Dental hygienist and patient comparisons of fluoride varnishes to fluoride gels.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a fluoride varnish and compare it to fluoride gels in categories including taste, comfort, efficiency, discoloration, moisture control, safety, and ease of application.

Methods: Methods. Twenty-five licensed dental hygienists and 148 patients completed questionnaires comparing fluoride varnish to fluoride gel for the following categories: taste, comfort, efficiency, discoloration, moisture control, and safety.

COX-2 inhibitors and dental pain control.

Celecoxib (CELEBREX) and rofecoxib (VIOXX) appear to offer the following advantages: reduced incidence of gastric ulceration during long-term administration; little or no effect on platelet aggregation; longer clinical duration of action than aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, in the context of the management of dental pain and inflammation, the following points and disadvantages should be considered: no greater effectiveness than conventional NSAIDs (e.g.