Evidence-based dentistry as defined by the ADA is “an approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.”

Many times there is no specific body of evidence to answer a particular question, and that is when you fall back on your training, knowledge you have acquired since dental school and combine that with the patient’s wants.