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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water COVID-19 viral content of aerosol (when present) · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozonisation vs No ozonisation / 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 |
Resin-based fissure sealant plus fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish alone Number of visits to the dentist for repair of sealant or fluoride varnish application · 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 | The study (Splieth 2001) did not measure the number of visits to the dentist for repair of sealant or fluoride varnish application. | 0 studies | No studies |
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment 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 |
Clindamycin + SRP vs SRP Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included study has not reported adverse events | NR | No studies |
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation) 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 |
Tetracycline + 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 |
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy) Adverse effects (root migration / fracture) · 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 |
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 Change in COVID-19 viral load at site(s) of irrigation · 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 |
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 Anosmia (or disturbance in sense of smell) · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… · Assessed at a minimum of 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Irrigation technique A vs Irrigation technique B 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 |
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 12-month recall Periodontal disease · Regular-attending primary-care dental patients aged 3, 16 or 18 years at entry (aged up to 20; low caries risk) · 2 years Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 1 lists 'Periodontal disease: Not reported' for the 24-month versus 12-month comparison (Wang 1992 did not measure it). | 0 studies | No studies |
Gastroesophageal or laryngopharyngeal reflux (GERD/LPR) vs Healthy individuals (controls) Oral/pharyngeal microbiota modifications · Adults with GERD/LPR reflux Laryngopharyngeal reflux, gastroesophageal reflux and dental disorders: A systematic review. (2020) | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Doxycycline + 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 |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + 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 |
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) 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 |
Ultraviolet (UV) light air decontamination vs No UV light / 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 |
Canary System (Quantum Dental Technologies; red fluorescence, scale 0-100) vs Reference standard: histology, enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs, or excavation Outcome NR · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (in vivo/clinical studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane | The Canary System was not used by any included study. | 0 studies | No studies |
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy) Permanent altered sensation (inferior alveolar nerve damage) · 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 |
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · 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 | Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Resin-based fissure sealant plus fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish alone Progression of dentinal carious lesions into enamel or dentine · 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 | The study (Splieth 2001) did not report progression of dentinal carious lesions into enamel or dentine. | 0 studies | No studies |
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · 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 | Patient satisfaction: 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 Incidence of symptomatic or test-positive COVID-19 infection in HCWs or patients · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… · Assessed at a minimum of 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Other adverse events (allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa, long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion) · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment Successful LA/painless 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 | Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Tetracycline + 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 |
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP Patient-reported quality of life changes · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · 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 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 Changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · 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 |
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before 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 |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Incidence of symptomatic or test-positive COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Clindamycin + 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 |
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic Successful LA/painless treatment · 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 | Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP Antimicrobial resistance · Adults with chronic 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 |
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · 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 | Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment Adverse effects · 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 | Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Audiovisual distraction 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 |
Surgical removal (extraction) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth vs Retention (conservative management) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth Other pathological changes associated with retention (pericoronitis, root resorption, cyst formation, tumour formation, 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 | No included studies reported pericoronitis, root resorption, cyst formation, tumour formation or inflammation/infection. | 0 studies | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention to patients and dentists · 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 |
Counter-stimulation or distraction 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 |
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do) Adverse effects · 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 | Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Alveolar osteitis · 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 |
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do) 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 |
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP Percentage of closed pockets · Adults with chronic 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) Alveolar osteitis · 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 |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing 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 |
Primary (complete) wound closure vs Secondary (partial) wound closure 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 |
Primary (complete) wound closure vs Secondary (partial) wound closure Temporary altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · ~1 month Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Fumigation or fogging vs No fumigation or fogging / 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 |
Surgical drain (tube or gauze) vs No drain Adverse effects (reactionary bleeding) · 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 |
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment Completion of dental 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 | Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcome | NR | No studies |