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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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.
10,375 questions in 429 reviews · Oral Health
current versionsNo studies 1,344 · 13%Ungraded 6,832 · 65.9%Very low 1,228 · 11.8%Low 613 · 5.9%Moderate 290 · 2.8%High 68 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
CP gel in tray vs CP gel in tray Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | Higher concentrations of CP in tray led to more tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation; symptoms mild and transient; CP with desensitiser showed significantly less sensitivity | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Primary education vs University education Prevalence of untreated decay (% DT > 0) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2007-2009, Canada, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 22.11 [14.21, 30.02] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.25 [0.37, 4.27] | 2 studies · 100 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 · 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 |
Fluoride in rinse vs Placebo Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Randomisation year, NMR covariate Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.11 [0.01, 1.94] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Acetone-based total-etch adhesive Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 and 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 69.52] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Wax (fluid wax), two stage-two step selective pressure final impression vs Polysulfide rubber (elastomer) Number of border adjustments and sore spots after insertion of denture · Completely edentulous people · 1 year Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.38, 1.70] | 1 study · 27 participants | Very low |
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 |
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with headgear Final overjet · 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 -0.22 [-0.56, 0.12] | 2 studies · 238 participants | Low |
Dental caries during pregnancy vs Pregnant women without dental caries Preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) · Pregnant women · Pregnant women assessed around delivery in observational studies across multiple countries (Mexico, Malawi, India, France, Jordan, Finland, Tanzania); mostly retrospective cohort and case-control designs Dental caries and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2018) | OR 1.16 [0.90, 1.49] | 5 studies · 4246 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 38.6 [25, 54] | 14 studies | Ungraded |
Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Placebo or usual care (control) Retention of slow-release fluoride devices (devices staying intact) · Children with high risk of dental decay · 2 years Slow‐release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay (2018) · Cochrane | 132 (1 study); very low; Only 63/132 (47.7%) children who were still available at 2-year follow-up had the devices intact | 1 study · 132 participants | Very low |
Primary education vs University education Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated oral health · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2007-2009, Canada, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 12.98 [6.23, 19.73] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
Populations with a lower proportion of university-educated people (<33.78% with university level) vs Populations with a higher proportion of university-educated people (>=33.78% with university level) Dental caries experience (DMFT) · Adults aged 19-60 years · Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016), Overall Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 10.78 [8.77, 12.79] | 18 studies | Ungraded |
Biodentine vs Formocresol (FC) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No clinical failure in any participant (El Meligy 2016); not estimable | 1 study · 112 participants | Ungraded |
EMP + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Clinical attachment change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months) Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.25 [-0.69, 0.20] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Low |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.10 [0.01, 0.72] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.15, 3.33] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Moderate |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: paraesthesia following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
20% CP gel in tray vs 7.5% HP gel in tray Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 12 days Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.99 [-2.32, 0.34] | 1 study · 56 participants | Very low |
Medium income vs High income Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated oral health · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2003-2004, United States, United States Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 10.0 [3.8, 16.2] | 1 study · 4568 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 |
Diode laser vs Formocresol (FC) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 2.00 [0.75, 5.33] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Single-stage alginate impression (simplified method) vs Two stage-two step elastomer (silicone, polysulfide, or polyether) conventional method Mandibular denture satisfaction · Completely edentulous people · 6 months Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane | SMD 0.21 [-0.11, 0.52] | 2 studies · 155 participants | Very low |
Fluoride in gel vs Fluoride in dentifrice Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride in rinse vs Fluoride in dentifrice Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
XCM + CAF vs CAF Keratinized tissue width change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months) Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.44 [0.04, 0.85] | 2 studies · 104 participants | Low |
Erbium:YAG laser vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.62 [0.11, 3.56] | 1 study · 91 participants | Ungraded |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: paraesthesia following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: See comment; 0 participants (0 studies); 1 case of prolonged anaesthesia recorded; no clinical studies met the outcome definition (unable to confirm whether prolonged anaesthesia = paraesthesia). | 0 studies | No studies |
HDI (quantitative) vs Populations in countries with a higher Human Development Index (very high, HDI >=0.800) Association with dental caries experience (DMFT) by random-effects meta-regression · Adults aged 19-60 years · Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016), Unadjusted model Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient 20.17878 | NR | Ungraded |
Propolis vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 70.30] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS)/zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpotomy vs Sedanol (ZOE) pulpectomy Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.60 [0.25, 1.46] | 1 study · 291 participants | Ungraded |
Populations with a lower proportion of university-educated people (<33.78% with university level) vs Populations with a higher proportion of university-educated people (>=33.78% with university level) Association with dental caries experience (DMFT) by random-effects meta-regression · Adults aged 19-60 years · Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016), Unadjusted model Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient -0.3066788 | NR | Ungraded |
Chemical cured composite vs Compomer (polyacid-modified resin composite) Decalcification · Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances attached to their teeth · To end of appliance treatment Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets (2018) · Cochrane | However the paper reported that the compomer offered better protection against decalcification when compared by a sign test (P = 0.0075) (Millett 2000). No effect estimate or confidence interval was reported. | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Primary education vs University education Mean number of decayed teeth (mean DT) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2003-2004, United States, United States Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.43 [0.31, 0.54] | 1 study · 4568 participants | Ungraded |
5.3% HP strip vs 5% HP gel in tray Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 18 months Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.06 [-2.24, 2.36] | 1 study · 28 participants | Very low |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 9.00 [0.52, 156.92] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
6% HP strip vs 19% SPC paint-on film Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.93 [0.59, 1.27] | 1 study · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Electrofulguration + calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Electrofulguration + zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.83 [0.26, 2.73] | 1 study · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Enhanced one-to-one OHA vs One-to-one OHA (standard) Periodontal health: gingivitis · Children or adults (fit and healthy, or with a well-defined medical condition) · 2 to 12 months One‐to‐one oral hygiene advice provided in a dental setting for oral health (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: 2 studies did not report usable data; 1 study gave low-quality evidence of a benefit in gingivitis reduction at 5.5 months for enhanced OHA; 3 studies found little or no difference across all time points. Results:… | 5 studies · 430 participants | Very low |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Positive LR for detecting advanced proximal caries · Proximal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Positive LR 9.82 [7.3, 13.3] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
5% CP gel in tray (with STPP) vs Placebo Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 2 weeks Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.56 [1.52, 7.59] | 1 study · 21 participants | Very low |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Negative LR for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Private practice, rural northern Germany, Tailored to Germany Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Negative LR 0.54 [0.46, 0.63] | 36 studies | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection vs Reference standard (often histological; also invasive opening) All proximal carious lesions · Permanent molar surfaces in diagnostic accuracy studies (mostly in vitro; clinical) · All included studies, Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Specificity 90.0 [87, 92] | 38 studies | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.33 [0.33, 5.36] | 2 studies · 28 participants | Very low |
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 |
2% lidocaine, 1:50,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:80,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.65, 1.01] | 2 studies · 60 participants | Very low |
10% CP gel in tray (Opalescence) vs 10% CP gel in tray (NiteWhite Excel) Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 2 weeks Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.90, 1.18] | 1 study · 66 participants | Very low |
Enhanced one-to-one OHA vs One-to-one OHA (standard) Patient-reported behaviour changes · Children or adults (fit and healthy, or with a well-defined medical condition) One‐to‐one oral hygiene advice provided in a dental setting for oral health (2018) · Cochrane | Tedesco 1992 reported self-reported brushing and flossing behaviours and self-efficacy (Oral Health Behavior Expectation Scale); measured, not synthesised or GRADE-rated. | 1 study | Ungraded |