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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Ball (stud) attachment system vs Telescopic attachment system Prosthodontic maintenance: reline of implant overdenture (short term) · Edentulous adults receiving mandibular implant overdentures (opposing conventional complete maxillary dentures) · Short term (1 to 3 years) Interventions for replacing missing teeth: attachment systems for implant overdentures in edentulous jaws (2018) · Cochrane | RR 2.33 [0.81, 6.76] | 1 study · 22 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 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: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
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 · 2007-2009, Canada, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.4 [0.2, 0.5] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth (removable, fixed, or functional braces, or headgear) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment) Dento-occlusal results of treatment, measured with the PAR index · Children (80% aged <= 16 years) with a Class II division 2 malocclusion (deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth) Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children (2018) · Cochrane | No data are available as no RCTs or CCTs have been conducted. | 0 studies | No studies |
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 |
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs SCTG + 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 -2.38 [-2.84, -1.92] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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 |
Diode laser vs Formocresol (FC) 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 0.33 [0.01, 7.95] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Simvastatin 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 0.17 [0.04, 0.70] | 1 study · 160 participants | Low |
0.5% bupivacaine, 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 0.80 [0.62, 1.05] | 3 studies · 90 participants | Low |
Personalised one-to-one OHA vs Routine one-to-one OHA Periodontal health: plaque levels · 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: 1 study showed a benefit for personalised OHA at 3 and 12 months; 1 study in children reported 'statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvement' but no usable data; 1 study showed little or no difference at 3… | 3 studies · 308 participants | Very low |
Activator functional appliance vs Fixed functional appliance (FORSUS FRD EZ) Final overjet · 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 | MD 2.19 [0.58, 3.8] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Conventional restorative treatment with resin composite (CRT-RC) vs Sealing (resin sealant over caries) Caries lesion arrestment · Children with dentin caries lesions in the outer half of dentin on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth · Mixed follow-up (6 months to 1.5 years; pooled), Dental clinic; children in Brazil (Borges 2012, Hesse 2014) Scientific evidence for the management of dentin caries lesions in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review… (2018) | RR 1.02 [0.96, 1.08] | 2 studies · 66 participants | 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) Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and 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 40.5 [33, 48] | 34 studies | Ungraded |
Early treatment (two-phase) with headgear vs Late treatment (one-phase in adolescence) with headgear Final ANB · 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 -0.72 [-1.18, -0.27] | 2 studies · 277 participants | Ungraded |
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Non-rinse conditioner + acetone-based total-etch adhesive Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6, 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 |
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) Specificity for detecting all (initial and advanced) proximal caries · Proximal 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) | Specificity 92.5 [91, 94] | 31 studies | Ungraded |
Populations with a low level of schooling (>=33.60% of the population with low schooling) vs Populations with a higher level of schooling (<33.60% of the population with low schooling) 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), Higher schooling (<33.60% with low schooling) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 11.95 [7.26, 16.64] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 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 -0.63 [-1.69, 0.42] | 6 studies · 202 participants | Very low |
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 |
Populations with low socioeconomic status (>=22.4% of the population with low SES) vs Populations with higher socioeconomic status (<22.4% of the population with low SES) 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), Higher SES (<22.4% with low SES) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 5.50 [-1.04, 12.03] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported; 100% success in all studies) · 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 | 'Other comparisons with 100% success': IANB - Sampaio 2012 35/35 vs 35/35; Fernandez 2005 39/39 vs 39/39. Both formulations 100% successful; no meta-analysis (no difference). | 2 studies · 74 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) 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 1.20 [0.42, 3.43] | 1 study · 50 participants | 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 |
Fluorides combined with CPP-ACP vs Fluorides alone (monotherapy) Total lesion area divided by total surface area (visual) · Patients with early caries lesions in permanent teeth (non-fluoridated water area) · Post-treatment (8-24 weeks), In vivo clinical trial (human oral cavity; smooth-surface early caries lesions; visual measurement), Location of lesions: smooth surfaces Efficacy of fluorides and CPP-ACP vs fluorides monotherapy on early caries lesions: A systematic review and… (2018) | MD 4.37 [-0.51, 9.26] | 2 studies | 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 · 2004-2006, Australia, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 3.1 [0.9, 5.2] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition), Heft-Parker VAS 0-170 mm · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · 0-1 minute following needle insertion Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.74 [-1.98, 11.46] | 3 studies · 157 participants | Moderate |
Low income vs High income Prevalence of untreated decay (% DT > 0) · 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 17.46 [8.00, 26.92] | 1 study · 2041 participants | Ungraded |
Low 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 · 2007-2009, Canada, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 16.91 [8.91, 24.91] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
HP strip vs HP mouthwash 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 | Tooth sensitivity and oral irritation more common in strip group; all mild (Gerlach 2005) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Secondary 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 · 2009, New Zealand, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 6.7 [-1.3, 14.7] | 1 study · 2041 participants | Ungraded |
EMP + 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 0.35 [0.13, 0.56] | 3 studies · 136 participants | Low |
GTR rm + CAF vs SCTG + CAF Patients' preference for a specific procedure · 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 | Wang 2001: participants reported greater overall satisfaction with GTR rm than SCTG (reduced treatment time, no need for a second surgical site) | 1 study | 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) Specificity 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) | Specificity 77.0 [73, 81] | 51 studies | Ungraded |
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs GTR rm + CAF Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · 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 | Aesthetic condition change was not reported for this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Ferric sulphate (FS) 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 0.52 [0.20, 1.39] | 3 studies · 130 participants | Very low |
Intravenous midazolam 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 1.21 [0.24, 2.18] | 1 study · 20 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 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) | Negative LR 0.58 [0.52, 0.65] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + calcium hydroxide vs Formocresol (FC) 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 (Fernandes 2015); not estimable | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Populations with low socioeconomic status (>=22.4% of the population with low SES) vs Populations with higher socioeconomic status (<22.4% of the population with low SES) 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), Adjusted (Model 2) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient 10.35391 | NR | Ungraded |
Non-surgical technique A vs Non-surgical technique B Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Late treatment (one-phase) with removable functional appliance vs No treatment Final overjet · 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 | MD -4.62 [-5.33, -3.92] | 3 studies · 122 participants | Low |
1.5% HP + 0.05% HF mouthwash vs Placebo Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 6 months Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | OR 10.89 [5.08, 23.35] | 1 study · 78 participants | Very low |
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 |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) + 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 8.00 [1.06, 60.21] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
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 |
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs 1:5 diluted formocresol (FC) 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 3.00 [0.13, 70.30] | 2 studies · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Artesunate vs Quinine Death · Patients with severe malaria · Network meta-regression covariate: average age (years) Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
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 |