A critical evaluation of meta-analyses in orthodontics - Corrective Dentistry (Orthodontics) Articles

Note: You will need to copy and paste the URL in a browser window to view the abstract online.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W9R-4NN0V9S-K&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2007&_alid=645762651&_rdoc=31&_fmt=summary&_orig=search&_cdi=6689&_st=13&_docanchor=&view=f&_ct=1673&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=77ece74dc4cd3ccd86ab8076155e4ea0

You can view the abstract online. A subscription is required to view the full text or it can be purchased online.

A critical evaluation of meta-analyses in orthodontics
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Volume 131, Issue 5, May 2007, Pages 589-599.e7

Moschos A. Papadopoulos, a, and Ioannis Gkiaouris, b
a - Associate professor and program coordinator, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
b - Student, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Received 1 January 2006; revised 1 April 2006; accepted 1 April 2006. Available online 4 May 2007.

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the topics in orthodontics that currently provide the best evidence, as documented by meta-analyses, by critically evaluating and discussing the methodologies used in these studies.

Methods: Several electronic databases were searched, and hand searching was also done to identify the corresponding meta-analysis studies dealing with orthodontic-related subjects. In total, 98 studies were retrieved initially. After applying specific inclusion criteria, 16 orthodontic-related articles were identified as meta-analyses.

Results: Many of these 16 articles followed appropriate meta-analytic approaches to quantitatively synthesize data and presented adequately supported evidence. However, the methodologies used in others had weaknesses, limitations, or deficiencies. Consequently, the topics in orthodontics that currently provide the best evidence, as documented by meta-analyses, include issues concerning maxillary protraction treatment, prevention of posterior crossbites, reliability of lateral cephalometric measurements, correlation between anterior tooth injuries and magnitude of overjet, correlation of external apical root resorption with treatment-related factors and type of tooth movement, and prevalence of tooth agenesis.

Conclusions: Currently, for only a few orthodontic topics is there adequately supported evidence. More well-conducted, high-quality studies are needed to produce strong evidence in orthodontics.

Copyright © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. ScienceDirect? is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.