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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
4% prilocaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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 1.74 [1.16, 2.60] | 2 studies · 78 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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 0.97 [0.87, 1.08] | 5 studies · 248 participants | Low |
6% HP strip vs 5% CP gel in tray + 5% KN Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 1 week Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.71 [-1.35, -0.07] | 1 study · 32 participants | Very low |
PRF + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Clinical attachment level change · Adult patients with multiple 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 -0.37 [-0.69, -0.06] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · 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 | MD -0.85 [-1.26, -0.44] | 2 studies · 69 participants | Very low |
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 |
Portland cement (PC) vs Portland cement + iodoform or Portland cement + zirconium oxide Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · up to 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No events in any participant (Lourenco 2015a); not estimable | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of 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 | MD 0.19 [-2.06, 2.45] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Very low |
Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Placebo or usual care (control) Use of healthcare resources (cost effectiveness, time taken to fit, number of dental visits) · Children with high risk of dental decay Slow‐release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay (2018) · Cochrane | The study reported no data on use of healthcare resources | 0 studies | No studies |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No clinical failure in any participant (Akcay 2014); not estimable | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · 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; 147 participants, 147 interventions (2 studies); unclear whether data relate to just solution deposition. Not pooled/graded. | 2 studies · 147 participants | Ungraded |
Maxillary distraction osteogenesis vs Orthognathic surgery (conventional Le Fort I osteotomy) Psychological status: satisfaction with life (Satisfaction With Life Scale, SWLS) · Adolescents or adults (15 years or older) with an established diagnosis of complete cleft lip and alveolar process, or… · 2 years Maxillary distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for cleft lip and palate patients (2018) · Cochrane | MD 2.95 [0.14, 5.76] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Low polymerization shrinkage resin composite (silorane, ormocer, bulk-fill or other modified-monomer composite) vs Conventional methacrylate-based resin composite Marginal adaptation (clinically detectable deterioration) · People with permanent posterior teeth restored with class I or II direct restorations · 12 months, Posterior class I/II restorations in permanent teeth; multicenter randomized controlled trials conducted across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East Meta-analysis of the clinical behavior of posterior direct resin restorations: Low polymerization shrinkage… (2018) | OR 1.77 [1.25, 2.50] | 15 studies · 2280 participants | Ungraded |
Human Development Index vs Not applicable Mean DMFT · Adult participants in HDI-stratified study populations · Country-level study populations Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Mean DMFT 11.49 [9.96, 13.03] | 25 studies | 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… · Public health clinic, Giza (Cairo), Egypt, Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 39.7 [25, 56] | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Early treatment (two-phase) with functional appliance 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 -0.21 [-0.57, 0.15] | 2 studies · 225 participants | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) 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 occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Public health clinic, Giza (Cairo), Egypt, Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Positive LR 5.0 [4.3, 5.8] | 55 studies | Ungraded |
Alginate (two stage-two step final/wash impression) vs Silicone elastomer (two stage-two step) Participant preference for dentures · Completely edentulous people · 2 weeks Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane | Silicone impressions 57.7% (41 participants), alginate impressions 23.9% (17 participants); both equally satisfactory for 7 (9.9%) and equally unsatisfactory for 6 (8.5%) (McNemar chi-square 12.02, 1 df, P = 0.0005). | 1 study · 71 participants | Ungraded |
PRF + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Gingival recession depth change · Adult patients with multiple 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 -0.01 [-0.89, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with headgear Incidence of incisal trauma · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of phase I (growth modification phase) Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.76 [0.37, 1.54] | 2 studies · 285 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs 3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) 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 | No radiological failure in any participant (Aminabadi 2016); not estimable | 1 study · 160 participants | Ungraded |
Early treatment (two-phase: phase 1 in childhood, phase 2 in adolescence) with functional appliance vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with functional appliance PAR score · Children (7 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 16 years) with prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) · End of phase I (growth modification phase) Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane | MD -10.52 [-12.32, -8.71] | 2 studies · 349 participants | Ungraded |
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 · 2009, New Zealand, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 11.9 [3.7, 20.1] | 1 study · 2041 participants | Ungraded |
