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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

3,358 questions in 190 reviews · cluster CL0289

current versions
No studies 599 · 17.8%Ungraded 1,759 · 52.4%Very low 612 · 18.2%Low 269 · 8%Moderate 107 · 3.2%High 12 · 0.4%

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
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Self-reported joint pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Bone-anchored intermaxillary traction (BAIMT) vs Removable mandibular retractor (RMR)
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · 1-year follow-up
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.70 [0.25, 1.15]1 study · 38 participantsUngraded
Postoperative systemic antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin/penicillin VK, 7-day course), partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics vs Matched placebo, partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics
Number of ibuprofen tablets required · Adults with a symptomatic necrotic tooth or localised acute apical abscess (no signs of spreading infection or… · 7 days
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
MD 1.58 [-4.55, 7.71]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic removable traction appliance (ORTA) vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Wits appraisal · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 5.96 [4.71, 7.21]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Facemask (with frame internal fixation) vs Frankel III functional appliance
Wits appraisal · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.06 [-0.26, 0.38]1 study · 34 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Acupuncture
Range of mandibular motion · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term, Myofascial pain TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD 5.54 [-8.06, 19.13]2 studies · 67 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint)
Joint pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (10 weeks), Mixed TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 0.13 [0.02, 0.94]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Intralesional steroid injection plus adjunctive treatment vs Intralesional steroid injection alone
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.03 [-2.48, 2.43]2 studies · 148 participantsLow
Topical curcumin gel vs Topical aloe vera gel
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.64 [-3.91, 2.63]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Commercial fluoride-releasing RMGIC orthodontic adhesive (Fuji Ortho LC) vs Conventional non-fluoride control orthodontic adhesive (e.g., Transbond XT)
Fluoride ion release · Human enamel specimens around orthodontic brackets (in vitro) · up to 6 months, In vitro (laboratory), Overall
Remineralization and anti-demineralization effect of orthodontic adhesives on enamel surrounding orthodontic… (2024)
One study reported significant fluoride release from the commercial RMGIC Fuji Ortho LC up to 6 months [14].1 studyUngraded
Mandibular headgear vs Untreated control (no treatment)
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
Arun 1994 (n=60): ANB data not usable (no SDs); Mann-Whitney P<0.001 benefit for mandibular headgear. Effect ~0.5 degrees, probably not clinically significant.1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Reverse Twin Block with lip pads and rapid maxillary expander (RME) vs Untreated control (no treatment)
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 3.66 [2.73, 4.59]1 study · 26 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Muscle pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Reverse Forsus vs Untreated control (no treatment)
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 2.84 [1.89, 3.79]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Non-surgical orthodontic treatment (any: facemask, chin cup, tandem traction bow, mandibular headgear, ORTA, reverse Twin Block, Reverse Forsus) vs No treatment
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment (9 to 15 months)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 5.03 [3.81, 6.25]4 studies · 184 participantsModerate
Facemask vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Wits appraisal · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 3.58 [2.78, 4.37]2 studies · 72 participantsUngraded
Single preoperative dose of systemic antibiotics (clindamycin 600 mg), total chemo-mechanical debridement and root filling vs Matched placebo, total chemo-mechanical debridement and root filling
Swelling at 24 hours · Adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis (no signs of spreading infection or systemic involvement) · 24 hours
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
No data available for this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Muscle pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Postoperative systemic antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin/penicillin VK, 7-day course), partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics vs Matched placebo, partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics
Percussion pain at 24 hours · Adults with a symptomatic necrotic tooth or localised acute apical abscess (no signs of spreading infection or… · 24 hours
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.32 [-0.85, 0.21]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
Buccal fat pad pedicle plus placental extract vs Buccal fat pad pedicle alone
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD 7.80 [4.90, 10.70]1 study · 10 participantsVery low
Surgically-anchored orthodontic treatment (miniplates) vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 7.69 [6.99, 8.40]1 study · 30 participantsLow
Facemask vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment (9 to 15 months)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 5.04 [4.29, 5.80]2 studies · 92 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action
Recurrence rate · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 2 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy)
Self-reported joint pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 3 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Facemask only
Wits appraisal · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.10 [-1.08, 1.29]2 studies · 60 participantsUngraded
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment
Participant-reported resumption of normal eating, chewing and speech · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF)
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
SoF: participant-reported resumption of normal eating, chewing and speech - outcome not reported by included studies.0 studiesNo studies
Single-strand superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Coaxial superelastic NiTi arch wire
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 4 weeks
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
MD -2.64 [-4.61, -0.67]2 studies · 64 participantsModerate
Postoperative systemic antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin/penicillin VK, 7-day course), partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics vs Matched placebo, partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics
Pain at 24 hours · Adults with a symptomatic necrotic tooth or localised acute apical abscess (no signs of spreading infection or… · 24 hours
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.03 [-0.53, 0.47]2 studies · 61 participantsVery low
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Reverse chin cup
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.20 [-0.71, 1.11]1 study · 42 participantsUngraded
Vasodilators (isoxsuprine, xanthinol nicotinate) vs Placebo or no active treatment
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD 4.04 [-1.93, 10.02]2 studies · 85 participantsVery low
Occlusal splint vs Acupuncture
Recurrence rate · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 5 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Postoperative systemic antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin/penicillin VK, 7-day course), partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics vs Matched placebo, partial or total chemo-mechanical debridement and analgesics
Swelling at 48 hours · Adults with a symptomatic necrotic tooth or localised acute apical abscess (no signs of spreading infection or… · 48 hours
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
SMD 0.04 [-0.47, 0.55]2 studies · 61 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological therapy
Recurrence rate · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 6 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological therapy
Discomfort · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 6 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Tandem traction bow appliance vs Untreated control (no treatment)
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 1.70 [1.09, 2.31]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Facemask vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Self-esteem (Piers-Harris self-concept scale) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · 3-year follow-up
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.60 [-2.57, 3.77]1 study · 63 participantsUngraded
Buccal fat pad graft vs Extended nasolabial flap
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD 6.50 [-10.72, 23.72]1 study · 8 participantsVery low
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Facemask with alternating rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC)
ANB · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.46 [-1.03, 0.10]4 studies · 131 participantsLow
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological therapy
Severity of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 6 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Intralesional steroid injection plus adjunctive treatment vs Intralesional steroid injection alone
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.85 [-3.31, 1.61]2 studies · 148 participantsLow
Chin cup (600 g force) vs Chin cup (300 g force)
Wits appraisal · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.30 [-1.12, 0.52]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological therapy
Self-reported joint pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (3 months), Osteoarthritis
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 2.10 [0.83, 5.30]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Pentoxifylline vs Spirulina
Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.50 [-6.60, 7.60]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Hybrid Hyrax (RME) with miniscrews and Class III elastics vs Conventional Hyrax (RME) with miniscrews and Class III elastics
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.91 [-0.56, 2.38]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Conventional (stabilised) NiTi arch wire
Root resorption · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch)
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Root resorption: not reported0 studiesNo studies
Biodentine vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure · >=12 months
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
OR 6.03 [0.97, 37.6]2 studiesUngraded
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Mini maxillary protractor
Overjet · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) · End of treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.06 [-1.52, 1.40]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Thermoelastic copper NiTi (CuNiTi) arch wire vs Conventional NiTi arch wire
Pain · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch)
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Pain: not reported0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action
Muscle pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 2 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Conventional (stabilised) NiTi arch wire
Time to alignment · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch)
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Time to alignment: not reported0 studiesNo studies