Mandibular Anterior Lingual Recession: Keratinized Tissue Grafting and Minimally Invasive Harvesting.

Introduction: The mandibular anterior lingual (MAL) keratinized tissue (KT) band is often insufficient in dimension: <2 mm height of which <1 mm is attached gingiva (AG). Its gingival phenotype is commonly characterized as thin (<1 mm) gingival thickness (GT) and having inadequate (<1 mm) AG width. When surgical treatment is indicated, prevention of significant apical displacement of the gingival margin and improvement of long-term gingival stability are enhanced by KT increase and phenotype modification in order to establish thick GT and adequate AG.

Management and prevention of gingival recession.

Gingival recession is highly prevalent worldwide. It increases the risk for root caries and can interfere with patient comfort, function and esthetics. Progressive gingival recession also increases the risk of tooth loss secondary to clinical attachment loss.

The practicing clinician's perspective: using the EBD approach and CDS tools in private practice.

Using the evidence-based dentistry (EBD) approach in private practice offers many advantages yet remains challenging. A practical approach to help increase EBD adoption and implementation at the point of care is needed. Three concepts are described that help facilitate the process.

The Evidence-Based Study Club: a practical means to facilitate EBD awareness and implementation.

The study club model can be a highly effective method to advance the awareness, implementation, and dissemination of the evidence-based dental (EBD) practice approach. Three concepts for developing and facilitating a successful evidence-based study club are described. Simple approaches for study club development and management are introduced.

Clinical decision support chairside tools for evidence-based dental practice.

Evidence-based clinical decision support (EB-CDS) tools designed for chairside use, help support the implementation of Evidence-Based Dentistry. EB-CDS tools organize available evidence and risk factors in order to facilitate clinical decision-making as well as to enhance rapid and effective transfer of knowledge to the patient at the point of care. Gingival recession, root exposure, caries, dental sealants, decay prevention and topical fluoride guides are presented and discussed.

The evidence-based clinical decision support guide: mucogingival/esthetics making clinical decisions in the absence of strong evidence.

Although evidence-based decision-making in dentistry is quickly evolving, large gaps remain in our clinical knowledge base regarding every day decisions and procedures. Especially in the absence of strong evidence, as is the case with mucogingival conditions, risk assessment and identification are important components of the clinical decision-making process. Utilization of clinical decision support (CDS) guides, frameworks and systems enhances chairside decision-making and improves delivery of patient care.

Implementing evidence-based decision making in the private practice setting: the 4-step process.

An important goal of EBDM is to improve outcomes where it matters the most: at the point of care. All dental clinicians need practical tools that facilitate access to the clinical information needed to enable our patients to make better-informed choices. This article provides a 4-step guide for practical implementation of EBDM in the private practice setting.

The translational clinical practice system: a way to implement the evidence-based approach in the dental office.

Evidence-based decision-making in dental practice is challenging and rewarding. But for many clinicians, the evidence-based approach is an abstract and even theoretical idea that sounds good, but is not very practical. The Translational Clinical Practice System provides an overriding domain and a system within which the evidence-based approach may be more effectively utilized in clinical practice.