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.
5,762 questions in 263 reviews · Dental caries
current versionsNo studies 321 · 5.6%Ungraded 4,450 · 77.2%Very low 455 · 7.9%Low 297 · 5.2%Moderate 200 · 3.5%High 39 · 0.7%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 5 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 77 [56, 92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.93 [0.91, 0.94] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 5 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 80 [76, 83] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 4 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.86 [0.78, 0.93] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 2 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 1.00 [0.98, 1.00] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 3 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.66 [0.13, 0.99] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 5 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.63 [0.56, 0.70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment in permanent teeth (D(M)FT) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.29 [0.19, 0.39] | 3 studies · 1208 participants | Moderate |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Plaque and gingivitis scores · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | One study (Holm 1975): no difference between groups (fluoride supplements versus fluoride rinses) for mean plaque and gingivitis scores after 2 years. No summary estimate reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 3 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 85 [77, 91] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 3 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 72 [72, 86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 2 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 82 [77, 86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 5 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 90 [85, 94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 2 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 100 [98, 100] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 6 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.59 [0.51, 0.67] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not reported. No included study measured halitosis; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 5 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 63 [56, 70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth, questionable to severe) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 55 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | % of children with fluorotic teeth (questionable to severe), follow-up 55 months. Assumed risk 32/212 = 15%; corresponding risk 40/202 = 20% (APF once a day) and 43/197 = 22% (APF twice a day). Relative effect: Not… | 1 study · 611 participants | Very low |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 4 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 68 [61, 75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 1 year, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 100 [99, 100] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Calculus · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed calculus as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 2 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.41 [0.18, 0.67] | 1 study | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 3 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.97 [0.96, 0.98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Quality of life · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Other preventive measures (xylitol lozenges) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS, approximal surfaces) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.59, 0.59] | 1 study · 115 participants | Low |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 5 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.90 [0.85, 0.94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 93 [91, 94] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(MF)S) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF -0.10 [-0.25, 0.05] | 5 studies · 2047 participants | Moderate |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 3 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.20 [-0.36, -0.04] | 5 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 31 [2, 77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 6 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.85 [0.79, 0.91] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities (children) · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.31 [0.02, 0.77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 4 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 93 [91, 96] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on deciduous tooth surfaces (d(m)fs) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.13 [-0.07, 0.33] | 2 studies · 1051 participants | Moderate |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Gingivitis (Gingival Index, 0-3 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 6 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.72 [-1.09, -0.35] | 4 studies · 564 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 72 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.28 [0.16, 0.41] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 3 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 97 [96, 98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 3 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.85 [0.77, 0.91] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 96 [94, 97] | 15 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment in deciduous teeth (dmft) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.46 [0.08, 0.83] | 2 studies · 696 participants | Very low |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 1 year, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.95 [0.91, 0.98] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Mixed beam (neutron and photon) radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.04 [0.84, 1.29] | 1 study · 327 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.84 [0.72, 0.99] | 4 studies · 1071 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated/boost vs conventional, locoregional control: IPD from one trial (Fu 2000); a statistically significant difference in favour of the accelerated schedule with boost was shown (Analysis 1.2). No numeric… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Low dose rate interstitial radiotherapy vs High dose rate interstitial radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.00 [0.16, 6.44] | 1 study · 59 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Hyperfractionated/accelerated split course vs accelerated boost (Fu 1995, feasibility study, 75 participants): authors report no significant difference in total mortality; data not presented in a way that allows… | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.85 [0.70, 1.03] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Neutron radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.36, 1.09] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.74 [0.62, 0.89] | 3 studies · 966 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.95 [0.80, 1.13] | 3 studies · 1203 participants | Ungraded |