HP paint-on gel vs Placebo 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 | HP group had more gum irritation (reddening) than placebo though mild; one case of tooth sensitivity (Collins 2004a) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Maxillary distraction osteogenesis vs Orthognathic surgery (conventional Le Fort I osteotomy) Maxillary advancement (midfacial hard tissue change; Subspinale A-point) · Adolescents or adults (15 years or older) with an established diagnosis of complete cleft lip and alveolar process, or… · 2 years Maxillary distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for cleft lip and palate patients (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.40 [0.24, 8.56] | 1 study · 39 participants | Very low |
5.9% HP strip vs 5.9% HP paint-on gel 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 2.70 [2.08, 3.32] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · 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 |
4% SHMP chewing gum vs Placebo Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 12 weeks Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.14 [-0.38, 0.10] | 1 study · 108 participants | Very low |
10% HP strip vs 2% HP mouthwash/rinse Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 7 days Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -1.10 [-1.49, -0.71] | 1 study · 28 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 advanced proximal caries · Proximal 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) | Sensitivity 44.4 [38, 51] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
ADMG + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Sites with complete root coverage · 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 | OR 0.43 [0.13, 1.37] | 2 studies · 50 participants | Low |
EMP + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Keratinized tissue 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 -1.06 [-1.36, -0.76] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Very low |
6% / 5.3% HP strip 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 2.24 [1.83, 2.66] | 4 studies · 195 participants | Low |
Antifibrinolytic therapy - locally-applied tranexamic acid (TXA) mouthwash/solution (SoF eligibility: TXA or EACA; all included trials used topical TXA) vs Placebo (placebo solution/mouthwash) Number of participants with postoperative bleedings requiring intervention · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and… · 7 days Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane | RD -0.25 [-0.36, -0.14] | 2 studies · 128 participants | Moderate |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) NPV for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Public health clinic, Giza (Cairo), Egypt, Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | NPV 97.5 | 55 studies | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Sensitivity for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Public health clinic, Giza (Cairo), Egypt, Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 75.1 [70, 81] | 55 studies | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) 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 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) | Positive LR 12.5 [9.2, 16.9] | 50 studies | Ungraded |
6.5% HP strip vs 15% CP gel in tray Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 3 months Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 3.15 [-0.15, 6.45] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Non-rinse conditioner + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) 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 (Demir 2007); not estimable | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
6% HP strip vs 18% CP paint-on gel 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 | SMD 1.50 [1.06, 1.94] | 2 studies · 102 participants | Very low |
Medium income vs High income Mean number of decayed teeth (mean DT) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2004-2006, Australia, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.2 [0.1, 0.3] | 1 study · 5073 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 phase I (growth modification phase) Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane | MD -1.07 [-1.63, -0.51] | 2 studies · 278 participants | Ungraded |
Oral diazepam vs Placebo (including no intervention) Behaviour (Houpt/behavioural score) · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | SMD 0.62 [-0.28, 1.53] | 1 study · 20 participants | Very low |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 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 0.09 [0.01, 1.58] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Electrosurgery vs Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) 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 0.50 [0.10, 2.61] | 1 study · 102 participants | Ungraded |
Removable functional appliance vs Fixed functional appliance Incidence of incisal trauma · Adolescents (age 12 to 16 years) receiving orthodontic treatment to correct prominent upper front teeth (Class II… · End of orthodontic treatment Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane | Incidence of Incisal trauma: Not measured | NR | No studies |
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 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) | Sensitivity 50.8 [43, 59] | 36 studies | Ungraded |
Early extraction of a compromised first permanent molar vs Teeth in the same arch/patient with the first permanent molar present Caries and/or fillings in adjacent teeth · Children aged 5 to 15 years with a compromised first permanent molar · School-based survey (South Glamorgan, UK), Proximal surfaces (extraction vs FPM present; fewer decayed/filled with extraction) Consequences of early extraction of compromised first permanent molar: a systematic review. (2018) | OR 0.48 [0.33, 0.69] | 1 study | Ungraded |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · 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 |
Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Placebo or usual care (control) Participant satisfaction · Children with high risk of dental decay Slow‐release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay (2018) · Cochrane | No RCT evidence found | 0 studies | No studies |