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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.
148 questions in 20 reviews · Periodontology
current versionsNo studies 148 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone Tooth loss · 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 | Not measured | 0 studies | No studies |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone Tooth loss · 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 | Not measured | 0 studies | No studies |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone Adverse events · 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 | Not measured | 0 studies | No studies |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Clinical attachment loss · 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 | Not measured | 0 studies | No studies |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Change in radiographic bone defect filling (RBF) (%) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · All follow-ups Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | No RBF (radiographic bone defect filling) data were available for the APC + GTR versus GTR comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) alone Oral health-related quality of life · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | No quantitative analysis regarding patients' quality of life was possible (no data). | 0 studies | No studies |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Adverse events · 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 | Not measured | 0 studies | No studies |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Attachment change · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Participant satisfaction · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Tooth loss · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Costs (NHS perspective) · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Pre-eclampsia · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Pre-eclampsia: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Maternal mortality · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Maternal mortality: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Adverse effects of therapy · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Adverse effects of therapy: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Small for gestational age · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Small for gestational age: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Powered toothbrush (any mode of action) vs Manual toothbrush Cost (relative cost of powered vs manual) · Individuals of any age with no reported disability that might affect toothbrushing (including people wearing… Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health (2014) · Cochrane | None of the included trials reported on the relative costs of manual compared with powered toothbrushes. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed bad breath as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed caries as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed bad breath as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Quality of life · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Quality of life · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed caries as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (clinical attachment loss) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed periodontitis as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (clinical attachment loss) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed clinical attachment loss, a measure of progression of periodontitis. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Economic and resource cost of flossing · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not reported. No included study measured the economic or resource cost of flossing; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Clinical attachment loss · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). SoF comment reads (verbatim) 'No included study assessed calculus as an outcome' (apparent copy-paste typo in the clinical attachment loss row; no study assessed clinical attachment loss). | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not reported. No included study measured halitosis; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Calculus · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed calculus as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Quality of life · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ionic powered toothbrush vs Powered toothbrush with a different mode of action Outcome NR · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Ionic: no included trials investigated this brush type (Table 3, 'Interventions used in included trials'). | NR | No studies |
Enamel matrix derivative (EMD; Emdogain) vs Various bone grafting (BG) procedures (animal-derived or synthetic bone / bioactive ceramic filler) Aesthetics · Patients affected by chronic, aggressive, or early onset periodontitis, with intrabony defects having an intrabony… · 1 year (time-points 1, 5 and 10 years planned) Enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) for periodontal tissue regeneration in intrabony defects (2009) · Cochrane | Aesthetics: no trial evaluated this. | 0 studies | No studies |
Enamel matrix derivative (EMD; Emdogain) vs Various bone grafting (BG) procedures (animal-derived or synthetic bone / bioactive ceramic filler) Change in marginal (radiographic) bone level · Patients affected by chronic, aggressive, or early onset periodontitis, with intrabony defects having an intrabony… · 1 year (time-points 1, 5 and 10 years planned) Enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) for periodontal tissue regeneration in intrabony defects (2009) · Cochrane | Radiographic bone level: no trial evaluated this. | 0 studies | No studies |
Enamel matrix derivative (EMD; Emdogain) vs Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barriers Aesthetics · Patients affected by chronic, aggressive, or early onset periodontitis, with intrabony defects having an intrabony… · 1 year (time-points 1, 5 and 10 years planned) Enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) for periodontal tissue regeneration in intrabony defects (2009) · Cochrane | SoF (Emdogain vs GTR): Aesthetics - See comment; 0 [0]; No studies reported this. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to surgical periodontal therapy vs Surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) Patient acceptability of treatment and its side effects · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to surgical periodontal therapy vs Surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) Adverse effects (e.g. thermal sensitivity, over-eruption, TMJ symptoms, poor aesthetics, reduced oral hygiene) · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy vs Non-surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) Patient acceptability of treatment and its side effects · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Systemic oral acyclovir vs Placebo or no treatment Direct costs (medication, hospital bed days) · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane | No data available in either included study. | NR | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to surgical periodontal therapy vs Surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy vs Non-surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy vs Non-surgical periodontal therapy alone (no occlusal adjustment) Adverse effects (e.g. thermal sensitivity, over-eruption, TMJ symptoms, poor aesthetics, reduced oral hygiene) · 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
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 extracted | 0 studies | No 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Systemic oral acyclovir vs Placebo or no treatment Quality of life (assessed by a validated questionnaire) · Children and young adults under 25 years with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (with or without herpes labialis) Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (2008) · Cochrane | No data were available in either included study (Amir 1997b; Ducoulombier 1988). | NR | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Aesthetics (patient's opinion) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Cost/benefit (treatment time plus estimated material costs) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Disease recurrence (% sites with >=2 mm loss of probing attachment from 12 months after treatment) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Ease of maintenance (% of sites with <4 mm probing depth) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |