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.
420 questions in 100 reviews · cluster CL0279
current versionsNo 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
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Preoperative ibuprofen vs Placebo Adverse events · Children and adolescents having orthodontic separator placement (without local anaesthetic) Preoperative analgesics for additional pain relief in children and adolescents having dental treatment (2016) · Cochrane | One participant from the ibuprofen group and one from the placebo group reported a lip or cheek biting injury (Bernhardt 2001). No other adverse events were recorded for Bernhardt 2001 and Law 2000. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin + alpha lipoic acid) vs Placebo Adverse effects: drowsiness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 14.52 [0.73, 290.44] | 1 study · 80 participants | Very low |
Oral appliance or functional orthopaedic appliance vs Placebo or no treatment Side effects and tolerability (patient self report) · Children with obstructive sleep apnoea (aged 15 years or younger) · 6 months Oral appliances and functional orthopaedic appliances for obstructive sleep apnoea in children (2016) · Cochrane | Tolerability: 73.7% fitted with oral appliance (14/19 children) tolerated the treatment well and 26.3% (five children) discontinued therapy. Side effects: the included study did not assess this outcome. | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects for BWM: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Any experimental intervention (surgical or non-surgical) vs None (placebo or no treatment) Adverse events · People of any age and either sex, in any setting, with BRONJ; bisphosphonate exposure past or current; includes people… Interventions for treating bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Physical barriers (tongue protector) vs Placebo Adverse effects (narrative) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF7. Adverse effects: single study narratively reported that no adverse events occurred from the use of tongue protectors; 50 participants (1 RCT); low. | 1 study · 50 participants | Low |
Systemic beta carotene or carotenoids (incl. lycopene) vs Placebo or no treatment Safety of the intervention (adverse effects) · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia · 5 to 12 months Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | SoF 2, Safety of the intervention at 5 to 12 months: 'Systemic beta carotene did not cause any adverse effects in 1 study supplementing 10 mg/d (Nagao), and caused adverse effects of varying severity in 9% of… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: abdominal pains · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 1.32 [0.42, 4.15] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy plus standard care (surgery, antibiotics, oral rinse) vs Standard care alone (surgery, antibiotics, oral rinse) Adverse effects · People with BRONJ (mean age ~66 years; most treated with bisphosphonates for cancer (multiple myeloma, breast cancer)… Interventions for treating bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: headache · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 1.58 [0.30, 8.40] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs Placebo Adverse effects · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF8: No included study reported the occurrence of adverse events. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: urinary incontinence · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 3.16 [0.14, 72.84] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin + alpha lipoic acid) vs Placebo Adverse effects: mild headache · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months), gabapentin with adjunctive ALA Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 8.71 [0.37, 205.80] | 1 study · 80 participants | Very low |
Perioperative infraorbital nerve block vs Placebo (sham block) Adverse events · Children up to 13 years of age, undergoing cleft lip repair surgery Infraorbital nerve block for postoperative pain following cleft lip repair in children (2016) · Cochrane | 2 out of 3 studies reported this outcome. One study reported no differences between groups, and the other study reported more vomiting in the placebo group (Takmaz 2009: vomiting 40% placebo versus 10% intervention; P… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: drowsiness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 4.75 [1.18, 19.07] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: palpitations · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.17, 6.72] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Benzodiazepines (topical clonazepam) vs Placebo Adverse effects: spasmophilia · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months), topical clonazepam Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 70.16] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin 300 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: drowsiness (gabapentin alone) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 31.95 [1.84, 553.64] | 1 study · 80 participants | Very low |
Antidepressants (trazodone 200 mg/day) vs Placebo Adverse effects: dry mouth · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 3.17 [0.36, 27.72] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Preoperative paracetamol (acetaminophen) vs Placebo Adverse events · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic (restorative and extraction treatments) Preoperative analgesics for additional pain relief in children and adolescents having dental treatment (2016) · Cochrane | No adverse events were recorded in Primosch 1995. The other two studies did not mention adverse events. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Benzodiazepines (topical clonazepam) vs Placebo Adverse effects: euphoric behaviour · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months), topical clonazepam Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 70.16] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Bowman-Birk inhibitor vs Placebo or no treatment Safety of the intervention (adverse effects) · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia · up to 6 months Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | SoF 6, Safety of the intervention up to 6 months: 'Trial authors reported that there were no significant adverse effects. 33 participants in the intervention group reported 75 adverse effects. 25 participants in the… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Perioperative infraorbital nerve block vs Infiltration of the incision (peri-incisional infiltration) Adverse events · Children up to 13 years of age, undergoing cleft lip repair surgery Infraorbital nerve block for postoperative pain following cleft lip repair in children (2016) · Cochrane | Of the 2 included studies, one study reported no difference between groups (Gaonkar 2004: no adverse events attributable to either technique), and the other study did not report this outcome. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Moderate to severe chills (BCG-CWP, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 11.00 [0.67, 179.29] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (lapatinib, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 2.02 [1.23, 3.32] | 1 study · 67 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Gastrointestinal complaints (gefitinib, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.04 [0.98, 1.11] | 1 study · 226 participants | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Mucositis (all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Mucositis all grades: not estimable due to high heterogeneity (P=0.0009; I2=86%) between subgroups (cetuximab; nimotuzumab) and within cetuximab (I2=93%); 1417 participants, 3 studies. Table 3, row 1.6 (Ang 2014;… | 3 studies · 1417 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic appliances (palatal arch/palatal crib) vs No treatment Adverse events · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | SoF (orthodontic appliances vs no treatment): Adverse events - insufficient information reported. Table 3 (adverse outcomes after one month; Haryett 1967), orthodontic treatment group: reported upset 6/22 (27%); speech… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Gastrointestinal complaints (lapatinib, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 15.53 [2.18, 110.55] | 1 study · 67 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (erlotinib, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 6.57 [3.60, 12.00] | 1 study · 191 participants | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Skin toxicity/acneiform rash (cetuximab, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 6.56 [5.35, 8.03] | 2 studies · 1311 participants | Ungraded |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Adverse events · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers) Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Adverse events reported narratively: one study did not report adverse events (Askarifar 2015); another reported no serious adverse events (Toro 2013); the remaining two reported low rates of shooting pain from the… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Nausea/vomiting (rIL-2, grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 3.40 [0.15, 77.34] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention + orthodontic treatment (palatal crib or palatal arch) vs No treatment Adverse events · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | Table 3 (adverse outcomes after one month; Haryett 1967), combined psychological plus orthodontic treatment group: reported upset 4/22 (18%); speech difficulty 6/22 (27%); eating difficulty 6/22 (27%); developing… | 1 study | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Xerostomia (grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.36 [0.80, 2.31] | 2 studies · 1311 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Mucositis (grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.22 [0.96, 1.56] | 2 studies · 286 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological interventions vs No treatment Adverse events · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | SoF (psychological interventions vs no treatment): Adverse events - insufficient information reported. Table 3 (adverse outcomes after one month; Haryett 1967), psychological treatment group: reported upset 1/11 (9%);… | 1 study | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Skin toxicity/acneiform rash (nimotuzumab, grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.20 [0.01, 4.05] | 1 study · 92 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Mucositis (all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.94, 1.11] | 2 studies · 286 participants | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Skin toxicity/acneiform rash (nimotuzumab, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.85, 1.31] | 1 study · 92 participants | Ungraded |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Dysphagia (all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.92, 1.03] | 3 studies · 1403 participants | Ungraded |
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Stomatitis (rIL-2, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.47 [0.75, 2.90] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (gefitinib, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.28] | 2 studies · 286 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Placebo Adverse effects (side effects; treatment withdrawals) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Johnson 1993 (5 mg tds): sweating 37%, headache 15%, urinary frequency 14%, vasodilatation 12%, dizziness 10%, dyspepsia 10%, nausea 8%, asthenia 8%, diarrhoea 5%; 6% withdrew at 5 mg tds and 29% at 10 mg tds. LeVeque… | 2 studies · 278 participants | Ungraded |
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Leukopenia (rIL-2, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.57 [0.22, 1.50] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Gastrointestinal complaints (grades >=3, pooled) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.11 [0.83, 1.49] | 3 studies · 484 participants | Ungraded |
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Increased temperature (BCG-CWP, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.13, 3.30] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (grades >=3, pooled) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.25 [0.54, 2.88] | 4 studies · 544 participants | Ungraded |