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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.
1,344 questions in 217 reviews · Oral Health
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Quality of root-end filling (retrograde/surgical treatment) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Cessation of water fluoridation (fluoride removed from the water supply) vs Continued fluoridated water Change in proportion of caries-free children (deciduous or permanent teeth) · People of all ages in a previously fluoridated community (Maupome 2001: children with generally low caries experience) Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries (2015) · Cochrane | No evidence to determine the effect of the cessation of water fluoridation on the proportion of caries-free children. | 0 studies | No studies |
Preformed crown (any material; conventional technique or Hall Technique) vs No treatment Outcome NR · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | Crown versus no treatment was a planned comparison (Comparison 2: crown versus no crown or filling). No study evaluated crown versus no treatment; the only study in this comparison (Santamaria 2014) used active… | 0 studies | No studies |
Preformed metal crown (fitted using the Hall Technique) vs Non-restorative caries treatment Pain · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | Pain: No evidence available (Summary of findings 2). | 0 studies | No studies |
Preformed crown (any material; conventional technique or Hall Technique) vs Filling (any material; with or without complete carious tissue excavation; with or without pulp treatment) Time to restoration failure/retreatment · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | The studies did not measure this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Participant satisfaction · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included studies addressed participant satisfaction (review-wide gap). | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Mucosal irritation / oral soft-tissue allergic reaction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Direct and indirect costs to participants and health services · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included studies addressed direct and indirect costs to participants and health services (review-wide gap). | 0 studies | No studies |
Root canal medications and canal filling, splinting, extraction of teeth, or surgical removal of any relevant pathology vs Each other, placebo, or no treatment Outcome NR · Patients with single and multiple permanent teeth with evidence of any type of external root resorption irrespective… · Any follow-up period Interventions for the management of external root resorption (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and therefore no data analysis was conducted. (Main results: no RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were identified; one ongoing study, NCT00423956, potentially… | 0 studies | No studies |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Participant and operator perception · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported on participant or operator perception | 0 studies | No studies |
Fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment incorporating surgically assisted orthodontics (adjunctive surgical procedure: corticotomy, micro-osteoperforation or interseptal bone reduction) to increase the rate of tooth movement vs Conventional treatment: fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment without surgical assistance Patient satisfaction (measured using validated questionnaires or scales) · Individuals of any age receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (braces) (people requiring orthodontic… Surgical adjunctive procedures for accelerating orthodontic treatment (2015) · Cochrane | Results: 'Our prespecified secondary outcomes of patient satisfaction, improvement in occlusion, and prolonged stability of treatment were not measured in the trials.' | 0 studies | No studies |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Costs (direct treatment costs; indirect costs / time off school or work) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported on costs for micro-invasive treatment or non-invasive control | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care) Outcome NR · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | There were no trials on other products containing chlorhexidine such as sprays, toothpastes, chewing gums or mouthrinses. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoridated milk vs Non-fluoridated milk Requirement for general anaesthesia due to dental procedures for caries · General population, irrespective of age or level of risk for dental caries Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries (2015) · Cochrane | No evidence found. (No information was reported by the included study.) | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Number of days in hospital (duration of hospitalisation) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Duration of hospitalisation (days) - 'No studies assessed this outcome'. | 0 studies | No studies |
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers) Removal of broken (fractured) instruments from the root canal · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Preformed metal crown (fitted using the Hall Technique) vs Non-restorative caries treatment Time to restoration failure/retreatment · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | The studies did not measure this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers) Total time required to complete the clinical procedure · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed procedure time; such outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Fluoridated milk vs Non-fluoridated milk Dental pain due to decay · General population, irrespective of age or level of risk for dental caries Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries (2015) · Cochrane | No evidence found. (No information was reported by the included study.) | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine gel (0.12%) vs No treatment Pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction or costs · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | Neither of these trials reported on the other secondary outcomes such as measures of pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction or direct and indirect costs of interventions. | 0 studies | No studies |
Transplantation of other teeth after extraction of the ankylosed teeth vs Conventional orthodontic treatment or follow-up with no specific treatment for ankylosis Outcome NR · Any patient with ankylosis and displacement of permanent front teeth diagnosed by clinical and radiographic… Interventions for treating traumatised ankylosed permanent front teeth (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment incorporating surgically assisted orthodontics (adjunctive surgical procedure: corticotomy, micro-osteoperforation or interseptal bone reduction) to increase the rate of tooth movement vs Conventional treatment: fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment without surgical assistance Prolonged stability of treatment (adjudged using an accepted scale) · Individuals of any age receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (braces) (people requiring orthodontic… Surgical adjunctive procedures for accelerating orthodontic treatment (2015) · Cochrane | Results: 'Our prespecified secondary outcomes of patient satisfaction, improvement in occlusion, and prolonged stability of treatment were not measured in the trials.' | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoridated milk vs Non-fluoridated milk Antibiotics due to dental infections · General population, irrespective of age or level of risk for dental caries Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries (2015) · Cochrane | No evidence found. (No information was reported by the included study.) | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Tooth staining · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported on staining of tooth surfaces (not even Gisselsson 1999, the only trial testing stannous fluoride). | 0 studies | No studies |
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers) Repair of root perforations · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Change in decayed, missing and filled (DMF/dmf) figures at surface, tooth and whole mouth level · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | No studies reported on caries measured as change in decayed, missing and filled (DMF/dmf) figures at surface, tooth or whole mouth level | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Quality of life · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Quality of life - 'No studies assessed this outcome'. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Interruptions to cancer treatment (incidence) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers) Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 2 (melphalan/HSCT): Interruptions to cancer treatment - 'No studies assessed this outcome'. | 0 studies | No studies |
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown) Periodontal health status · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane | No data were reported nor measured by the study. The abstract confirms no evidence was available for any secondary outcome. | NR | No studies |
Single full-coverage metal-ceramic crown over composite core and post vs Direct adhesive composite restoration with post (conventional filling, no crown) Incidence or recurrence of caries (assessed clinically or by radiographs) · People with a permanent tooth that has undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root‐filled teeth (2015) · Cochrane | No data were reported nor measured by the study. The abstract confirms no evidence was available for any secondary outcome. | NR | No studies |
Cessation of water fluoridation (fluoride removed from the water supply) vs Continued fluoridated water Caries in deciduous teeth (dmft/dmfs) · People of all ages in a previously fluoridated community (Maupome 2001: children with generally low caries experience) Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries (2015) · Cochrane | No evidence to determine the effect of the cessation of water fluoridation on caries in deciduous teeth. No included study reported change in dmft following cessation. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine spray vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care) Outcome NR · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | There were no trials on other products containing chlorhexidine such as sprays, toothpastes, chewing gums or mouthrinses. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine toothpaste vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care) Outcome NR · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | There were no trials on other products containing chlorhexidine such as sprays, toothpastes, chewing gums or mouthrinses. | 0 studies | No studies |
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Repair of root perforations · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers) Quality of visualisation of root canal anatomy and morphology · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Endodontic therapy (surgical or non-surgical) performed with the aid of one or more magnification devices (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs The same endodontic therapy performed without magnification devices (without visual enhancers) Treatment success (resolution of clinical signs and symptoms with periapical radiographic healing) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment · >=1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and therefore no data analysis was conducted (three potentially eligible trials were identified from 1234 records; all were excluded). | NR | No studies |
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Total time required to complete the clinical procedure · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed procedure time. In the excluded trial Taschieri 2008, based on the operators' experience, completing the surgical procedure took on average four to five minutes longer for the endoscope than… | NR | No studies |
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Treatment success (resolution of clinical signs and symptoms with periapical radiographic healing) · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment · >=1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria; the only trial comparing three magnification devices (Taschieri 2008) was excluded, so no data analysis was conducted. | NR | No studies |
Barrier techniques (gloves/plasters) vs No treatment Outcome NR · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | There were no studies that looked at barrier techniques or pacifier withdrawal. | 0 studies | No studies |
Sedation (sedative agents administered via any route) vs General anaesthesia Outcome NR · Children and adolescents younger than 18 years having dental treatment (fillings, pulp treatment or tooth extraction);… Sedation versus general anaesthesia for provision of dental treatment to patients younger than 18 years (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Preformed metal crown (fitted using the Hall Technique) vs Non-restorative caries treatment Satisfaction with treatment · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | Satisfaction with treatment: No evidence available (Summary of findings 2). | 0 studies | No studies |
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Quality of visualisation of root canal anatomy and morphology · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Endodontic therapy performed with one type of magnification device (surgical microscope, endoscope or magnifying loupes) vs Endodontic therapy performed with a different type of magnification device Removal of broken (fractured) instruments from the root canal · Patients of any age who received endodontic therapy and were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment Magnification devices for endodontic therapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included study assessed this outcome; the review notes that such secondary outcomes were only sporadically reported and were never statistically assessed. | NR | No studies |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration) vs Conventional invasive treatment (restoration / drill and fill) Outcome NR · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | No studies compared micro-invasive treatments with invasive treatment (fillings) | 0 studies | No studies |
Preformed metal crown (fitted using the Hall Technique) vs Preformed metal crown (fitted using a conventional technique) Outcome NR · Children with decayed primary molar teeth Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth (2015) · Cochrane | None of the included studies compared the effectiveness or safety of the Hall Technique versus the conventional technique of fitting a crown. No RCT evidence found. | 0 studies | No studies |
Any intervention for KCOT (e.g. enucleation), alone or combined with an adjunctive therapy (ostectomy, cryotherapy, or Carnoy's solution) vs A different intervention (e.g. enucleation versus marsupialisation), or the same surgical intervention without the adjunctive therapy Outcome NR · Adults over the age of 18 with a validated diagnosis of solitary keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) arising in… Interventions for the treatment of keratocystic odontogenic tumours (2015) · Cochrane | No randomised controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria were identified. In view of the fact that no studies were identified, no data were available for analysis. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction or costs · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | No trials reported on pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction or costs. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Normalcy of diet (days of total parenteral nutrition, TPN) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Normalcy of diet (days of total parenteral nutrition) - 'No studies assessed this outcome'. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Number of days unable to take medicine orally · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No studies reported the number of days unable to take medicine orally (whole review). | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) whole teeth (d(m)ft), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (mostly preschool children aged under 6 years) · Nearest to 3 years Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | There were no data on d(m)ft available. | 0 studies | No studies |