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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. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

142 questions in 28 reviews · cluster CL0290

current versions
No studies 24 · 16.9%Ungraded 78 · 54.9%Very low 22 · 15.5%Low 7 · 4.9%Moderate 6 · 4.2%High 5 · 3.5%

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
Periodontal treatment (subgingival instrumentation, with or without antimicrobials/surgery) vs No active intervention/usual care
Gingival index (GI) · People with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2, mostly type 2) and periodontitis, at least 16 years of age · 3-4 months
Treatment of periodontitis for glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus (2022) · Cochrane
SMD -1.75 [-2.27, -1.24]12 studiesUngraded
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Gingivitis measured by any validated index · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
No studies measured gingivitis (by any validated index).0 studiesNo studies
Periodontal treatment (subgingival instrumentation, with or without antimicrobials/surgery) vs No active intervention/usual care
Bleeding on probing (BOP) · People with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2, mostly type 2) and periodontitis, at least 16 years of age · 3-4 months
Treatment of periodontitis for glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus (2022) · Cochrane
MD -15.56 [-21.77, -9.36]14 studiesUngraded
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances
Gingival index (GI) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment · 18 months, Adolescents
Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021)
MD -0.57 [-0.93, -0.21]1 studyUngraded
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances
Gingival index (GI) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 to 12 weeks, Adults
Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021)
MD -0.10 [-0.35, 0.15]1 studyUngraded
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances
Bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 to 12 weeks, Adults
Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021)
MD -0.26 [-0.77, 0.26]2 studies · 62 participantsVery low
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances
Simplified gingival index (s-GI) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment · 1 month, Adolescents
Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021)
MD -8.46 [-10.47, -6.45]1 studyUngraded
Intensive periodontal treatment (subgingival SRP with or without other periodontal treatment) vs Supra-gingival scaling
Bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension · Long term, People diagnosed with periodontitis
Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane
MD -0.40 [-0.45, -0.35]1 studyUngraded
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances
Full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment · 12 months, Adolescents
Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021)
MD -20.44 [-22.98, -17.90]1 studyUngraded
Periodontal treatment (subgingival SRP with or without other periodontal treatment) vs No treatment (no periodontal treatment)
Bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension · Long term, People diagnosed with periodontitis and other cardiovascular diseases except hypertension
Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane
MD -36.80 [-46.47, -27.13]1 study · 48 participantsUngraded
Intensive periodontal treatment (subgingival SRP with or without other periodontal treatment) vs Supra-gingival scaling
Bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension · Short term, People diagnosed with periodontitis
Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane
MD -0.42 [-0.47, -0.37]1 studyUngraded
Self-ligating brackets vs Conventional brackets
Harms (discomfort, periodontal/gingival health, root resorption) · Children or adolescents (aged 16 years old or under) receiving orthodontic treatment to prevent or correct crowded teeth · up to 9 months
Orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth in children (2021) · Cochrane
No evidence of differences between self-ligating and conventional brackets for discomfort (Atik 2014, Miles 2010), plaque/gingival index and probing depth (Atik 2014), or maxillary incisor root resorption (Aras 2018).…3 studiesUngraded
Azithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -3.32 [-6.23, -0.42]6 studies · 228 participantsUngraded
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.00 [-0.09, 0.09]1 study · 21 participantsVery low
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.05 [-0.22, 0.12]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -6.90 [-22.10, 8.30]1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Periodontal disease: gingival bleeding (percentage of sites) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.07 [-4.10, 3.96]1 study · 279 participantsHigh
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -2.05 [-2.98, -1.11]13 studies · 460 participantsUngraded
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Surgical removal (extraction) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth vs Retention (conservative management) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Undesirable outcomes associated with removal (alveolar osteitis/postoperative infection, nerve injury, damage to adjacent teeth, bleeding, osteonecrosis, inflammation/infection) · Adolescents or adults with asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease‐free impacted wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
Undesirable outcomes associated with removal: Not measured. No included studies measured outcomes or adverse events associated with removal (alveolar osteitis/postoperative infection, nerve injury, damage to adjacent…0 studiesNo studies
Levofloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -1.38 [-3.30, 0.54]2 studies · 131 participantsUngraded
Clarithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -4.70 [-8.42, -0.98]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Periodontal disease: gingival bleeding (percentage of sites) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.78 [-1.17, 2.73]1 study · 1472 participantsHigh
Azithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -1.28 [-4.32, 1.76]2 studies · 110 participantsVery low
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 12-month recall
Periodontal disease · Regular-attending primary-care dental patients aged 3, 16 or 18 years at entry (aged up to 20; low caries risk) · 2 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
Summary of findings 1 lists 'Periodontal disease: Not reported' for the 24-month versus 12-month comparison (Wang 1992 did not measure it).0 studiesNo studies
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Periodontal disease: gingival bleeding (percentage of sites) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.91 [-5.02, 3.20]1 study · 271 participantsModerate
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -5.32 [-12.02, 1.37]5 studies · 172 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Periodontal disease: probing pocket depth (mm) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.03 [-0.12, 0.06]1 study · 270 participantsModerate
Cefixime + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.48 [-0.60, -0.37]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Doxycycline + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.01 [-0.21, 0.19]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Periodontal disease: probing pocket depth (mm) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.10 [0.01, 0.19]1 study · 279 participantsModerate
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs Clarithromycin + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD 4.00 [-1.09, 9.09]1 study · 46 participantsUngraded
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs Tetracycline + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -1.60 [-14.03, 10.83]1 study · 8 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Periodontal disease: probing pocket depth (mm) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.03 [-0.01, 0.07]1 study · 1463 participantsHigh
Metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -9.00 [-16.59, -1.40]4 studies · 108 participantsUngraded
Doxycycline + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Metronidazole + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD 4.46 [-23.48, 32.40]3 studies · 84 participantsUngraded
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.07 [-0.29, 0.15]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Moxifloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -3.40 [-3.72, -3.08]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -4.62 [-18.83, 9.58]2 studies · 45 participantsUngraded
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.10 [-0.19, -0.01]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Azithromycin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -3.18 [-7.01, 0.65]6 studies · 216 participantsUngraded
Levofloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.93 [-2.88, 1.02]2 studies · 131 participantsUngraded
Clindamycin + SRP vs Doxycycline + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Metronidazole + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD 20.85 [3.31, 38.39]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Doxycycline + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.09 [-0.29, 0.11]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -8.06 [-14.26, -1.85]2 studies · 389 participantsVery low
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Moxifloxacin + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.80 [-1.12, -0.48]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded