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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. 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
Ultrasonic instrumentation used alone (any ultrasonic device designed specifically for root canal treatment and capable of the active or passive removal of dentine within the root canal) vs Hand instrumentation used alone (files and reamers used manually)
Outcome NR · People over 18 years of age with single or multiple permanent teeth with a completely formed apex and no evidence of…
Hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment of permanent teeth (2008) · Cochrane
No eligible randomised controlled trials were identified.NRNo studies
Instrumental assessment: nasalance score (nasometry and pressure-flow measure) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic…
Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane
Nasalance score by nasometry and pressure-flow measure: the single included trial (Ysunza 2001) provided no data for this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Number of individuals who developed new extraoral lesions after administration; duration of extraoral lesions · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) · After administration
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
RR 0.04 [0.00, 0.65]1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Probing (pocket) depth change (difference in mean reduction, mm) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · 2 years
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
MD 0.04 [-0.19, 0.27]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Self-esteem (validated questionnaires) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic…
Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane
No data were available for this patient-reported outcome in the single included trial.0 studiesNo studies
Instrumental assessment: velopharyngeal complete closure and gap size (videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… · 3 months post-operatively
Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane
Complete closure occurred in 32 (86%) of the participants in group 1 (MIPP) and in 31 (89%) in group 2, P > 0.05. After eliminating the nine patients with residual velopharyngeal insufficiency, the post-operative gap…1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Number of individuals with eating difficulties (8 days after administration); duration of eating difficulties · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) · 8 days after administration
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.03, 0.58]1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Tooth loss · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · Minimum 3 months (planned)
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Hand instrumentation in conjunction with (as an adjunct to) an ultrasonic device designed specifically for root canal treatment and capable of the active or passive removal of dentine within the root canal vs Hand instrumentation used alone (files and reamers used manually)
Outcome NR · People over 18 years of age with single or multiple permanent teeth with a completely formed apex and no evidence of…
Hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment of permanent teeth (2008) · Cochrane
No eligible randomised controlled trials were identified.NRNo studies
Number of individuals with drinking difficulties (8 days after administration); duration of drinking difficulties · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) · 8 days after administration
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
RR 0.11 [0.01, 0.83]1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Tooth loss · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · Minimum 3 months (planned)
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Clinical attachment level change (mean gain, mm) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · 2 years
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
MD 0.40 [0.05, 0.75]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Number of individuals admitted to hospital after administration · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) · After administration
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.67]1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Fever (duration; time to return to normal temperature) · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis)
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
Amir 1997b: fever disappeared significantly earlier with acyclovir (median 1 day) than placebo (median 3 days); difference in median (95% CI): From 72: 1 (0.0 to 2.0); From 61: 2 (0.8 to 3.2); reported as median, not…2 studiesUngraded
One type of occlusal intervention as an adjunct to periodontal therapy vs A different type of occlusal intervention as an adjunct to periodontal therapy (head-to-head)
Outcome NR · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · Minimum 3 months (planned)
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal intervention as an adjunct to periodontal therapy vs Sham (placebo) occlusal intervention as an adjunct to periodontal therapy
Outcome NR · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · Minimum 3 months (planned)
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Perceptual speech assessment: residual post-operative velopharyngeal insufficiency · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… · 3 months post-operatively
Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane
Five (14%) of the participants in group 1 (MIPP) and four (11%) in group 2 had residual post-operative velopharyngeal insufficiency, P > 0.05. The report provided no details on post-operative speech assessment other…1 study · 72 participantsUngraded
Pain/discomfort (time to resolution of pain) · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis)
Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane
Amir 1997b: no data available. Ducoulombier 1988: time to resolution of pain, acyclovir (1 day=1, 2 days=1, 3 days=3, 4 days=3, 5 days=1, persistent=0) vs placebo (1 day=0, 2 days=0, 3 days=1, 4 days=2, 5 days=4,…1 study · 18 participantsUngraded
Probing (pocket) depth change (difference in mean reduction, mm) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · 2 years
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
MD 0.01 [-0.20, 0.22]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Clinical attachment level change (mean gain, mm) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis · 2 years
Occlusal interventions for periodontitis in adults (2008) · Cochrane
MD 0.38 [0.04, 0.72]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Maintenance of pulp vitality (freedom from pulpal breakdown) up to 36 months · Healthy adults with asymptomatic posterior permanent teeth with deep caries and a vital (non-exposed) pulp requiring… · 36 months
Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane
Whitworth 2005: 602 teeth randomised; 39 emergency recalls over the 36 months after restoration, with pulp breakdown associated with 16 teeth. The authors concluded that "dentists should be confident that pulps will be…1 study · 602 participantsUngraded
Total sleep time (min) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD -8.60 [-96.17, 78.97]1 studyUngraded
Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 2.27 [0.23, 22.56]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.69 [0.47, 1.01]8 studies · 382 participantsUngraded
Sleep efficiency (%) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD -2.40 [-8.36, 3.56]1 studyUngraded
Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.46 [0.18, 1.23]2 studies · 48 participantsUngraded
Empirical antifungal treatment · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.5 [0.05, 5.43]1 study · 202 participantsUngraded
Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.65 [0.37, 1.14]6 studies · 1041 participantsUngraded
Relief of dysphagia · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this reviewNRNo studies
Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months
Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane
Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,…1 study · 275 participantsUngraded
Prefabricated metal post and core (Category II) vs Metal custom-cast post and core (Category I)
Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned)
Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane
No included trial compared metal-cast posts with prefabricated metal posts (a planned primary comparison); no eligible study identified.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological interventions (benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, beta blockers, dopamine agents, antidepressants, botulinum toxin A and B, analgesics)
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Pharmacological interventions remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with any drug; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Empirical antifungal treatment · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.73, 0.99]2 studies · 465 participantsUngraded
Pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus TENS, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable.1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Behaviour therapy (sleep hygiene, relaxation, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback)
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Behaviour therapy remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with behaviour therapy; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Comfort (visual analogue scale) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Landry 2006): occlusal splint 79 mm, MAD free 41 mm, MAD min 15 mm, MAD max 12 mm; the occlusal splint was rated most comfortable.1 studyUngraded
Awakenings per hour · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 0.40 [-2.51, 3.31]1 studyUngraded
Metal post of one alloy type vs Metal post of a different alloy type
Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned)
Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane
No included trial evaluated alloy type in metal posts (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified.0 studiesNo studies
Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
1 study (Huijgens 1999); no evidence of a difference; single-study total not pooled1 studyUngraded
Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.38 [0.15, 1.0]1 study · 106 participantsUngraded
Clicks in TMJ on oral opening and closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.60 [0.19, 1.92]1 studyUngraded
Increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · children (age 3 to 5 years)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15]1 studyUngraded
Arousal index · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 1.22 [-3.61, 6.05]2 studies · 39 participantsUngraded
Duration of stay in hospital (days) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this reviewNRNo studies
Clinical success (absence of periapical pathology, tenderness to pressure and fistula formation) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic vital pulpal exposures from caries · 24 months
Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane
Hodosh 2003 (Analysis 3.1): all 18 patients receiving KNO3/DMI/PCa responded favourably (0/18 developed clinical symptoms) versus 9/17 in the KNO3/PCa group; symptomatic teeth required endodontic therapy or extraction.…1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Clicks in TMJ on oral opening or closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 1.00 [0.33, 3.02]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Placebo
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Placebo remained a planned comparator in the review methods (Types of interventions), but none of the five included trials compared occlusal splint with placebo; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Episodes with grinding noise · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 0.90 [-10.19, 11.99]1 studyUngraded
Sleep bruxism episodes per hour of sleep · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · MAD in 75% advancement (MAD max)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 5.91 studyUngraded
Death associated with fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane
RR 1.44 [0.14, 15.43]3 studies · 718 participantsUngraded