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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 Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy)
Joint pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (6 weeks), Disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.47, 1.57]1 study · 31 participantsVery low
Remineralizing orthodontic adhesives vs Control orthodontic adhesives
Ion release · Human teeth with early enamel lesions surrounding orthodontic brackets · 14 days to 6 months, In vitro cariogenic-challenge models
Remineralization and anti-demineralization effect of orthodontic adhesives on enamel surrounding orthodontic… (2024)
no estimate extracted8 studiesUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure · >=12 months
Asked by 2 reviewsEfficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
OR 2.41 [1.28, 4.51]7 studies · 377 participantsLow
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Reverse Twin Block with lip pads and rapid maxillary expander (RME)
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 -1.04 [-2.07, -0.01]1 study · 26 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Frequency of joint noise · 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
Facemask (RME) or modified facemask vs Surgically-anchored appliance (miniscrews or miniplates)
Perceived need for surgery in adulthood · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or younger) with prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children (2024) · Cochrane
SoF4: Perceived need for surgery in adulthood - Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
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
Analgesic use · Adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis (no signs of spreading infection or systemic involvement) · 7 days
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.48, 1.55]1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Intralesional triamcinolone vs Intralesional triamcinolone plus salvianolic acid B
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 -2.38 [-5.64, 0.88]1 study · 28 participantsVery low
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) · Less than 3 months
Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane
MD 2.51 [-0.99, 6.01]2 studies · 85 participantsVery low
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Recurrence rate · 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
Non-surgical orthodontic treatment (any: facemask, chin cup, tandem traction bow, mandibular headgear, ORTA, reverse Twin Block, Reverse Forsus) vs No treatment
ANB · 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 3.05 [2.40, 3.71]8 studies · 345 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
Percussion pain at 7 days · 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 0.06 [-0.29, 0.41]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
Intralesional dexamethasone injections vs Placebo injections
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 -2.10 [-6.77, 2.57]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Intralesional dexamethasone injections vs Placebo injections
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 -1.80 [-6.30, 2.70]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Reverse Forsus
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 0.46 [-0.90, 1.82]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Surgery plus Heister jaw opener vs Surgery plus wooden tongue depressors
Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · 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
Vadepally 2019 measured burning sensation on a VAS but did not fully report results, stating there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (p=0.617).1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Oxitard (antioxidant) vs Aloe vera gel
Difficulty in speech (participant-reported proxy) · 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
OR 0.32 [0.14, 0.76]1 study · 120 participantsUngraded
Single-strand superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Coaxial superelastic NiTi arch wire
Time to next/working arch wire · 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
No studies reported time to next/working arch wire0 studiesNo studies
Superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Conventional (stabilised) NiTi arch wire
Time to next/working arch wire · 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
MD 0.40 [-0.10, 0.90]1 study · 88 participantsUngraded
Facemask vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Self-esteem (Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Score, OASIS) · 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 -3.40 [-7.99, 1.19]1 study · 63 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint)
Frequency of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (mean 10 weeks), Myofascial pain TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 1.18 [0.63, 2.20]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Pentoxifylline 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 -0.15 [-5.04, 4.74]2 studies · 136 participantsVery low
Minimally invasive caries removal (MIT): selective removal to soft dentin, self-limiting chemomechanical removal, or partial/incomplete caries removal vs Conventional caries removal (CT): selective removal to firm dentin, stepwise excavation, or complete caries removal
Restoration/treatment success rate · Patients with deep carious lesions in permanent (mainly posterior) teeth · 1 to 5 years (follow-up varied by study)
Comparative Meta-Analysis of Minimally Invasive and Conventional Approaches for Caries Removal in Permanent… (2024)
Mean success-rate percentage (unweighted study-level mean, 7 studies) MIT 83.6% vs CT 75.4% (Mann-Whitney U = 0.2, p > 0.05; not statistically significant)7 studies · 1305 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action
Range of mandibular motion · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (12 weeks), Mixed TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD 0.63 [-3.16, 4.42]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic adhesives containing bioactive glass (BAG) particles/nanoparticles (including fluoride- or Ga-doped BAG) vs Conventional/control orthodontic adhesive (e.g., Transbond XT) or negative control
Ion release (fluoride, calcium, phosphate) · Human enamel specimens around orthodontic brackets (in vitro) · 14 days [31] and 20 days [27,28] (per Discussion); ion-release durations for [23,24] not reported, In vitro (laboratory), Overall
Remineralization and anti-demineralization effect of orthodontic adhesives on enamel surrounding orthodontic… (2024)
Ion release from BAG-containing adhesives was assessed in 5 studies [23, 24, 27, 28, 31]; a significant increase of phosphate ion release with gallium-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles up to 14 days was reported…5 studiesUngraded
Facemask vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Overjet · 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 2.50 [1.21, 3.79]1 study · 63 participantsModerate
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Facemask only
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 1.86 [0.39, 3.33]1 study · 31 participantsLow
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment
Participant satisfaction · 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
The trials did not measure participant satisfaction.0 studiesNo studies
Superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Thermoelastic NiTi arch wire
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 4 to 16 weeks
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.28 [-0.62, 0.06]5 studies · 183 participantsLow
Intralesional betamethasone vs Placebo
Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · 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
Goel 2015 (3-arm: intralesional betamethasone vs lycopene vs placebo, 90 per arm): appeared to show increased interincisal distance in both intervention groups vs placebo, but only between-group differences with no…1 study · 180 participantsUngraded
Intralesional triamcinolone vs Intralesional triamcinolone plus salvianolic acid B
Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · 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 -1.00 [-10.37, 8.37]1 study · 28 participantsVery low
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure · >=12 months, Irreversible pulpitis
Asked by 2 reviewsEfficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
OR 3.17 [1.25, 7.99]NRUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Acupuncture
Muscle pain at rest · 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
Tandem traction bow appliance 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 3.30 [2.46, 4.14]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Biodentine
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 0.89 [0.47, 1.69]6 studies · 348 participantsLow
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Reverse Forsus
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 1.59 [0.80, 2.38]1 study · 30 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
Pain at 72 hours · Adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis (no signs of spreading infection or systemic involvement) · 72 hours
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
The median pain at 72 hours in the control group was 0 (range 0 to 10); the median pain at 72 hours in the intervention group was the same (median 0, range 0 to 7). P = 0.116 (Mann-Whitney U).1 study · 72 participantsLow
Occlusal splint vs No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint)
Range of mandibular motion · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term, Disc displacement (with/without reduction)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD -2.41 [-7.78, 2.96]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Systemic antibiotics without surgical intervention (with or without analgesics) vs Matched placebo without surgical intervention (with or without analgesics)
Outcome NR · Adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (2024) · Cochrane
We found no studies comparing systemic antibiotics versus a matched placebo provided without a surgical intervention.0 studiesNo studies
Intralesional steroid injections vs Alternative medicinal treatments
Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · 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 -0.06 [-10.64, 10.52]2 studies · 58 participantsVery low
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment
Improvement in range of jaw movement · 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
The trials did not measure range of jaw movement.0 studiesNo studies
Superelastic NiTi arch wire vs Multistrand stainless steel 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
Cobb 1998 measured time to alignment but reported results only as graphs, with no numerical data1 studyUngraded
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Facemask only
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 -0.15 [-0.94, 0.64]2 studies · 60 participantsLow
Intralesional dexamethasone injections vs Placebo injections
Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · 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 -52.00 [-62.04, -41.96]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Facemask with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) vs Modified tandem appliance
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 2.28 [1.35, 3.21]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
NiTi arch wire of one cross-sectional size vs NiTi arch wire of a different cross-sectional size
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
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy)
Frequency of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (3 months), Myofascial pain TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 1.50 [0.32, 6.94]1 study · 18 participantsVery low
Thermoelastic copper NiTi (CuNiTi) arch wire vs Conventional NiTi arch wire
Time to alignment (alignment rate ratio) · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 6 months
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
HR 1.30 [0.68, 2.50]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Surgery plus Heister jaw opener vs Surgery plus wooden tongue depressors
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 0.92 [0.28, 1.56]1 study · 50 participantsVery low
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)
Range of mandibular motion · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (6 weeks), Myofascial pain TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD 1.40 [-7.19, 9.99]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded