Gap finder

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)

420 questions in 100 reviews · cluster CL0279

current versions
No studies 131 · 31.2%Ungraded 222 · 52.9%Very low 47 · 11.2%Low 16 · 3.8%Moderate 4 · 1%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
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Intermediate restorative material (IRM)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary (baby) canine (single primary tooth extraction) vs No extraction (non-intervention control)
Any other adverse effects, such as gingival disease and demineralisation · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
Only root resorption was assessed; other adverse effects (gingival disease, demineralisation) were not reported.0 studiesNo studies
Periodontal treatment (subgingival SRP with or without other periodontal treatment) vs No treatment (no periodontal treatment)
Adverse events (participants with adverse events or withdrawals due to adverse events) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension
Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane
SoF 1 (Adverse effects): Only 1 study reported that 1 participant in the treatment group experienced a myocardial infarction during the study period. 1 study reported no adverse effects. The remaining 2 studies did not…2 studies · 294 participantsLow
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Super ethoxybenzoic acid (Super-EBA)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Chemotherapy (any regimen; added to, or compared with, locoregional treatment) vs Locoregional treatment and/or an alternative chemotherapy regimen
Toxicity / adverse effects (harms) of chemotherapy · People receiving curative-intent treatment for oral cavity and oropharyngeal (squamous cell) cancer
Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy (2021) · Cochrane
Harms/toxicity were planned but very little quantitative data suitable for analysis were found; toxicity reported narratively and not quantified or GRADE-rated.NRUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Root repair material (RRM)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation vs Isolite system
Adverse events · Dental patients undergoing restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction) · treatment phase
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation and moisture control (alone or with saliva aspiration) vs Cotton rolls (with or without saliva aspiration)
Adverse events · Dental patients undergoing direct or indirect restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction) · treatment phase
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events | Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Dentine-bonded resin composite vs Glass ionomer cement
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo
Adverse effects · People undergoing tooth extraction (21 of 23 trials: healthy patients undergoing impacted third molar extraction; 1… · 1st to 7th day
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.46 [0.81, 2.64]8 studies · 1277 participantsVery low
Super ethoxybenzoic acid (Super-EBA) vs Intermediate restorative material (IRM)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs Topical pimecrolimus
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment · end of treatment
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.21 [0.01, 4.10]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Clobetasol propionate plus miconazole (adjunctive antifungal) vs Clobetasol propionate plus placebo
Candidosis (adverse effect) · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
Lodi 2007: 5 cases of candidosis among 15 participants without antifungal vs 0 with adjunctive miconazole (low-certainty)1 study · 35 participantsLow
Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs Topical tacrolimus
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment · 3-8 weeks
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.22, 0.99]2 studies · 58 participantsLow
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Triangular flap vs Envelope flap
Adverse effects (wound dehiscence) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 39 participantsUngraded
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs Tetracycline + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
The only included trial (Abu Fanas 1991) reported there were no adverse events.1 study · 8 participantsUngraded
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Bone removal technique (chisel / piezoelectric / ultrasonic) vs Bur (conventional rotary)
Adverse effects · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Primary (complete) wound closure vs Secondary (partial) wound closure
Adverse effects (reactionary bleeding) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.41 [0.11, 1.47]1 study · 82 participantsVery low
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study reported diarrhoea in 2 participants from both groups.1 study · 21 participantsVery low
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study has not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Metronidazole + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
All three included trials (Matarazzo 2008; Silva 2011; Xajigeorgiou 2006) reported adverse events in both MTZ + SRP and AMOX + MTZ + SRP groups (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, metallic taste, irritability, mild…3 studies · 84 participantsUngraded
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs Clarithromycin + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Two patients were reported to have vomiting and unbearable stomach pain in the AMOX + MTZ + SRP group (Araujo 2019).1 studyUngraded
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy)
Adverse effects (root migration / fracture) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Moxifloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with chronic periodontitis
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
The included trial (Ardila 2015) had no adverse events amongst the participants.1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Irrigation technique A vs Irrigation technique B
Adverse effects · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Topical clobetasol propionate vs Topical tacrolimus
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment · 3-8 weeks
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.05 [0.00, 0.83]2 studies · 100 participantsVery low
Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs Topical ciclosporin
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment · end of treatment
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.15 [0.05, 0.49]1 study · 139 participantsUngraded
Clarithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Both included trials reported adverse events in the clarithromycin + SRP group: unpalatable taste and mild gastric intolerance in 2 patients (Pradeep 2011); mild gastrointestinal discomfort in 2 patients (Rebelatto…NRUngraded
Levofloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with chronic periodontitis
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Both included trials (Pradeep 2014; Pradeep 2015) reported dizziness and diarrhoea in the levofloxacin + SRP group.2 studiesUngraded
Cefixime + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with chronic periodontitis
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
The only included trial (Dukic 2016) reported nausea, dizziness and/or anorexia in the cefixime + SRP group.1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Surgical drain (tube or gauze) vs No drain
Adverse effects (reactionary bleeding) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Dexamethasone + nystatin + curcumin (adjunctive) vs Dexamethasone + nystatin + placebo
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
Amirchaghmaghi 2016: no adverse effects recorded in either group (low-certainty)1 studyLow
Metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
No severe adverse effects were reported by any of the participants in 1 study. 2 studies have not reported adverse events.3 studies · 71 participantsVery low
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study has not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Biotene OralBalance vs Control
Adverse effects · Critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU
Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects (Stefanescu 2013): no significant difference between groups with respect to adverse events in buccal mucosa.1 studyUngraded
Topical clobetasol propionate vs Topical ciclosporin
Adverse effects · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment · 3-8 weeks
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
RR 6.32 [0.84, 47.69]1 study · 39 participantsVery low
Doxycycline + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study has not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study has not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs Cryotherapy
Adverse events (split-mouth) · People with symptomatic, biopsy-confirmed oral lichen planus (OLP); not concurrently receiving other OLP treatment
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies (2020) · Cochrane
OR 0.01 [0.00, 0.16]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Azithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Adverse events · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
1 study reported diarrhoea, headache or dizziness, metallic taste, and general unwellness by 4 participants from the intervention group and 3 from the control group. In 1 study none of the participants reported any…2 studies · 110 participantsVery low