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)

830 questions in 43 reviews · Orthodontics

current versions
No studies 186 · 22.4%Ungraded 410 · 49.4%Very low 122 · 14.7%Low 79 · 9.5%Moderate 30 · 3.6%High 3 · 0.4%

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
Ledermix root canal medicament (day 0 to 10) vs Ultracal root canal medicament (day 7 to 10)
Tooth survival at 12 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 12 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
Tooth survival at 12 months: Not estimable (due to no events in either arm); 27 teeth in 22 patients (1 RCT). At 12 months, no teeth were lost. 1 tooth was lost at 16 months in the Ultracal group.1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 4. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Intraoral fluoride-releasing glass bead device attached to the brace vs 250 ppm F (daily) fluoride mouthrinse
Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 19 months
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.51 [0.73, 3.10]1 study · 37 participantsVery low
Storage of the tooth prior to replantation (storage medium) vs Different storage medium or dry storage
Outcome NR · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily
Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 24.5 months (assessed with QLF)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.65 [0.37, 1.17]1 study · 81 participantsVery low
Extra-oral pulp extirpation at day 0 vs Intra-oral pulp extirpation at day 7
Radiographic resorption (proxy measure for periodontal healing) at 12 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 12 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.35 [0.81, 2.24]1 study · 19 participantsVery low
Hyperbaric oxygen (following replantation) vs Control
Pulpal healing at 12 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 12 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [1.06, 1.48]1 study · 69 participantsVery low
Hyperbaric oxygen (following replantation) vs Control
Periodontal healing at 12 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 12 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2.04 [1.52, 2.73]1 study · 69 participantsVery low
Thymosin alpha 1 (10-minute soak prior to replantation) vs Control (saline)
Periodontal healing at 48 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 48 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 5.60 [2.22, 14.11]1 study · 73 participantsVery low
Patient-used 5000 ppm F toothpaste, daily vs 1450 ppm F (conventional) toothpaste, daily
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 3. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Patient-used 5000 ppm F toothpaste, daily throughout treatment vs 1450 ppm F (conventional) toothpaste, daily
Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 1.8 years
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.68 [0.46, 1.00]1 study · 380 participantsLow
Professionally-applied 12,300 ppm F APF foam, every 2 months vs 0 ppm F placebo foam
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 2. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Ledermix root canal medicament (day 0 to 10) vs Ultracal root canal medicament (day 7 to 10)
Periodontal healing at 12 months (tooth level) · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 12 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.67 [0.80, 3.49]1 study · 22 participantsVery low
12,500 ppm F (NaF/olaflur/dectaflur) amine fluoride gel vs 0 ppm F placebo gel
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; mean follow-up 16.6 months
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Additional SoF Table 1. Adverse effects: with placebo gel 0.60%; with fluoride gel 0.00% (0 to 0); difference 0.60% fewer (0.60 fewer to 0.60 fewer); relative effect not estimable; 312 participants (1 RCT); certainty…1 study · 312 participantsVery low
Professionally-applied 12,300 ppm F APF foam, every 2 months vs 0 ppm F placebo foam
Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; mean follow-up 18 months
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.26 [0.11, 0.57]1 study · 95 participantsLow
1400/250 ppm F (amine F/SnF2) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily vs 1400/250 ppm F (NaF) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily
Visible plaque index (mean change from baseline) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 1.5 years
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.09 [-0.18, 0]1 study · 97 participantsVery low
Professionally-applied 12,300 ppm F APF foam, every 2 months vs 0 ppm F placebo foam
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 2. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Professionally-applied fluoride varnish (7700 or 10,000 ppm F), every 6 weeks vs Non-fluoride (placebo) varnish
Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 1.7 years
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 1. Adverse effects: no evidence that the intervention had adverse effects; only 1 participant with an adverse event and unclear if directly related to the intervention. 148 participants (1 RCT, Sonesson 2019);…1 study · 148 participantsLow
Thymosin alpha 1 (10-minute soak prior to replantation) vs Control (saline)
Tooth survival at 48 months · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth · 48 months
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.58 [1.86, 6.89]1 study · 73 participantsVery low
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Dento-occlusal results of treatment, measured with the PAR index · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
No data are available as no RCTs or CCTs have been conducted.0 studiesNo studies
Fixed functional appliance (FORSUS FRD) vs Fixed functional appliance with mini-implants (FMI)
Final overjet · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.36 [-1.07, 0.35]1 study · 29 participantsUngraded
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Early treatment (two-phase) with functional appliance
Incidence of incisal trauma · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
OR 0.78 [0.42, 1.47]2 studies · 226 participantsUngraded
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Early treatment (two-phase) with functional appliance
