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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.

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
COE with blood/salivary (biomarker) analysis vs COE with vital rinsing (toluidine blue/tolonium chloride)
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies; planned comparative analysis (COE with vital rinse vs COE with blood/salivary analysis) not populated in this version.0 studiesNo studies
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Intermediate restorative material (IRM)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
ARP with allograft plus synthetic cell-binding peptide P-15 vs ARP with allograft without P-15
Implant failure rate · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) vs Histological validation (in vitro) or cavity preparation/biopsy (in vivo)
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection (any threshold) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces
Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Periodontal treatment (subgingival SRP with or without other periodontal treatment) vs No treatment (no periodontal treatment)
Proportion of participants diagnosed with hypertension at trial completion · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension
Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane
No included study reported the proportion of participants diagnosed with hypertension at trial completion.NRNo studies
Fixed tooth-borne expansion (Hyrax) vs Fixed tooth-tissue-borne expansion (Haas)
Canine expansion (inter-canine distance) · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or…
Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane
Not measured (SoF 5)0 studiesNo studies
Double primary (canine and first molar) tooth extraction vs Single primary (canine) tooth extraction
Costs / cost-effectiveness · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
The studies did not report cost-effectiveness.0 studiesNo studies
COE with blood/salivary (biomarker) analysis vs Conventional oral examination (COE) alone
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies; planned comparative analysis (COE vs COE with blood/salivary analysis) not populated in this version.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with allograft vs ARP with xenograft
Implant failure rate · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
ARP with alloplast plus barrier membrane vs ARP with alloplast without membrane
Need for additional augmentation prior to implant placement · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 9 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Double primary (canine and first molar) tooth extraction vs Single primary (canine) tooth extraction
Reported improvement in the position of the ectopic canine measured from radiographs · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Double primary (canine and first molar) tooth extraction vs Single primary (canine) tooth extraction
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including quality of life and pain · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Er:YAG laser (erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Outcome NR · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
We did not find any eligible study to evaluate erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) or carbon dioxide (CO2) laser compared with placebo/no treatment.0 studiesNo studies
Electrical conductance devices (electronic caries monitor (ECM) and/or CarieScan Pro), used as an adjunct to clinical oral examination vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual examination (with or without radiographs)
Outcome NR · Teeth with previously applied restorations (secondary caries) or pit and fissure sealants; target condition =… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies. 'No included studies reported inclusion criteria of previously applied restorations or pit and fissure sealants' (a planned subgroup).0 studiesNo studies
ARP with alloplast vs Extraction alone
Changes in bucco-lingual/palatal width of alveolar ridge (mm) · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
COE with light-based detection (e.g. ViziLite Plus, Microlux/DL, VELscope, Identafi 3000) vs Reference standard: examination and clinical evaluation by a physician/clinician with specialist knowledge or training (long-term follow-up accepted for those screened negative)
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
There were no eligible studies evaluating light-based detection.0 studiesNo studies
Direct composite resin restoration vs Amalgam restoration
Harms: allergic reaction · People with permanent or adult posterior teeth requiring restoration (parallel-group trials involved children aged 6…
Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent posterior teeth (2021) · Cochrane
We did not find any eligible studies that evaluated allergic reaction or injury (no studies reported on outcomes of relevance to allergic reaction).0 studiesNo studies
ARP with alloplast vs Extraction alone
Need for additional augmentation prior to implant placement · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Transillumination/OCT device used as an adjunct to a conventional visual examination vs Reference standard: histology, or enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs (also operative excavation, tooth separation, or microcomputed tomography)
Outcome NR · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (clinical/in vivo studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo; in vitro no limit if stored appropriately)
Transillumination and optical coherence tomography for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane
No studies formally reported the use of the illumination devices as an adjunct to a conventional visual examination, and therefore it has not been possible to make an assessment.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with demineralised bone matrix, single particle size vs ARP with demineralised bone matrix, multiple particle size
Aesthetic outcomes of future prosthodontic rehabilitation · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary (baby) canine (single primary tooth extraction) vs No extraction (non-intervention control)
Any other adverse effects, such as gingival disease and demineralisation · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
Only root resorption was assessed; other adverse effects (gingival disease, demineralisation) were not reported.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with demineralised bone matrix, single particle size vs ARP with demineralised bone matrix, multiple particle size
Implant failure rate · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
CO2 laser (carbon dioxide) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Outcome NR · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
We did not find any eligible study to evaluate erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) or carbon dioxide (CO2) laser compared with placebo/no treatment.0 studiesNo studies
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Super ethoxybenzoic acid (Super-EBA)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy on surfaces with pit and fissure sealants · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Pit and fissure sealants
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane
Pre-specified heterogeneity investigation of surfaces with pit and fissure sealants: no study reported the inclusion of sealants that would allow evaluation of early caries lesions.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with alloplast vs ARP with xenograft
Aesthetic outcomes of future prosthodontic rehabilitation · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 to 8 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation vs Isolite system
Clinical evaluation of restoration's quality · Dental patients undergoing restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction)
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Root repair material (RRM)
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation vs Isolite system
Adverse events · Dental patients undergoing restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction) · treatment phase
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation and moisture control (alone or with saliva aspiration) vs Cotton rolls (with or without saliva aspiration)
Adverse events · Dental patients undergoing direct or indirect restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction) · treatment phase
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events | Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary (baby) canine (single primary tooth extraction) vs No extraction (non-intervention control)
Incidence of successfully erupted PDC that were favourably positioned · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
Favourable position of the erupted PDC was not reported for this comparison.0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary (baby) canine (single primary tooth extraction) vs No extraction (non-intervention control)
Overall treatment time wearing orthodontic appliances · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation vs Isolite system
Costs: direct cost of treatment · Dental patients undergoing restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction)
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
In-office laser therapy (all types combined) vs Placebo (placebo laser or placebo agent) or no treatment
Patient-reported quality of life · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not measured in any of the included studies0 studiesNo studies
Dentine-bonded resin composite vs Glass ionomer cement
Adverse events · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;…
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane
Adverse events: outcome was not assessed by the included studies0 studiesNo studies
COE with light-based detection (e.g. ViziLite Plus, Microlux/DL, VELscope, Identafi 3000) vs Conventional oral examination (COE) alone
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies; planned comparative analysis (COE vs COE with light-based detection) not populated in this version.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with allograft plus synthetic cell-binding peptide P-15 vs ARP with allograft without P-15
Need for additional augmentation prior to implant placement · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Visual or visual-tactile classification systems (any system: ICDAS, ERK, Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS, or unspecified) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation)
Diagnostic accuracy on surfaces with pit and fissure sealants · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Pit and fissure sealants
Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane
Pre-specified heterogeneity investigation of surfaces with previously applied pit and fissure sealants: no studies reported the inclusion of sealants.0 studiesNo studies
COE with vital rinsing (toluidine blue/tolonium chloride) vs Reference standard: examination and clinical evaluation by a physician/clinician with specialist knowledge or training (long-term follow-up accepted for those screened negative)
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible study evaluated COE with vital rinse as a stand-alone screen against the reference standard in this version.0 studiesNo studies
Electrical conductance devices (electronic caries monitor (ECM) and/or CarieScan Pro), used as an adjunct to clinical oral examination vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual examination (with or without radiographs)
Outcome NR · Children/adolescents/adults or extracted teeth; target condition = non-cavitated enamel caries on PROXIMAL… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies. All included studies assessed occlusal surfaces only ('All studies assessed the use of the electrical conductance devices on occlusal surfaces.'); proximal surfaces were a planned surface subgroup…0 studiesNo studies
COE with blood/salivary (biomarker) analysis vs COE with light-based detection (e.g. ViziLite Plus, Microlux/DL, VELscope, Identafi 3000)
Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance…
Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies; planned comparative analysis (COE with light-based detection vs COE with blood/salivary analysis) not populated in this version.0 studiesNo studies
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy on restored teeth (secondary caries) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Restorations (secondary caries)
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane
Pre-specified heterogeneity investigation of teeth with previously applied restorations (secondary caries): no study intentionally included restored teeth in its sample. Studies evaluating secondary caries were…0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of the primary (baby) canine (single primary tooth extraction) vs No extraction (non-intervention control)
Costs / cost-effectiveness · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
The study did not report cost-effectiveness.0 studiesNo studies
ARP with alloplast plus barrier membrane vs ARP with alloplast without membrane
Implant failure rate · Adults aged 18 years or older, in good general health (including well-controlled systemic disease), requiring… · 9 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane
Outcome not reported0 studiesNo studies
Any orthodontic (non-surgical) treatment to correct posterior crossbite or expand the top teeth vs No treatment or another orthodontic treatment
Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or…
Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Direct composite resin restoration vs Amalgam restoration
Harms: injury · People with permanent or adult posterior teeth requiring restoration (parallel-group trials involved children aged 6…
Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent posterior teeth (2021) · Cochrane
We did not find any eligible studies that evaluated allergic reaction or injury (no studies reported on outcomes of relevance to injury).0 studiesNo studies
Electrical conductance devices (electronic caries monitor (ECM) and/or CarieScan Pro), used as an adjunct to clinical oral examination vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual examination (with or without radiographs)
Outcome NR · Samples with a low (<15%) prevalence of caries into dentine (d3/D3); target condition = non-cavitated enamel caries. · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries (2021) · Cochrane
No eligible studies. 'No studies reported the inclusion of a low prevalence (0% to 14%) of d3/D3 of tooth surfaces'; all included studies reported d3/D3 prevalence of 15% or above, so the planned low-prevalence…0 studiesNo studies
Fibre-optic transillumination (FOTI) vs Histological validation (in vitro) or direct visual examination after tooth separation / bioptical cavity preparation (in vivo)
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection · Permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces (in vitro extracted teeth and in vivo patients)
Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Double primary (canine and first molar) tooth extraction vs Single primary (canine) tooth extraction
Time taken for the canine to erupt into the mouth · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC)
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Rubber dam isolation vs Isolite system
Survival rate of the restorations · Dental patients undergoing restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction)
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies