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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first. Each row links to its question's own page, which gathers every review that asked it, however worded; see the questions asked by more than one review.

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
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 -0.05 [-0.41, 0.30]1 study · 41 participantsVery low
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 1.44 [0.65, 3.19]2 studies · 248 participantsUngraded
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 3.60 [2.68, 4.52]5 studies · 197 participantsUngraded
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 -3.60 [-5.17, -2.03]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Joint pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term, Osteoarthritis / mixed TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 1.87 [0.57, 6.07]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Pain day 1 · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 7 to 14 days
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
MD 2.68 [-1.38, 6.75]2 studies · 127 participantsLow
Recurrence rate · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
Listed in Summary of findings 1 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. Recurrence rate was not reported in any included study across the whole review.0 studiesNo studies
Swelling 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
No data available for this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Percussion pain 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
MD 0.09 [-0.44, 0.62]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
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 0.22 [-0.68, 1.12]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
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 3.81 [3.24, 4.38]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Severity 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
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 5 to 10 weeks
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Conventional NiTi vs superelastic NiTi (O'Brien 1990; Ong 2011); not pooled due to clinical heterogeneity; little or no difference in alignment rate2 studies · 124 participantsLow
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 -0.75 [-1.49, -0.01]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Muscle pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (mean 4.4 weeks), Myofascial pain TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.19 [-1.25, 0.87]1 study · 72 participantsVery low
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 5.38 [-2.24, 13.00]1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Mature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis and carious pulp exposure (treated with full pulpotomy) · >=12 months
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
OR 1.67 [0.59, 4.72]2 studies · 70 participantsUngraded
Severity of joint noise · 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
Difficulty in mouth opening (participant-reported proxy) · 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
OR 0.00 [0.00, 0.02]1 study · 100 participantsUngraded
Frequency of joint noise · 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
Discomfort · 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
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 0.78 [0.46, 1.34]4 studies · 611 participantsUngraded
Difficulty in swallowing (participant-reported proxy) · 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
OR 0.24 [0.10, 0.60]2 studies · 220 participantsUngraded
Self-reported joint pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (10 weeks), Mixed TMD
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
RR 1.88 [0.94, 3.75]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 8 to 12 weeks
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Superelastic NiTi (Sentalloy) vs TiNbTaZr (Gummetal) (Nordstrom 2018); LII change over 8 to 12 weeks; no clear difference (ANOVA P=0.6938)1 study · 28 participantsUngraded
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 4.87 [4.53, 5.20]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
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 1.29 [0.16, 2.42]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 8 weeks
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Four-arm study of different coated superelastic NiTi wires (Ulhaq 2017); reduction in LII over 8 weeks; no difference between the four groups (ANOVA P=0.627)1 studyUngraded
Alignment rate · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 6 weeks to 6 months
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
Multistrand StSt versus other materials (conventional StSt, superelastic NiTi, thermoelastic NiTi); alignment rate not pooled due to clinical heterogeneity (Cobb 1998; Evans 1998; Quintao 2005; West 1995); results…4 studies · 281 participantsVery low
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 -1.85 [-3.18, -0.52]1 study · 26 participantsUngraded
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 -0.35 [-0.78, 0.07]4 studies · 143 participantsLow
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 8.61 [-4.52, 21.74]3 studies · 98 participantsVery low
Enamel mineral content · Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment · 1 day, 2 months, and 6 months after bonding, Fixed orthodontic treatment
Can Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Inhibit the Formation and Development of White Spot Lesions During Fixed… (2024)
There were no significant differences in enamel mineral content between the experimental group and control group at all time points.1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
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 1.02 [0.43, 2.43]3 studies · 109 participantsUngraded
Pain day 1 · People receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (upper and/or lower full arch) · 7 days
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (2024) · Cochrane
MD 6.96 [1.82, 12.10]3 studies · 94 participantsModerate
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 -46.00 [-53.44, -38.56]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Somatisation · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term, Disc displacement with reduction (DDwR)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane
MD -0.18 [-0.45, 0.09]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
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 [1.02, 2.58]1 study · 106 participantsLow
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 0.28 [-1.08, 1.64]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
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 -16.30 [-28.15, -4.45]1 study · 28 participantsVery low
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
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
Singh 2010 (hydrocortisone+hyaluronidase 50 vs triamcinolone+hyaluronidase 50): mouth opening reported categorically (trismus) rather than as continuous data, precluding quantitative analysis; authors found no…1 study · 100 participantsUngraded
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 -0.11 [-1.29, 1.07]1 study · 34 participantsUngraded
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 0.96 [-0.12, 2.04]4 studies · 136 participantsVery low
Number of paracetamol (acetaminophen) with codeine 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 -0.31 [-3.94, 3.32]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
ANB · 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 1.77 [1.58, 1.96]1 study · 38 participantsUngraded
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
Sudarshan 2012 (topical aloe vera 10 vs antioxidant capsules 10): reported improvement in interincisal distance but no baseline data, so change could not be determined; excluded from meta-analysis.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Severity of oral/mucosal burning pain/sensation · 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
Rajendran 2006 concluded the intervention reduced pain, but pain intensity evaluations were inadequately defined and from interview data, making mean scores difficult to interpret.1 study · 29 participantsUngraded
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 0.55 [-0.40, 1.50]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
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 5.54 [4.40, 6.68]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded