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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Super ethoxybenzoic acid (Super-EBA) 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 studies | 0 studies | No studies |
ARP with allograft 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 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site… (2021) · Cochrane | Outcome not reported | 0 studies | No studies |
Double primary (canine and first molar) tooth extraction vs Single primary (canine) tooth extraction 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
ARP with demineralised bone matrix, single particle size vs ARP with demineralised bone matrix, multiple particle size 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 reported | 0 studies | No studies |
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo Outcome NR · Immunosuppressed / immunocompromised patients (e.g. HIV infection, AIDS, diabetes, transplants) undergoing tooth… Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane | No studies: none of the 23 included trials evaluated tooth extraction in immunocompromised patients; subgroup analysis based on immune status was not possible as no such studies were identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
ARP with allograft plus synthetic cell-binding peptide P-15 vs ARP with allograft without P-15 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 reported | 0 studies | No studies |
Bone-borne expansion vs Fixed tooth-borne expansion (Hyrax) 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 7) | 0 studies | No studies |
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (any regimen; topical therapy excluded) administered before and/or after tooth extraction vs Placebo Outcome NR · Patients undergoing tooth extraction for severe dental caries or periodontal disease in general dental practice… Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions (2021) · Cochrane | No studies in general dental practice for removal of decayed teeth. PUB3 added one routine intra-alveolar extraction trial and one complex oral surgery trial (2 of 23 non-third-molar), but the single intra-alveolar… | 0 studies | No studies |
Fixed tooth-bone-borne expansion vs Fixed tooth-borne expansion (Hyrax) 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 6) | 0 studies | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Percentage of closed pockets · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to the patient or HCW before and/or after an AGP vs No treatment or saline or water Other adverse events: changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Patient-reported quality of life changes · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Electrical conductance (e.g. electronic caries monitor, ECM) vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual-tactile examination Outcome NR · Adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having root caries (in vivo); extracted teeth of adults (in vitro) Tests to detect and inform the diagnosis of root caries (2020) · Cochrane | Electrical conductance was a pre-specified eligible index test but no diagnostic test accuracy study of electrical conductance was included. A study evaluating the electronic caries monitor (ECM) (Wicht 2002) was… | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to the patient or HCW before and/or after an AGP vs No treatment or saline or water Other adverse events: allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa (e.g. erosions, ulcers, bleeding), long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
General ventilation (e.g. natural ventilation, exhaust fans, opening windows) vs No general ventilation / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs Doxycycline + SRP Antimicrobial resistance · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Time taken to apply pit and fissure sealant or fluoride varnish · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | None of the studies measured time taken to apply pit and fissure sealant or fluoride varnish (resin sealant versus fluoride varnish comparison). | 0 studies | No studies |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported adverse events | NR | No studies |
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy) Postoperative pain · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 24 hours Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Patient-reported quality of life changes · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Costs for the interventions used · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Lingual nerve retractor (subperiosteal or Free's) vs No retractor Maximum mouth opening · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 7 days Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
One type of dental check-up (e.g. examination plus scale and polish) vs A different type of dental check-up (e.g. examination only) at the same fixed recall interval Outcome NR · Children and adults receiving dental check-ups in primary care, irrespective of oral disease risk Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane | No studies identified comparing different check-up types at the same fixed recall interval. | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Anosmia (or disturbance in sense of smell) · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Viral content of aerosol · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP Percentage of closed pockets · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system) Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention) Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection vs No BoNT (placebo or pre-treatment baseline) Salivary osmolality (hydration level) · Patients with drooling (sialorrhea) due to neurological disease Oral health effects of botulinum toxin treatment for drooling: a systematic review. (2020) | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care vs Placebo or usual care Caregivers' preferences for oral hygiene care · Critically ill patients (adults and children) receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of caregivers' preferences was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP Patient-reported quality of life changes · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system) Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention) Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics) Systemic antibiotic use · Critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | This outcome was not reported by any of the studies in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Permanent altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · >6 months Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Lingual nerve retractor (subperiosteal or Free's) vs No retractor Wound infection · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Surgical removal (extraction) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth vs Retention (conservative management) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth Undesirable outcomes associated with removal (alveolar osteitis/postoperative infection, nerve injury, damage to adjacent teeth, bleeding, osteonecrosis, inflammation/infection) · Adolescents or adults with asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease‐free impacted wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | Undesirable outcomes associated with removal: Not measured. No included studies measured outcomes or adverse events associated with removal (alveolar osteitis/postoperative infection, nerve injury, damage to adjacent… | 0 studies | No studies |
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation) Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Antimicrobial resistance · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Bone removal technique (chisel / piezoelectric / ultrasonic) vs Bur (conventional rotary) Adverse effects · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation) Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Irrigation technique A vs Irrigation technique B Permanent altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · >6 months Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Postoperative pain · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 24 hours Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics) Caregivers' preferences for oral hygiene care · Critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of caregivers' preferences was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane | Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |