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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

162 questions in 21 reviews · cluster CL0190

current versions
No studies 28 · 17.3%Ungraded 98 · 60.5%Very low 27 · 16.7%Low 9 · 5.6%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Intervention categories, outcome domains and clusters are a proposed key pending human validation. Clear all filters

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Diode laser, near infrared (700 nm to 850 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -2.62 [-5.61, 0.38]4 studiesUngraded
Er,Cr:YSGG laser (erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Long term (more than 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -5.19 [-5.50, -4.89]2 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, visible red (630 nm to 700 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -1.95 [-3.14, -0.76]4 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, visible red (630 nm to 700 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Long term (more than 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD 0.81 [-0.78, 2.40]1 studyUngraded
Diode laser, near infrared (850 nm to 980 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Medium term (24 hours to 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -2.30 [-2.86, -1.74]1 studyUngraded
CO2 laser (carbon dioxide) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Outcome NR · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
We did not find any eligible study to evaluate erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) or carbon dioxide (CO2) laser compared with placebo/no treatment.0 studiesNo studies
Diode laser, near infrared (700 nm to 850 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD 0.27 [-0.60, 1.14]2 studiesUngraded
In-office laser therapy (all types combined) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -0.67 [-1.31, -0.03]8 studies · 506 participantsLow
Er,Cr:YSGG laser (erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Medium term (24 hours to 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD 0.38 [-0.13, 0.89]1 studyUngraded
Diode laser, near infrared (700 nm to 850 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Long term (more than 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -3.83 [-6.90, -0.77]2 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, near infrared (850 nm to 980 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -2.17 [-2.80, -1.54]1 studyUngraded
Nd:YAG laser (neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Medium term (24 hours to 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD 0.42 [-0.97, 1.82]2 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, visible red (630 nm to 700 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Long term (more than 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -4.67 [-5.38, -3.96]2 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, visible red (630 nm to 700 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through tactile stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -0.81 [-1.16, -0.45]4 studiesUngraded
Diode laser, visible red (630 nm to 700 nm) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Medium term (24 hours to 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -1.45 [-4.35, 1.44]4 studiesUngraded
Er,Cr:YSGG laser (erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Medium term (24 hours to 2 months)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
MD -4.90 [-5.21, -4.59]2 studiesUngraded
Subgingival laser irradiation + povidone-iodine vs SRP alone
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 4 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD 70.0 [63.88, 76.12]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Laser enamel preparation alone (Er,Cr:YSGG or CO2 laser) vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid)
Clinical (chair-side) time · Caries-free children to young adults with premolars/molars requiring pit-and-fissure sealants
The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019)
Walsh 1996 reported laser conditioning time of 7 s vs 70 s for acid preparation; Kumar 2016 reported Er,Cr:YSGG exposure ~10 s vs >35 s for acid etching; laser conditioning was shorter but times were not pooled, and…2 studiesUngraded
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Completion of dental treatment · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
SRP plus subgingival laser irradiation vs SRP alone
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 4 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -3.3 [-9.38, 2.78]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Reduction in gagging (assessor-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
MD 1.80 [1.53, 2.07]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Er:YAG laser preparation combined with acid-etching vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) alone
Physiological stress indicators (heart rate, oxygen saturation) · Children (ages 6-12) receiving pit-and-fissure sealants
The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019)
Shindova 2018 (Er:YAG laser+acid vs acid-etching): no significant differences in heart rate or oxygen saturation between groups.1 study · 64 participantsUngraded
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
OR 86.33 [29.41, 253.45]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Subgingival laser irradiation + povidone-iodine vs SRP alone
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 4 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.49 [0.3, 0.68]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Er:YAG laser preparation combined with acid-etching vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) alone
Dental anxiety (subjective and objective scores) · Children (ages 6-12) receiving pit-and-fissure sealants
The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019)
Shindova 2018 (Er:YAG laser+acid vs acid-etching): no significant difference between initial and final subjective anxiety scores for the two groups; use of the Er:YAG laser did not provoke anxiety (P > 0.05).1 study · 64 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 7.00 [0.39, 124.83]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Fernandes 2015); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Diode laser vs Electrosurgery
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.20 [0.01, 3.70]2 studies · 50 participantsVery low
Low-level diode laser vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
Overall failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 4.00 [0.49, 32.72]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 2.13 [0.20, 22.70]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded
Diode laser vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.38, 2.12]3 studies · 130 participantsLow
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Fernandes 2015); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Diode laser vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.23 [0.04, 1.30]3 studies · 130 participantsLow
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Fernandes 2015); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.50 [0.15, 1.64]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.00 [0.24, 4.18]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Diode laser + mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Formocresol (FC) + zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · mean 15.7 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 4.00 [0.48, 33.42]1 study · 52 participantsUngraded
Diode laser + mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Formocresol (FC) + zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · mean 15.7 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Saltzman 2005); not estimable1 study · 52 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.50 [0.15, 1.64]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Diode laser vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 2.00 [0.75, 5.33]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.62 [0.11, 3.56]1 study · 91 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.31 [0.11, 0.90]1 study · 91 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 5.31 [0.26, 107.86]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.61 [0.19, 1.94]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone
Clinical attachment level (mm) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.97 [-3.51, 1.57]1 study · 10 participantsVery low
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Fernandes 2015); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone
Tooth loss · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane
Not measured0 studiesNo studies
Diode laser vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.95]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Fernandes 2015); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.28, 4.01]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded