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. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

1,344 questions in 217 reviews · Oral Health

current versions
No studies 1,344 · 100%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 0 · 0%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Toothbrushing + 0.075% cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Toothbrushing
Adverse events · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse events: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for adverse events.0 studiesNo studies
Patient-used 5000 ppm F toothpaste, daily vs 1450 ppm F (conventional) toothpaste, daily
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 3. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Dental cavity liner (e.g. calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, or flowable composite) placed under the restoration vs No liner (resin-based composite bonded directly to the tooth)
Adverse events · Adults or children with a Class I or Class II resin-based composite restoration in a permanent posterior tooth
Dental cavity liners for Class I and Class II resin‐based composite restorations (2019) · Cochrane
None reported. No adverse events were reported in any of the included studies (0 studies contributed adverse-events data).0 studiesNo studies
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone
Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed periodontitis as an outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Professionally-applied 12,300 ppm F APF foam, every 2 months vs 0 ppm F placebo foam
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 2. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Systemic antibiotic (oral penicillin 500 mg) plus analgesic vs Placebo plus analgesic
Patient-reported pain relief · Adults over 18 years presenting with a single tooth with a clinical diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis
Antibiotic use for irreversible pulpitis (2019) · Cochrane
Patient-reported pain relief: Outcome not reported.NRNo studies
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing
Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed caries as an outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing
Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed caries as an outcome.0 studiesNo studies
0.3% triclosan + PVM/MA + sodium fluoride toothpaste vs Sodium fluoride (control) toothpaste
Adverse events · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse events: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for adverse events.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with device vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Presence or absence of gagging: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Oral hygiene interventions (mechanical plaque removal): knowledge-based, behavioural, or skills training for people with ID or their carers vs Usual care, no care, or a similar alternative intervention
Quality of life changes or long-term, patient-centred outcomes (e.g. tooth retention) · People with intellectual disabilities (ID), living at home, in day care, in hospital or in a residential care setting;…
Oral hygiene interventions for people with intellectual disabilities (2019) · Cochrane
No studies measured quality of life changes or long-term, patient-centred outcomes as formal outcomes; some studies commented on quality of life only in the discussion or conclusion sections.0 studiesNo studies
Professionally-applied 12,300 ppm F APF foam, every 2 months vs 0 ppm F placebo foam
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 2. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Antifibrinolytic therapy (tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid) vs Placebo, no intervention or usual care (with or without placebo)
Number of immediate (less than 24 hours) and delayed (24 hours to 10 days) postoperative bleeding episodes requiring intervention · People with haemophilia (A or B) undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions · Immediate (<24 h) and delayed (24 h to 10 days)
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease… (2019) · Cochrane
This outcome was not reported in either of the trials.0 studiesNo studies
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome (Lu 2000 did not report adverse events).0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Dento-occlusal results of treatment, measured with the PAR index · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
No data are available as no RCTs or CCTs have been conducted.0 studiesNo studies
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Adverse effects: pain following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Adverse effects: pain following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
Tooth- and tissue-supported removable partial denture: dual-impression technique with a different material vs An alternative dual-impression technique with a different material
Outcome NR · Partially edentulous people requiring a tooth- and tissue-supported (distal-extension) removable partial denture
Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane
We did not find any trials for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
Alginate (two stage-two step final/wash impression) vs Silicone elastomer (two stage-two step)
Number of border adjustments and sore spots after insertion of denture · Completely edentulous people
Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane
Not measured0 studiesNo studies
HP gel in tray vs Placebo
Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline…
Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane
Not reportedNRNo studies
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist)
Plaque · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental…
Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
HP mouthwash vs Placebo
Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline…
Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane
Not reportedNRNo studies
Single-stage alginate impression (simplified method) vs Two stage-two step zinc-oxide eugenol (ZoE) traditional method
Number of border adjustments and sore spots after insertion of denture · Completely edentulous people
Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane
Not measured0 studiesNo studies
Ball (stud) attachment system vs Telescopic attachment system
Prosthodontic success (specific categorization) · Edentulous adults receiving mandibular implant overdentures (opposing conventional complete maxillary dentures) · Short term (1 to 3 years)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: attachment systems for implant overdentures in edentulous jaws (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Participants' experience of the procedures · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
No data from the included studies were available.0 studiesNo studies
CP paint-on gel vs Placebo
Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline…
Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane
Not reportedNRNo studies
Antifibrinolytic therapy - locally-applied tranexamic acid (TXA) mouthwash/solution (SoF eligibility: TXA or EACA; all included trials used topical TXA) vs Placebo (placebo solution/mouthwash)
Number of thromboembolic complications · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and…
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Any surgical or non-surgical technique or material used for the treatment of post-extraction bleeding vs Another active intervention, placebo, or no treatment
Bleeding, as measured by: amount of blood loss; complete cessation of bleeding as assessed clinically by the investigator; time required for the control of bleeding · People of any age and either gender with post-extraction bleeding, regardless of type of teeth (anterior or posterior,…
Interventions for treating post‐extraction bleeding (2018) · Cochrane
No data are available as no RCTs have been conducted on interventions to treat post-extraction bleeding0 studiesNo studies
Surgical technique vs Non-surgical technique
Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Surgical technique vs No treatment
Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
SPT using one technique or appliance for mechanical root debridement vs SPT using a different technique or appliance for mechanical root debridement
Outcome NR · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Gingival and TMJ symptoms · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) vs Zinc oxide and propolis (ZOP)
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Listed as a pulpectomy comparison; no extractable outcome data reported in this version0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Quality of life · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth (removable, fixed, or functional braces, or headgear) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)
Side effects · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Chemical cured composite vs Conventional (chemical cured) glass ionomer cement
Decalcification · Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances attached to their teeth · To end of appliance treatment
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets (2018) · Cochrane
It was surprising that decalcification rates were not reported as a secondary outcome, as clinically it is suggested that GIC is protective against decalcification; the…0 studiesNo studies
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) vs Ciprofloxacin + ornidazole + minocycline
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Listed as a pulpectomy comparison; no extractable outcome data reported in this version0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Duration of treatment · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine
Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine
Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist)
Calculus · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental…
Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine
Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario…
Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane
SoF: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Placebo or usual care (control)
Progression of caries lesion through enamel or into dentine · Children with high risk of dental decay
Slow‐release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay (2018) · Cochrane
No evidence found0 studiesNo studies
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist)
Oral health-related quality of life · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental…
Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies