Gap finder

Search review questions

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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

866 questions in 43 reviews · Oral and maxillofacial surgery

current versions
No studies 188 · 21.7%Ungraded 548 · 63.3%Very low 81 · 9.4%Low 37 · 4.3%Moderate 8 · 0.9%High 4 · 0.5%

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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Change in the sagittal position of the upper first molars · Children with palatally displaced maxillary canines (at least 80% aged 10 to 13 years); trials with craniofacial… · At least 6 months follow-up after the intervention
Extraction of primary (baby) teeth for unerupted palatally displaced permanent canine teeth in children (2012) · Cochrane
Change in the sagittal position of the upper first molars (Baccetti 2008 only): average sagittal displacement was 2.65 mm in the extraction-only group and 2.32 mm in the untreated control group (0.24 mm in the…1 studyUngraded
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Prevalence of eruption/non-eruption of the palatally displaced permanent canine (successful eruption) · Children with palatally displaced maxillary canines (at least 80% aged 10 to 13 years); trials with craniofacial… · At least 6 months follow-up after the intervention
Extraction of primary (baby) teeth for unerupted palatally displaced permanent canine teeth in children (2012) · Cochrane
Narrative summary (data not poolable, not GRADE-rated). Leonardi 2004: successful eruption of the permanent canine 50% in the extraction-only group, which was not significantly greater than the success rate in…2 studies · 70 participantsUngraded
Glucosamine sulfate (oral) vs Ibuprofen (oral)
Pain during function (proportion without significant improvement) · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria · 90 days
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
Six participants in the glucosamine group did not experience significant improvement in TMJ pain compared with seven in the ibuprofen group (Analysis 3.1); Fisher's exact test P = 0.73 (not significant, per the authors).1 study · 45 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Clinical assessment: alveolar ridge healing (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.90 [0.64, 1.16]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Secondary alveolar bone grafting performed at one timing (e.g. early secondary grafting) vs Secondary alveolar bone grafting performed at a different / optimal timing (e.g. late secondary grafting)
Outcome NR · Patients greater than 5 years of age with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and/or palate involving the alveolar…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
Furthermore, no RCTs were found to study the optimal timing ... with secondary bone grafting surgery. This systematic review has not been able to report all the objectives described in the protocol.0 studiesNo studies
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding
Weight (kg) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 6 weeks post-surgery
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.47 [0.20, 0.74]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Maternal advice and support (feeding techniques/breastfeeding positions) vs Usual care (no additional advice/support)
Outcome NR · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or…
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
No trials were identified that examined the effect of additional maternal support or advice during breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding); no studies evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention (plain-language summary…0 studiesNo studies
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Radiographic assessment: periapical film (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… · 1 year
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.60 [0.30, 0.90]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding
Duration of hospital stay (days) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Duration of hospital stay (days): no statistically significant difference between the two groups (Darzi 1996); no pooled estimate displayed (totals not selected).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Energy and protein intake · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 3 to 6 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Mean energy and protein intakes (Brine 1994): statistically significant difference for protein intake at 3 and 6 months in favour of the squeezable bottle (P < 0.05); possibly confounded by four infants receiving a…1 study · 37 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Tenderness on palpation in jaw muscles (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 2.00 [0.20, 19.98]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate
Weight (kg) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 12 months (351 to 379 days)
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.10 [-0.53, 0.73]2 studies · 50 participantsUngraded
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Weight (kg) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · >6 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD -0.15 [-0.53, 0.22]2 studies · 130 participantsUngraded
Secondary alveolar bone grafting with a given sequence of orthodontic treatment (e.g. orthodontics before grafting) vs Secondary alveolar bone grafting with a different sequence of orthodontic treatment (e.g. orthodontics after grafting)
Outcome NR · Patients greater than 5 years of age with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and/or palate involving the alveolar…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
No RCTs were found to study ... the sequence of orthodontic treatment with secondary bone grafting surgery.0 studiesNo studies
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Reliability of feeding method (number of times bottle modified) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · up to 12 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Number of times a bottle had to be modified by the health visitor: 25/52 (48%) for rigid bottles versus 4/49 (8%) for squeezable bottles (Shaw 1999), P < 0.05 (favours squeezable). Six babies randomised to the rigid…1 study · 101 participantsUngraded
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding
Adverse events (wound dehiscence; lip scar hypertrophy) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Adverse events: one wound dehiscence and one hypertrophy of the lip scar, both in spoon-fed infants (Darzi 1996).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Length of hospital stay (days) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD -1.40 [-1.92, -0.88]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Tenderness on palpation in TMJ (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.65 [0.10, 4.04]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate
Head circumference (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 12 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.25 [-1.03, 1.53]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Radiographic assessment: coronal bone volume (cm3) · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 42.62 [20.99, 64.25]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Postoperative complication: persistent oronasal fistula · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.23]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Postoperative complication: wound infection · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 3.23 [0.14, 100]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Length (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · >6 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.21 [-0.72, 1.14]2 studies · 130 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Maximum protrusion over 5 mm (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.12 [0.01, 2.09]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Interincisal opening over 35 mm (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 1.31 [0.31, 5.60]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding
Cost of hospitalisation · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Average total cost of hospitalisation: 98 Indian rupees (breastfeeding) versus 156 Indian rupees (spoon-feeding) (Darzi 1996).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Radiographic assessment: three-dimensional CT scan (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… · 1 year
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.90 [0.41, 1.39]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Arthrocentesis
Maximum interincisal opening (mm) after 12 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
MD 5.28 [3.46, 7.10]2 studies · 81 participantsUngraded
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate
Length (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 2 to 6 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD -1.05 [-2.20, 0.11]2 studies · 74 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Number of participants discharged on the same day as surgery · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 201 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Clinical evaluations 12 months after surgery (6 pooled clinical signs) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 1.0 [0.45, 2.21]2 studies · 240 participantsUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Radiographic assessment: coronal bone density (Hounsfield units) · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 150.89 [3.45, 298.33]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Quality of life and parental satisfaction (crying, feeding, sleeping, playing time; 24-hour parental log) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · up to 12 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Quality of life and adverse events (crying, feeding, sleeping and playing time, 24-hour parental log; Shaw 1999): no statistically significant differences between bottle types. Parental satisfaction also reported.1 study · 101 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Nonsurgical treatment
Pain after 6 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 6 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
SMD 0.004 [-0.46, 0.55]2 studies · 62 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Pain (VAS/SSI) after 12 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
SMD 0.45 [0.01, 0.89]3 studies · 81 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Clinical assessment: nasal alar base augmentation (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.20 [-0.01, 0.41]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Arthrocentesis
Pain (VAS) after 12 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.10 [-1.46, 1.66]2 studies · 81 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Crepitation (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.45 [0.08, 2.60]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Click (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 9.35 [0.85, 102.30]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Postoperative complication: wound dehiscence · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.04, 3.03]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Radiographic assessment: Panorex scan (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… · 1 year
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.90 [0.41, 1.39]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle
Head circumference (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · >6 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD -0.66 [-1.16, -0.17]2 studies · 130 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Postoperative complication: (partial) loss of bone graft · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.12 [0.01, 1.89]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Mandibular functionality (MFIQ) after 12 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
MD 1.58 [-0.78, 3.94]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction)
Major complications at the implant site · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 5 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane
RR 4.20 [1.01, 17.43]1 study · 46 participantsUngraded
Oral glucosamine hydrochloride/chondroitin sulphate vs Placebo
Pain on TMJ palpation (ordinal scale) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 3 months
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
MD -0.30 [-3.09, 2.49]1 study · 45 participantsUngraded
Topical capsaicin (0.025% cream) vs Placebo
Adverse events (withdrawals due to adverse effects) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 4 weeks
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
Three participants from the topical capsaicin group withdrew from the study by Winocur et al 2000 due to the severity of the burning sensation and redness.1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance
Patient quality of life · Adults aged 18 years or older with clinically diagnosed TMD (exhibiting two or more of the listed signs and/or symptoms) · At least 6 months after the intervention
Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (2010) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Oral gabapentin (anticonvulsant) vs Placebo
Adverse events (withdrawals due to adverse effects) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 12 weeks
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
Four of the participants withdrew from the study by Kimos et al 2007 due to adverse effects, but neither the type of adverse effect nor the trial group was specified.1 study · 44 participantsUngraded
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier
Bone gain (horizontal - HDD) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 3 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane
No statistically significant differences in bone gain between the two procedures for horizontal depth of the defect (HDD) (Chen 2007).1 study · 20 participantsUngraded