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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.
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) + 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 · 9 to 12 months, Split-mouth studies only Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.84 [0.62, 1.06] | 6 studies · 192 participants | Ungraded |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Probing depth · 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 0.00 [-0.04, 0.04] | 1 study · 882 participants | High |
Mechanical debridement plus local antimicrobial (minocycline microspheres or doxycycline gel) vs Mechanical debridement alone 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 |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement 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 -0.97 [-3.51, 1.57] | 1 study · 10 participants | Very low |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Gingivitis · 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 0.03 [-0.09, 0.15] | 2 studies · 1090 participants | High |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + enamel matrix derivative (EMD) vs EMD (enamel matrix derivative) alone 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 -0.60 [-6.21, 5.01] | 1 study · 49 participants | Very low |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone 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 |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone Adverse events · 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 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). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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 · 3 to 6 months, Split-mouth studies only Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.54 [0.18, 0.89] | 3 studies · 134 participants | Ungraded |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Clinical attachment 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) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) alone 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 34.26 [30.07, 38.46] | 9 studies · 401 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + guided tissue regeneration (GTR) vs GTR (guided tissue regeneration) alone 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 | No RBF (radiographic bone defect filling) data were available for the APC + GTR versus GTR comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Routine scale and polish every 6 months vs Routine scale and polish every 12 months Participant satisfaction (perceived oral cleanliness) · 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 | RR 1.11 [0.85, 1.47] | 1 study · 207 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) 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 Plaque · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… · 24 months, 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.04 [-0.13, 0.05] | 1 study · 207 participants | Low |
Photodynamic therapy plus mechanical debridement vs Mechanical debridement alone 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 -0.09 [-1.41, 1.23] | 1 study · 10 participants | Very low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) 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 1.47 [1.11, 1.82] | 12 studies · 510 participants | Very low |
SPT performed by non-specialist clinicians (general dental practitioners under specialist prescription) vs SPT performed by specialists (specialist practice) Adverse events · 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) + 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 · 9 to 12 months Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.68 [-0.66, 2.02] | 5 studies · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Attachment change · 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 |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Calculus · 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 -0.32 [-0.44, -0.20] | 2 studies · 1086 participants | High |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment 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, 6-monthly (12-monthly parallel) Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-1.24, 0.64] | 1 study · 795 participants | High |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) 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 |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Participant satisfaction · 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 |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Tooth loss · 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) Costs (NHS perspective) · 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 |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Clinical attachment level · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.13 [-0.23, -0.03] | 1 study · 53 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Gestational age (preterm birth < 37 weeks) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.87 [0.70, 1.10] | 11 studies · 5671 participants | Low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Low birth weight < 2500 g · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.39 [0.92, 2.09] | 1 study · 756 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Preterm birth < 35 weeks · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.19 [0.81, 1.76] | 2 studies · 2557 participants | Very low |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Supragingival calculus formation (various calculus indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 4 to 6 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD 0.02 [-0.09, 0.14] | 2 studies · 102 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Mean birth weight · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Not pooled. Pirie 2013 (99 participants): mean difference in birth weight -0.07 kilograms. Macones 2010 (756 participants): difference in mean birth weight -67.7 grams. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Gingivitis (gingival inflammation) measured by Gingival Index of Loe and Silness · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 4 to 6 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.21 [-0.31, -0.11] | 10 studies · 805 participants | High |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Gestational age (preterm birth < 37 weeks) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination · SRP + antimicrobial vs alternative mechanical treatment + placebo Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.40 [0.67, 2.92] | 1 study · 243 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Pre-eclampsia · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Pre-eclampsia: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Mean gestational age (weeks) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Six studies (2573 participants) reported mean gestational age in weeks; data not pooled due to skewness; mean difference ranged between -0.1 and 1.4 weeks. Two studies reported gestational age as time-to-event data… | 6 studies · 2573 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Adverse effects of therapy · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | 0% in both groups; Not estimated; 2389 participants (4 RCTs) | 4 studies · 2389 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Preterm birth < 32 weeks · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.35 [0.78, 2.32] | 3 studies · 2755 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Low birth weight < 1500 g · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.80 [0.38, 1.70] | 2 studies · 2550 participants | Very low |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Supragingival calculus formation (various calculus indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 7 to 12 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD 0.32 [-0.04, 0.69] | 6 studies · 425 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Perinatal mortality (including fetal and neonatal deaths up to the first 28 days after birth) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.60, 1.85] | 2 studies · 855 participants | Very low |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Gingival bleeding (various bleeding indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 4 to 6 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -0.56 [-0.79, -0.33] | 8 studies · 649 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Low birth weight < 1500 g · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.85 [0.69, 4.96] | 1 study · 756 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Bleeding on probing · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | MD -28.00 [-38.54, -17.46] | 1 study · 53 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Supragingival calculus formation (various calculus indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 6 months Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD 0.80 [0.33, 1.26] | 4 studies · 323 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Severe pre-eclampsia (progression from mild pre-eclampsia) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.21 [0.77, 1.92] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Dental plaque (various plaque indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 6 months Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -1.43 [-1.76, -1.10] | 11 studies · 2075 participants | High |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Gingivitis (gingival inflammation) measured by Gingival Index of Loe and Silness · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 6 months Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.20 [-0.30, -0.11] | 13 studies · 2616 participants | High |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Gingival bleeding (various bleeding indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 6 months Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -0.72 [-1.02, -0.42] | 8 studies · 1132 participants | Ungraded |