Final ANB · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.17 [-0.67, 0.34]2 studies · 222 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Gingival and TMJ symptoms · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Fixed functional appliance (FORSUS FRD) vs Fixed functional appliance with mini-implants (FMI)
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.22 [-0.86, 1.3]2 studies · 60 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Quality of life · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth (removable, fixed, or functional braces, or headgear) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)
Side effects · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Chemical cured composite vs Conventional (chemical cured) glass ionomer cement
Decalcification · Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances attached to their teeth · To end of appliance treatment
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets (2018) · Cochrane
It was surprising that decalcification rates were not reported as a secondary outcome, as clinically it is suggested that GIC is protective against decalcification; the…0 studiesNo studies
Twin Block functional appliance vs Other functional appliances (Bionator, Herbst, R-appliance, Dynamax, Bite-Jumping)
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.56 [-0.96, -0.16]6 studies · 320 participantsLow
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Duration of treatment · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Fixed functional appliance (FORSUS FRD) vs Fixed functional appliance with mini-implants (FMI)
Patient satisfaction · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
OR 0.18 [0.01, 3.97]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth (removable, fixed, or functional braces, or headgear) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)
Cephalometric measurements (ANB change and front teeth inclination changes) · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Activator functional appliance vs Prefabricated functional myobrace appliance (PFA)
Final overjet · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.6 [-1.63, 0.43]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded
R-appliance vs Anterior inclined bite plate (AIBP)
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.3 [-0.99, 0.39]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Side effects · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Early treatment (two-phase: phase 1 in childhood, phase 2 in adolescence) with functional appliance vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with functional appliance
Self concept · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.83 [-3.97, 2.31]1 study · 132 participantsUngraded
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with headgear
PAR score · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -1.55 [-3.7, 0.6]2 studies · 177 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth
Cephalometric measurements (ANB change and front teeth inclination changes) · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Early treatment (two-phase) with functional appliance
Incidence of incisal trauma · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of phase I (growth modification phase)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
OR 1.02 [0.48, 2.17]2 studies · 282 participantsUngraded
Late treatment (one-phase) with removable functional appliance vs No treatment
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -2.37 [-3.01, -1.74]2 studies · 99 participantsLow
Late treatment (one-phase) with fixed functional appliance vs No treatment
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.53 [-1.27, 0.22]3 studies · 89 participantsLow
Activator functional appliance vs Fixed functional appliance (FORSUS FRD EZ)
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -1.74 [-3.28, -0.2]1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with headgear
Incidence of new incisal trauma · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
OR 0.45 [0.25, 0.8]2 studies · 237 participantsLow
Early treatment (two-phase: phase 1 in childhood, phase 2 in adolescence) with functional appliance vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with functional appliance
Incidence of new incisal trauma · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of orthodontic treatment (phase II)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
OR 0.56 [0.33, 0.95]3 studies · 332 participantsModerate
Removable functional appliance vs Fixed functional appliance
Final ANB · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -1.04 [-1.6, -0.49]3 studies · 185 participantsLow
Chemical cured composite vs Light cured composite
Bracket (bond) failure · Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances attached to their teeth · To end of appliance treatment
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets (2018) · Cochrane
Additional Table 1 summarises the proportion of bracket failures for a CC and LC composite with two different bracket bases (O'Brien 1989). The paper reported the results of applying a Mantel-Haenszel Chi2 test which…1 study · 52 participantsUngraded
Early treatment (two-phase: phase 1 in childhood, phase 2 in adolescence) with functional appliance vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with functional appliance
Final overjet · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of phase I (growth modification phase)
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -4.17 [-4.61, -3.73]3 studies · 432 participantsUngraded
Composite (chemical or light cured) vs Resin-modified glass ionomer cement
Outcome NR · Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances attached to their teeth · To end of appliance treatment
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets (2018) · Cochrane
No included studies involved a comparison with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (a planned adhesive group). The authors recommended future randomised controlled trials involving resin-modified light cured glass…0 studiesNo studies
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth (removable, fixed, or functional braces, or headgear) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)
Gingival and TMJ symptoms · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Harvold Activator vs Frankel function regulator
Overjet change · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane
MD -2.93 [-5.37, -0.49]1 study · 25 participantsUngraded