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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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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, grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.38 [0.04, 3.26] | 1 study · 30 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, grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 17.72 [8.33, 37.73] | 3 studies · 1403 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 (grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.93 [0.83, 1.04] | 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, Nausea/vomiting (rIL-2, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.24 [0.90, 1.70] | 1 study · 30 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 · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Adverse events reported narratively (not meta-analysed): one study reported no adverse effects (Katranci 2012); the other four 5FU studies reported low rates of very minor adverse events (headache, chills,… | 5 studies · 444 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, grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.71 [0.33, 8.83] | 1 study · 30 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, Gastrointestinal complaints (BCG-CWP, all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 5.00 [0.27, 94.34] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based) 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 | Davies 1994: main side effects with pilocarpine were nausea 20%, sweating 15%, lacrimation 10%. One participant definitely withdrew because of side effects; another may have. | 1 study · 20 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 (grades >=3) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.20 [0.96, 1.51] | 4 studies · 1495 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, Xerostomia (all grades) Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.91, 1.04] | 3 studies · 1417 participants | Ungraded |
Systemic interventions (aciclovir, thalidomide, corticosteroids, rebamipide, etanercept, colchicine, interferon-alpha) vs Placebo Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | SoF 2 (systemic interventions vs placebo), grouped comment spanning all four listed outcomes (verbatim; the review's wording "topical" is a typo for systemic): "8 placebo-controlled trials evaluated topical… | NR | Ungraded |
Cyclosporin (systemic; 10 mg/kg/day) vs Colchicine (systemic; 1 mg daily) Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | Masuda 1989: multiple adverse events in the cyclosporin arm; 3 patients withdrew and 9 had a dose reduction as a result. | 1 study · 92 participants | Ungraded |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Adverse events · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | This outcome was unreported in all included studies | 0 studies | No studies |
Powered toothbrush (any mode of action) vs Manual toothbrush Staining · Individuals of any age with no reported disability that might affect toothbrushing (including people wearing… Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health (2014) · Cochrane | Three trials reported no difference in tooth staining between manual and powered brushes. | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Cyclosporin A in orabase (topical) vs Placebo (orabase) Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | Ergun 1997: no adverse effects were seen. | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Topical interventions (sucralfate, interferon-alpha, cyclosporin A) vs Placebo Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | SoF (topical interventions vs placebo), grouped comment spanning all four listed outcomes (verbatim): "5 placebo-controlled trials evaluated topical interventions (sucralfate suspension (2 trials), interferon-alpha (2… | NR | Ungraded |
Repelling-magnet splints vs Bite-blocks Side effects / adverse effects (unilateral crossbite; transverse problems) · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · About 4 months (treatment interrupted early) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | "After 4 months the open bite was observed to close in the magnet group, but in four out of these ten patients, transverse problems were observed (unilateral crossbite) which led to the interruption of the treatment… | 1 study · 10 participants | Ungraded |
Thalidomide (systemic; 100 mg or 300 mg daily) vs Placebo Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… · Males only Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | Hamuryudan 1998: significant adverse effects including severe sedation, polyneuropathy, loss of libido, and weight gain; a greater number of adverse events was seen for the higher (300 mg) dose; 4 patients withdrew due… | 1 study · 101 participants | Ungraded |
Powered toothbrush (any mode of action) vs Manual toothbrush Adverse events (soft tissue trauma) · Individuals of any age with no reported disability that might affect toothbrushing (including people wearing… Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health (2014) · Cochrane | SoF 'Adverse events' row (narrative): There was no apparent relationship between the use of powered toothbrushes and soft tissue trauma. In part this finding was due to the very small number of adverse events reported… | 40 studies | Ungraded |
Interferon-alpha (systemic) vs Placebo (subcutaneous) Safety of the intervention including adverse effects · People with Behcet's disease with a history of recurrent oral aphthous-type (RAS-type) ulcers diagnosed clinically;… Interventions for managing oral ulcers in Behçet's disease (2014) · Cochrane | Alpsoy 2002: high rate of adverse events including alopecia, leukopenia, and diarrhoea; 18 of 23 patients in the treatment arm experienced mild flu-like symptoms. | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Side effects / tolerability · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Outcome proposed in the review but not found in any included study. The review states: 'The other outcomes proposed in this review were not found: stability of anterior open bite correction; reduction of snoring; signs… | 0 studies | No studies |
Dual mini-screw implant vs Single mini-screw implant Adverse effects · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported in any of the studies comparing two types of surgical anchorage | 0 studies | No studies |
Combined paracetamol plus ibuprofen in a single tablet (e.g. paracetamol 1000 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg or 500/200 mg) vs Single drugs given separately (paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg) Adverse events · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · Study period (immediate postoperative) Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2013) · Cochrane | The majority of adverse events were minor in nature and usually included nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Side effect profiles have not been included in a meta-analysis as multiple adverse events were… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Adverse effects (headgear injuries, gum health, tooth damage/decay, root resorption) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported by these studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Adverse effects including pain, gingivitis, enamel decalcification and root resorption · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
2 mm locking titanium plates vs 2 mm non-locking titanium plates Post-operative adverse events and complications (paraesthesia, swelling, segmental mobility) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Agarwal 2011: paraesthesia in one participant in the non-locking plate group (resolved by 3 months), none in the locking group; infection rates similar at 6 weeks and 3 months; post-operative swelling in 20% of both… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Two miniplates (transbuccal approach) vs One miniplate plus two screws (intraoral approach at external oblique ridge) Post-operative adverse events and complications (lip numbness; overall) · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Siddiqui 2007: 22/36 (61%) single-miniplate vs 14/26 (54%) two-miniplate had one or more complications; subjective lip numbness 15/36 (41.7%) vs 10/26 (38.5%) (P=0.82), objective 16/36 (44.4%) vs 8/26 (31.7%) (P=0.29).… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Two lag screws vs One lag screw (with arch bars and IMF) Post-operative adverse events and complications · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Three participants in the two-lag-screws group experienced complications: malocclusion (one) and mental-nerve paraesthesia (two, resolved after 3 months). There were no post-operative complications in the one-lag-screw… | 1 study | Ungraded |
3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates Post-operative adverse events and complications · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Jain 2010 (3D group): segmental mobility (two), proximity to mental nerve or roots (two), radiologically unsatisfactory reduction (one) and unsatisfactory fixation (four) vs one (standard); only fixation differed… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Electrostimulation (device) vs Placebo (sham/placebo device) Adverse events · Adults with dry mouth due to Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | Wong 2003 stated 'no adverse effects were caused by Codetron'; Steller 1988 and Talal 1992 did not mention whether adverse effects occurred | NR | Ungraded |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Adverse effects (headgear injuries, gum health, tooth damage/decay, root resorption) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported by these studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Adverse events · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | Acupuncture was associated with more adverse effects (tiny bruises and tiredness, mild and temporary); List 1998 noted significant eye discomfort; Pfister 2010 reported temporary increases in pain, minor bruising or… | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Adverse effects (headgear injuries, gum health, tooth damage/decay, root resorption) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported in the studies of this comparison; no included study across the review reported adverse effects, harm or injury. | 0 studies | No studies |
Immediate mobilization vs 2 weeks delayed mobilization (IMF) Post-operative adverse events and complications · Adults with mandibular fractures excluding condyles (fixed with 2 mm titanium miniplates) Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | One wound separation and one infection in the immediate-mobilization group. Inferior alveolar nerve status (scale 1 to 3) showed no significant difference at 6 weeks (P=0.76), 3 months (P=0.87) or 6 months (P=0.99).… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ibuprofen (single postoperative oral dose; 200 mg to 512 mg) vs Paracetamol (acetaminophen) (single postoperative oral dose; 600 mg to 1000 mg) Adverse events · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · Study period (immediate postoperative) Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2013) · Cochrane | The majority of adverse events were minor in nature and usually included nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Side effect profiles have not been included in a meta-analysis as multiple adverse events were… | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Prophylactic systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin) vs No antibiotics or placebo Adverse events · Adults undergoing dental implant placement · 3 to 5 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.0 [0.06, 15.85] | 6 studies · 1162 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
HAART regimen + topical treatment vs HAART regimen alone Adverse effects of long‐term use of available topical agents · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Patients receiving levamisole reported more adverse effects than those receiving placebo (mild stomach upset/nausea, diarrhoea, sleeplessness, dysgeusia/dysosmia), however no adverse effects were reported as requiring… | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate vs Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids (betamethasone) Complications (adverse effects) · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.20 [0.44, 3.30] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Sulodexide was not associated with significant adverse events. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Rofecoxib (oral, 50 mg on first day then 25 to 50 mg per day for 4 days) vs Tinidazole (1 g per day for 3 days) Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | No adverse effects reported in translation. | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Diclofenac sodium (oral NSAID) vs Occlusal splint therapy Complications (adverse effects) · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.07 [0.50, 2.28] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% vs Normal saline Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Beta-glucan (1.3/1.6 beta-glucan 10 mg twice daily for 20 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 20 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | There was no reporting of adverse effects. | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole 50 mg three times per day for days 1 and 2 vs Levamisole 50 mg three times per day for day 1 and placebo for day 2 (lower dose) Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 16 weeks Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Two patients in each group reported unwanted effects. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Femiano 2003: one significant adverse event (gastritis) for the prednisone group versus none for placebo. Femiano 2010: more drug-related adverse effects for those treated with prednisone than placebo. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Prednisone (oral) Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Sulodexide was without significant adverse events; one significant adverse event (gastritis) was reported for the prednisone group. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |