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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)

106 questions in 20 reviews · cluster CL0210

current versions
No studies 16 · 15.1%Ungraded 69 · 65.1%Very low 17 · 16%Low 3 · 2.8%Moderate 0 · 0%High 1 · 0.9%

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
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 6, 12 and 24 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
Single RCT (Keswani 2014, 62 teeth): 100% clinical and radiographic success in both MTA and PRF at 6, 12 and 24 months (MTA 29/29, 27/27, 26/26; PRF 30/30, 29/29, 27/27); no difference between groups; not pooled1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 6 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
RR 1.00 [0.94, 1.06]2 studies · 109 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 6 and 12 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
Single RCT (Nosrat 2012, 118 roots): 100% clinical and radiographic success in both MTA and CEM at 6 and 12 months (MTA 53/53 then 54/54 roots; CEM 55/55 then 57/57 roots); no statistical difference between groups at…1 study · 118 participantsUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Pathological periapical radiolucency · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
The results of two trials showed considerable statistical heterogeneity so no meta-analysis was performed for this outcome.2 studiesUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Clinical failure · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up: 18 to 24 months; 15 to 23 months in Howley et al., Overall
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 2.63 [0.76, 9.58]2 studies · 264 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 12 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
RR 1.04 [0.96, 1.13]2 studies · 109 participantsUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Soft tissue pathology · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 3.11 [0.54, 17.7]NRUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Pathological mobility · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
Pathologic mobility was not reported for any tooth in three trials (Howley, Aminabadi, Casas); only one tooth with pathological mobility was reported by Nguyen et al. Not pooled.4 studiesUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Pathological root resorption · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 1.5 [0.56, 4.04]2 studiesUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Abscess remedy (AR)
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 3 to 24 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
Single RCT (Eppa 2018, 3-arm; 20 MTA and 20 AR teeth): MTA 100% (20/20) vs abscess remedy 80% (16/20) clinical and radiographic success; the 4 abscess-remedy failures occurred at 3 months; difference statistically…1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Radiographic failure · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up (15-24 months)
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 0.79 [0.25, 2.42]3 studies · 338 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Triple antibiotic paste (TAP)
Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 1 to 24 months
Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019)
Single RCT (Eppa 2018, 3-arm; 20 MTA and 20 TAP teeth): 100% clinical and radiographic success in both MTA and TAP at all follow-ups (1-24 months); no difference between groups; not pooled1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Pain · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 2.06 [0.31, 13.8]NRUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Pulp canal obliteration · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · 23-24 months
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
Pulp canal obliteration seen in 18 teeth (60%) in the pulpotomy group at 23 months (Howley et al.); none at 2 years (Aminabadi et al.); 3 teeth (25%) in the pulpotomy group at 2 years (Casas et al.). Not pooled.3 studiesUngraded
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy
Radiographic failure · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up (18-23 months), Sensitivity analysis excluding Aminabadi et al. (outlier)
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019)
RR 0.45 [0.25, 0.83]2 studies · 246 participantsUngraded
Ferric sulphate/MTA pulpotomy vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpectomy
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 18 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 2.16 [0.23, 20.35]1 study · 172 participantsUngraded
Conventional restorative treatment with compomer vs Other network treatments
Treatment success rate · Primary teeth with dentin caries lesions on occlusal surfaces · Various follow-up times, Occlusal surface without reported lesion depth
Scientific evidence for the management of dentin caries lesions in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review… (2018)
RANK 15 studiesLow
Hall technique vs Other network treatments
Treatment success rate · Primary teeth with dentin caries lesions on occlusoproximal surfaces · Various follow-up times, Occlusoproximal surface without reported lesion depth
Scientific evidence for the management of dentin caries lesions in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review… (2018)
RANK 17 studiesLow
Conventional restorative treatment with resin composite (CRT-RC) vs Sealing (resin sealant over caries)
Treatment success rate (survival/success of restoration) · Children with dentin caries lesions in the outer half of dentin on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth · Mixed follow-up (6 months to 1.5 years; pooled)
Scientific evidence for the management of dentin caries lesions in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review… (2018)
RR 1.20 [1.06, 1.37]2 studies · 66 participantsLow
Formocresol (FC) pulpotomy vs Calcium hydroxide pulpectomy
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Coser 2008 randomised 51 teeth; no data provided for any outcome0 studiesNo studies
Ferric sulphate (FS)/zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpotomy vs Sedanol (ZOE) pulpectomy
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 0.60 [0.25, 1.46]1 study · 291 participantsUngraded
Ferric sulphate/MTA pulpotomy vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpectomy
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 18 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.29, 2.39]1 study · 172 participantsUngraded
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) pulpotomy vs 3Mix pulpectomy
