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Evidence-based dentistry as it relates to dental materials
Stephen C Bayne1, Mark Fitzgerald2
1Professor and Chair, Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995)
|February 28, 2014
Summary
Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) faces limitations in dental materials research, with less than 5% of evidence focusing on restorative materials. Enhancements in technology have enabled EBD implementation, but clinical trial data remains scarce and often non-compliant.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Evidence-Based Dentistry
- Clinical Research Methodology
Background:
- Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) implementation was historically limited but is now feasible due to technological advancements like high-speed internet and smartphones.
- The current body of evidence for dental practice is estimated to be between 8% and 10%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence-based dentistry (EBD) and highlight current limitations in accessing evidence for dental materials.
- To assess the availability and quality of clinical trial data for dental materials.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of EBD principles and literature.
- Analysis of clinical trial data availability, duration, and compliance with reporting guidelines (e.g., CONSORT, PRISMA).
- Evaluation of evidence aggregation techniques and appraisal tools.
Main Results:
- Less than 5% of available evidence in current libraries pertains to restorative dental materials.
- Clinical trial evidence for dental materials is infrequent, short-term, and frequently fails to meet current reporting standards.
- While EBD frameworks exist (e.g., PICO(T) approach), their application to dental materials is hampered by data scarcity.
Conclusions:
- Significant limitations exist in the evidence base for dental materials, impacting the practice of evidence-based dentistry.
- There is a critical need for more frequent, long-term, and guideline-compliant clinical trials focused on dental materials.
