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
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination
Assessment of the alignment of the lower front teeth using any method or index · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front…
Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane
No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the…0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Mean change in health-related quality of life or participant-expressed satisfaction with the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
HAART regimen + topical treatment vs HAART regimen alone
Adverse effects of long‐term use of available topical agents · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Non-surgical interventions vs Surgical interventions
Outcome NR · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
Non-surgical versus surgical interventions: no trials.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3%
Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain 72 hours to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Patient satisfaction and pain experience during extraction of the primary canine · Children with palatally displaced maxillary canines (at least 80% aged 10 to 13 years); trials with craniofacial… · At least 6 months follow-up after the intervention
Extraction of primary (baby) teeth for unerupted palatally displaced permanent canine teeth in children (2012) · Cochrane
Neither trial reported the outcome of pain, or patient satisfaction.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1% with chlorhexidine 2% final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1% with normal saline final rinse
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain up to 6 hours after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Chlorhexidine 0.2% vs Normal saline
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain 72 hours to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo
Pain relief · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline
Proportion of participants or samples with positive bacterial growth culture, up to 72 hours after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Any topical or systemic intervention vs Placebo, no treatment, or another intervention
Outcome NR · People with erosive anogenital (genital) lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; no evidence was found for genital ELP.0 studiesNo studies
Topical thalidomide vs Another topical agent or placebo
Pain relief · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
Duration to heal oral ulcerations after initiation of treatment · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Laser therapy
Outcome NR · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
The review noted the noticeable absence of evidence for laser therapy; no eligible RCT evaluated it (Discussion).0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% vs Normal saline
Mean change in health-related quality of life or participant-expressed satisfaction with the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Any topical or systemic intervention (topical/systemic steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, retinoids, anti-malarials, biologics, phototherapy, surgery) vs Placebo, no treatment, another active intervention, or a different dose of the same intervention
Eating a normally varied diet · People of any age with erosive lichen planus affecting the oral, anogenital, and/or oesophageal regions
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% vs Normal saline
Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo
Duration to heal oral ulcerations after initiation of treatment · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Betamethasone (systemic corticosteroid) vs Placebo or no treatment
Outcome NR · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Table 1 (Systemic agents used in the management of aphthous stomatitis): 'Studies of these corticosteroids were not found or included in the review but are included here for completeness. They are not given orally for…0 studiesNo studies
Chlorhexidine 0.2% vs Normal saline
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
HAART regimen + topical treatment vs HAART regimen alone
Healing of ulceration · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3%
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Incidence or prevalence of root resorption of the impacted canine and/or incisors and cyst formation · Children with palatally displaced maxillary canines (at least 80% aged 10 to 13 years); trials with craniofacial… · At least 6 months follow-up after the intervention
Extraction of primary (baby) teeth for unerupted palatally displaced permanent canine teeth in children (2012) · Cochrane
Root resorption of the impacted canine and/or incisors and cyst formation was not reported by either included trial.0 studiesNo studies
Topical thalidomide vs Another topical agent or placebo
Incidence and recurrence after healing of ulcers · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Any topical or systemic intervention (topical/systemic steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, retinoids, anti-malarials, biologics, phototherapy, surgery) vs Placebo, no treatment, another active intervention, or a different dose of the same intervention
Restoration of sexual activity · People of any age with erosive lichen planus affecting the oral, anogenital, and/or oesophageal regions
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; thus, this outcome was not reported.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel)
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain up to 6 hours after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1% with chlorhexidine 2% final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1% with normal saline final rinse
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
Healing of ulceration · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain up to 6 hours after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo
Healing of ulceration · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Beclometasone dipropionate (systemic corticosteroid) vs Placebo or no treatment
Outcome NR · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Table 1: 'Studies of these corticosteroids were not found or included in the review but are included here for completeness.' No trial of beclometasone dipropionate for RAS was identified.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
Pain relief · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo
Incidence and recurrence after healing of ulcers · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies
Any topical or systemic intervention (topical/systemic steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, retinoids, anti-malarials, biologics, phototherapy, surgery) vs Placebo, no treatment, another active intervention, or a different dose of the same intervention
Reduction in number of flares · People of any age with erosive lichen planus affecting the oral, anogenital, and/or oesophageal regions
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel)
Mean change in health-related quality of life or participant-expressed satisfaction with the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
Mean change in health-related quality of life or participant-expressed satisfaction with the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
Proportion of participants or samples with positive bacterial growth culture, up to 72 hours after the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or…
Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
Adverse effects of long‐term use of available topical agents · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers
Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane
No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6…0 studiesNo studies