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 5.00 [0.25, 99.95]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) pulpotomy vs 3Mix pulpectomy
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 11.00 [0.64, 190.53]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns
Crown failure · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 12 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.83 [0.05, 13.44]1 study · 194 participantsVery low
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns
Aesthetic evaluation (patient satisfaction VAS) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 12 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
MD -4.65 [-18.75, 9.45]1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns
Crown complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 60 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.44 [0.59, 3.52]1 study · 158 participantsVery low
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns
Crown complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 12 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
OR 4.31 [0.49, 37.57]1 study · 194 participantsVery low
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns
Aesthetic evaluation (patient satisfaction VAS) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 24 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
MD -0.03 [-7.65, 7.59]1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns
Aesthetic evaluation (pink and white aesthetic score, PES and WES total) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 24 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
MD -0.77 [-3.00, 1.46]1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns
Aesthetic evaluation · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
No data were presented with regard to aesthetics.0 studiesNo studies
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns
Implant crown failure · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 12 and 24 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
At 12 and 24 months 18 participants were available. No failure was reported for the test or control groups at either 12 or 24 months.1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns
Crown failure · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 60 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
OR 17.52 [5.07, 60.54]1 study · 158 participantsVery low
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns
Implant crown complications · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 24 months
Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane
OR 6.33 [0.26, 152.86]1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers)
Quality of root-end filling (retrograde/surgical treatment) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device
Quality of root-end filling (retrograde/surgical treatment) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown)
Catastrophic failure of the restored tooth or restoration leading directly to extraction · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment · 3 years
Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane
SoF 'Catastrophic failure of restoration': assumed risk (conventional filling) 0, corresponding risk (single crown) 0; no events in either group so a relative effect was not estimable; 117 participants (1 study); GRADE…1 study · 117 participantsVery low
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers)
Removal of broken (fractured) instruments from the root canal · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers)
Repair of root perforations · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown)
Non-catastrophic failure of the post · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment · 3 years
Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.96 [0.18, 21.01]1 study · 117 participantsVery low
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown)
Incidence or recurrence of caries (assessed clinically or by radiographs) · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment
Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane
No data were reported nor measured by the study. The abstract confirms no evidence was available for any secondary outcome.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device
Repair of root perforations · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers)
Quality of visualisation of root canal anatomy and morphology · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers)
Treatment success (resolution of clinical signs and symptoms with periapical radiographic healing) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment · >=1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
None of the studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and therefore no data analysis was conducted (three potentially eligible trials were identified from 1234 records; all were excluded).NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device
Treatment success (resolution of clinical signs and symptoms with periapical radiographic healing) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment · >=1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
None of the studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria; the only trial comparing three magnification devices (Taschieri 2008) was excluded, so no data analysis was conducted.NRNo studies
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown)
Non-catastrophic failure of the restoration (requiring further treatment) · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment · 3 years
Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.04, 3.05]1 study · 117 participantsVery low
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device
Quality of visualisation of root canal anatomy and morphology · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device
Removal of broken (fractured) instruments from the root canal · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed.NRNo studies
Implant-supported crowns after extraction or decoronation of the ankylosed teeth vs Conventional orthodontic treatment or follow-up with no specific treatment for ankylosis
Outcome NR · Any patient with ankylosis and displacement of permanent front teeth diagnosed by clinical and radiographic…
Interventions for treating traumatised ankylosed permanent front teeth (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Cemented implant crown vs Screw-retained implant crown
Mechanical complications / prosthesis failure (4 years) · Patients with single-tooth implants receiving implant crowns; split-mouth · 4 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
No reports of any mechanical complications or failures with either type of prosthesis (narrative)1 study · 12 participantsUngraded