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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.
830 questions in 43 reviews · Orthodontics
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 24 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -21.19 [-28.31, -14.06] | 12 studies · 1012 participants | Moderate |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Treatment time: time from surgical exposure to eruption/bonding a bracket · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Exposure to bonding Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD -3.81 [-5.80, -1.82] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response (pain/discomfort reported soon after surgery) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 1 to 10 days postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | SoF (Patient response, pain and discomfort reported in different ways between 1 to 10 days postoperatively): 'This outcome was measured in a variety of ways in the studies that cannot be pooled'; quality very low… | 2 studies | Very low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal position in the dental arch · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · End of treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.39 [0.52, 10.99] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | In one study, one participant (<1%) in the paracetamol group experienced drug hypersensitivity (a 'red, blotchy and itchy rash') that resolved without treatment within 1 week (Bradley 2007 / McAlinden 2005); 1 RCT;… | 1 study | Very low |
One type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes (chemically-cured composite, light-cured composite, conventional glass ionomer, poly-acid modified composite/compomer, or resin-modified glass ionomer) vs Any other type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes First-time bond failure · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 6 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -5.17 [-11.71, 1.37] | 7 studies · 664 participants | Low |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Rescue analgesia · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | Use of rescue analgesia recorded in 7 studies; only 2 reported counts (Tuncer 2014: 2 participants; Bruno 2011: 6 participants); no class/dose/timing reported; not pooled. SoF cell: 'Not reported'. | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg) Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: bleeding on probing (Papilla Bleeding Index) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.21 [-0.14, 0.56] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Bonded molar tubes (attached with adhesive) vs Molar bands (cemented, e.g. with glass ionomer cement) Decalcification (participant level) · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.85 [1.22, 2.79] | 1 study · 74 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: gingival recession (six-point probing) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.76] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response: total discomfort score (pain, difficulty eating, brushing, speaking, bad taste) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-4.17, 4.37] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg) Pain intensity (VAS) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 4 days (not usable) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | One study (Lauritano 2000) compared ketoprofen 160 mg with benzidamine chloride 22.5 mg mouthwashes; it presented data at 4 days only, so the data could not be used in this review; no GRADE rating. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 2 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD 13 [-3.45, 29.45] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal tooth inclination · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · End of treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.91 [0.78, 4.66] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response: moderate or severe pain at 1 day postoperative · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 1 day postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.86 [0.61, 1.20] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Treatment time: duration of orthodontic treatment (placement to removal of fixed appliances) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Fixed-appliance phase Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD -3.77 [-9.20, 1.66] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: midpalatal gingival recession · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.32 [0.63, 2.77] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 2 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -11.30 [-16.27, -6.33] | 1 study · 41 participants | Very low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response: satisfaction with treatment (satisfactory vs unsatisfactory) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · After orthodontic treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.92, 1.09] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 6 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -24.27 [-31.44, -17.11] | 9 studies · 535 participants | Moderate |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg) Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported any adverse events. SoF cell: 'Not reported'. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bonded molar tubes (attached with adhesive) vs Molar bands (cemented, e.g. with glass ionomer cement) First time failure at participant level · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.30 [1.56, 3.41] | 2 studies · 186 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal tooth colour · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · End of treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.91 [0.19, 19.52] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 24 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.51 [-8.93, 7.92] | 9 studies · 734 participants | Low |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 6 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -8.43 [-30.37, 13.50] | 2 studies · 69 participants | Very low |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Success of surgery (eruption of the canine crown sufficient for orthodontic alignment, without repeated surgery) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 10 days postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.99 [0.93, 1.06] | 3 studies · 141 participants | Low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Treatment time: length of time in the operating theatre (first incision to final suture) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Intraoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD -3.18 [-7.59, 1.22] | 2 studies · 89 participants | Very low |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 2 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -2.92 [-8.48, 2.65] | 7 studies · 664 participants | Low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: radiographic crestal bone level · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD 3.21 [-0.33, 6.75] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
One type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes (chemically-cured composite, light-cured composite, conventional glass ionomer, poly-acid modified composite/compomer, or resin-modified glass ionomer) vs Any other type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes Decalcification (presence or absence of decay around the attachment) · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics of the treated canine compared with the untreated contralateral canine · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · End of treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | SoF (Aesthetics, reported in various manners at different time points): 'This outcome was measured in a variety of ways in the studies that cannot be pooled'; quality very low (⊕⊝⊝⊝). Results: Parkin 2012 -… | 2 studies | Very low |
Bonded molar tubes (attached with adhesive) vs Molar bands (cemented, e.g. with glass ionomer cement) First time failure at tooth level · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | HR 2.92 [1.80, 4.72] | 2 studies · 190 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: clinical attachment level (CAL) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.10 [-0.45, 0.25] | 1 study · 62 participants | Low |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported any adverse events. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chemically cured glass ionomer cement vs Light-cured compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin) Taste preference (patient preference) · Patients with full arch fixed orthodontic appliances with bands attached to molars (patients with cleft lip/palate or… · Approximately 12 months (to end of treatment) Adhesives for fixed orthodontic bands (2016) · Cochrane | Williams 2005 (30 participants): a statistically significant difference in patient taste preference in favour of the glass ionomer over the light-cured composite resin (compomer). | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |