0.44, respectively. The overall reproducibility for bitewings was ICC = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.42-0.57. Intra- and Inter-rater reproducibility were 0.71 and 0.46, respectively. Differences in the reproducibility across methods were not statistically significant. Significantly more lesions were scored as progressed using DSR. CONCLUSIONS: The reproducibility of DSR in monitoring changes in approximal caries is comparable to that of bitewings. Additionally, DSR detected higher proportion of progression than bitewing assessments.

Posts--when it all goes wrong! Part 2: post removal techniques.

UNLABELLED: Many different techniques for the removal of posts have been proposed over the years, including the development of a number of different instruments and systems. This article discusses a number of the more common techniques, systems and their indications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentists should be aware of the techniques available for the removal of posts and understand which techniques are appropriate for individual cases.

Posts--when it all goes wrong! Part 1: case assessment and management options.

UNLABELLED: Posts have been used for many years to retain restorations or cores for extra-coronal restorations in endodontically treated teeth.This article discusses the variety of post systems that are available and the incidence and reasons for failure of teeth that have been restored with posts. The treatment options available for the management of such failures are considered, in addition to the indications for both non-surgical and surgical management of endodontic failures. The attitudes of dentists and the perceived complications of attempting post removal are reviewed, along with the evidence to support the prevalence of complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Failure of post-retained restorations is a relatively frequent finding due to failure of the restoration itself or the endodontic treatment. It is therefore important to understand and be aware of the various treatment options available, their indications and associated risks.

Small trial finds beneficial effect for MI Paste in preventing white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: Double blind randomised controlled trial INTERVENTION: Sixty patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were randomised to receive either MI Paste Plus (GC America, Alsip III) or a placebo paste (Tom's of Main, Salisbury, UK). To be included, the patients had to be 12 years of age or over, in the permanent dentition, and be considered to be compliant with using the paste. Patients were excluded if they; had been undergoing extensive fluoride regimes, had an impacting medical or dental condition, had been receiving fluoride treatment for white spots, be planning to move within 6 months, or have an allergy to IgE casein. The pastes were self-administered in a fluoride tray for 3 to 5 minutes each night after brushing, for a period of 3 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were measured at baseline, then at 4, 8, and 12 weeks into treatment) using 2 measures. Standardised photographic records were used to assess WSLs using Banks and Richmond's decalcification index score, from first premolar to first premolar in the maxilla and mandible. Three operators scored the photographs independently. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used for the labial surfaces of the teeth and the scores (0-6) for surfaces were added together to give an overall score. RESULTS: Five patients refused to participate before the trial began and out of the 60 patients randomised, 50 completed the study (26 MI Paste Plus group 24 in placebo group). There was a 53.5% in the enamel decalcification index score in the MI Paste Plus group but an increase of 91.1% in the placebo group at the end of the 12 week period; ICDAS scores were added together to give an overall score for all teeth; the MI Paste Plus group score was 145 at baseline and 80 after 12 weeks, a 44.8%reduction; in the placebo group, the scores were 116 and 166 respectively, an increase of 43%. CONCLUSIONS: MI Paste Plus prevented and decreased the number of WSLs during orthodontic treatment with the placebo paste group having an increase in the number of WSLs during the trial. These effects were most noticeable on the gingival surfaces. Incisal enamel decalcification index scores were consistently higher than other tooth surfaces, including gingival.