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.
793 questions in 32 reviews · Periodontology
current versionsNo studies 148 · 18.7%Ungraded 429 · 54.1%Very low 137 · 17.3%Low 53 · 6.7%Moderate 14 · 1.8%High 12 · 1.5%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) alone Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 9 to 12 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 1.29 [1.00, 1.58] | 12 studies · 510 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) alone Tooth survival · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | All studies in all groups reported a survival rate of 100% for the treated teeth (no comparative estimate; not GRADE-rated). | 12 studies | Ungraded |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Costs (NHS perspective, GBP) · 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 | MD -7.62 [-28.39, 13.15] | 1 study · 556 participants | Very low |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Gingivitis · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 24 to 36 months, 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | SMD -0.01 [-0.13, 0.11] | 2 studies · 1087 participants | High |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in radiographic bone defect filling (RBF) (%) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 9 to 12 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 9.99 [6.44, 13.55] | 6 studies · 282 participants | Ungraded |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Plaque · 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.42 [-0.02, 0.86] | 7 studies · 248 participants | Very low |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Costs (NHS perspective, GBP) · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.52 [-18.10, 19.14] | 1 study · 554 participants | Very low |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 36 months Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-1.34, 0.54] | 1 study · 786 participants | High |
SPT using one technique or appliance for mechanical root debridement vs SPT using a different technique or appliance for mechanical root debridement Outcome NR · 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Bleeding on probing (%) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | MD 7.40 [-8.12, 22.92] | 1 study · 35 participants | Very low |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Probing pocket depth (mm) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.20 [-0.40, 0.80] | 1 study · 35 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + enamel matrix derivative (EMD) vs EMD (enamel matrix derivative) alone Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.10 [-0.13, 0.32] | 2 studies · 75 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Pocket closure (complete pocket closure) · 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 complete pocket closure was reported (outcome addressed across included studies; no usable comparative estimate). | NR | Ungraded |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Participant satisfaction (perceived oral cleanliness) · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 36 months, 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.83 [1.28, 2.63] | 1 study · 205 participants | Low |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Calculus · 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) Oral health-related quality of life · 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.72 [0.43, 1.00] | 17 studies · 569 participants | Very low |
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone Bleeding on probing (ratios) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.45 [0.14, 1.52] | 1 study · 50 participants | Very low |
SPT provided at one time interval vs SPT provided at a different time interval Outcome NR · 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) including mechanical debridement vs Monitoring only, or alternative interventions that do not include mechanical debridement Outcome NR · 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) 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 |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Probing depth · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 36 months, 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.04, 0.04] | 1 study · 880 participants | High |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Probing depth · 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Tooth survival · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | All studies in all groups reported a survival rate of 100% for the treated teeth (no comparative estimate; not GRADE-rated). | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + enamel matrix derivative (EMD) vs EMD (enamel matrix derivative) alone Pocket closure (complete pocket closure) · 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 complete pocket closure was reported (outcome addressed across included studies; no usable comparative estimate). | NR | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.54 [0.33, 0.75] | 17 studies · 569 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 9 to 12 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.27 [-0.39, 0.93] | 5 studies · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone Bleeding on probing · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | Not measured in usable way (Lulic 2009 reported only the percentage of sites with bleeding, with no participant-based measures) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 3 to 6 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.47 [0.11, 0.84] | 11 studies · 272 participants | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Pocket closure (complete pocket closure) · 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 complete pocket closure was reported (outcome addressed across included studies; no usable comparative estimate). | NR | Ungraded |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Adverse events · 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Tooth survival · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | All studies in all groups reported a survival rate of 100% for the treated teeth (no comparative estimate; not GRADE-rated). | 17 studies | Ungraded |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Calculus · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 24 to 36 months Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | SMD -0.13 [-0.25, -0.01] | 2 studies · 1086 participants | High |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + enamel matrix derivative (EMD) vs EMD (enamel matrix derivative) 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 |
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone Adverse events · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | See comment. Killeen 2016 reported no adverse events at follow-up examinations in either study arm. Tonetti 2012 reported that there were no serious adverse events. | 2 studies · 251 participants | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.92 [-0.02, 1.86] | 7 studies · 248 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 3 to 6 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.62 [0.30, 0.94] | 11 studies · 272 participants | Ungraded |
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone Pocket depth (mm) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.10 [-0.59, 0.39] | 1 study · 51 participants | Low |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Plaque · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 24 months Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.04 [-0.13, 0.05] | 1 study · 207 participants | Low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 9 to 12 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.50 [0.31, 0.69] | 10 studies · 381 participants | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) Change in radiographic bone defect filling (RBF) (%) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 3 to 6 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.76 [1.27, 8.25] | 6 studies · 162 participants | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender · 3 to 6 months, Split-mouth studies only Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 1.07 [-0.71, 2.86] | 3 studies · 134 participants | Ungraded |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) + bone graft (BG) vs OFD + BG (open flap debridement + bone graft) 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 | MD 8.10 [5.26, 10.94] | 11 studies · 420 participants | Very low |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Halitosis · 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 |
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone Clinical attachment level (mm) · Adults treated for periodontitis and receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) · 12 months Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-0.42, 0.62] | 1 study · 53 participants | Low |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Gingivitis · 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 |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + enamel matrix derivative (EMD) vs EMD (enamel matrix derivative) alone Change in probing depth (PD) (mm) · 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 | MD 0.13 [-0.05, 0.30] | 2 studies · 75 participants | Very low |