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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer cement vs Light-cured compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin) Band failure (band adhesive loosening) · 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 | Fricker 1997 was a three-arm split-mouth trial that included a light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer arm (compared with light-cured compomer and chemically cured glass ionomer). Failure rates were reported but not… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -27.91 [-40.10, -15.72] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Post‐treatment communication (text messaging) vs No communication (no text message) Adverse effects of pain treatment · People undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -10.63 [-22.33, 1.07] | 2 studies · 118 participants | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -1.39 [-3.24, 0.64] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -6.50 [-17.64, 4.64] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Chemically cured zinc phosphate cement vs Chemically cured glass ionomer cement Band failure (band adhesive loosening) · 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 | No meta-analysis (band failure not reported on a per-patient basis). Durning 1989 (69 participants): at ~12 months failure rate 34.78% (zinc phosphate) vs 26% (glass ionomer), P > 0.05; mean survival time 470.9 vs… | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -29.16 [-51.67, -6.65] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -15.17 [-32.44, 2.11] | 2 studies · 96 participants | Ungraded |
Post‐treatment communication (text messaging) vs No communication (no text message) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment · Up to 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief: VAS (1 mm to 100 mm) ‐ 24 hours. Assumed risk: Not measured. Corresponding risk: not estimable. 39 participants (1 RCT). Quality: very low. Comments: insufficient… | 1 study · 39 participants | Very low |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD 1.28 [-3.16, 5.71] | 3 studies · 154 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc polycarboxylate cement vs Any other orthodontic band adhesive Outcome NR · Patients with full arch fixed orthodontic appliances with bands attached to molars (patients with cleft lip/palate or… Adhesives for fixed orthodontic bands (2016) · Cochrane | No trial was identified that examined the effectiveness of zinc polycarboxylate cement. | 0 studies | No studies |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs No special instructions (control) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects for CBT: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Chemically cured glass ionomer cement vs Chemically cured glass phosphonate 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 | Clark 2003: no statistically significant difference in taste between the two cements (glass ionomer vs glass phosphonate); authors caution the finding because both cements were used at the same sitting, so the taste of… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -4.72 [-15.83, 6.39] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Chemically cured zinc phosphate cement vs Chemically cured glass ionomer cement Decalcification (demineralisation around bands) · 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 | No statistical analysis. Kvam 1983 (28 participants): 4 teeth affected by small decalcification spots (reversed by polishing and fluoride), all with the zinc phosphate cement. Galarraga 2003 (40 participants): 8… | 2 studies · 68 participants | Ungraded |
Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control) Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects for BWM: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Acupuncture/acupressure vs Placebo or no intervention Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People of any age undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Psychological intervention: structured telephone call (verbal follow‐up and reassurance) vs Placebo or no intervention Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People of any age undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Ice/cryotherapy vs Placebo or no intervention Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People of any age undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Dose/intensity and frequency of pain relief needed (analgesic/rescue medication use) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.44, 0.92] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -0.52 [-9.41, 8.36] | 2 studies · 115 participants | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -15.38 [-28.90, -1.86] | 2 studies · 96 participants | Very low |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 7 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -6.39 [-8.65, -4.13] | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -20.67 [-32.12, -9.22] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Chemically cured glass ionomer cement vs Light-cured compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin) Decalcification (enamel white spot lesions) · 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 | Gillgrass 2001 (98 participants): comparison of change in mean enamel white spot lesion scores during treatment showed no statistically significant difference between chemically cured glass ionomer and light-cured… | 1 study · 98 participants | Ungraded |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · Months 1 to 4, Longer-term follow-up Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Lobre 2015 (high risk of bias): mean overall pain intensity 8.49 mm lower on the VAS during the second month (P = 0.04) and 6.26 mm lower during the fourth month (P = 0.03); no evidence of benefit at month one or month… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Quality of life or patient satisfaction · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | RR 0.45 [0.22, 0.94] | 2 studies · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: Not measured. | NR | No studies |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD 0.82 [-5.12, 8.76] | 3 studies · 154 participants | Ungraded |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 to 54 hours, Studies using bespoke pain scales Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Two further studies (160 participants) used bespoke assessments. Harazaki 1997 (84 participants): slightly lower proportion reporting severe pain in the intervention group, no inferential statistics. Turhani 2006 (76… | 2 studies · 160 participants | Ungraded |
Chemically cured glass ionomer cement vs Chemically cured glass phosphonate Band failure (band adhesive loosening) · 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 | Clark 2003: failure rates presented per adhesive group by number of bands failing (overall proportion of band failure 0.048 for each material); no per-patient failure data. Low band failure rates; insufficient evidence… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD 1.32 [-11.79, 14.43] | 3 studies · 154 participants | Very low |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -10.76 [-13.80, -7.73] | 2 studies · 118 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc silicophosphate cement vs Any other orthodontic band adhesive Outcome NR · Patients with full arch fixed orthodontic appliances with bands attached to molars (patients with cleft lip/palate or… Adhesives for fixed orthodontic bands (2016) · Cochrane | No trial was identified that examined the effectiveness of zinc silicophosphate cement. | 0 studies | No studies |
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Placebo (or no irradiation) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -20.27 [-24.50, -16.04] | 2 studies · 118 participants | Low |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Dose/intensity and frequency of pain relief needed (analgesic/rescue medication use) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours to 1 week Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Benson 2012 (57 participants): no statistically significant difference in analgesic consumption at 24 hours (P = 0.903) or one week (P = 0.104). | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 24 hours Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -26.65 [-39.06, -14.24] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) vs Placebo or no intervention Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People of any age undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 days Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | MD -23.44 [-36.82, -10.06] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct) Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment · 1 day, Bite wafer subgroup (median data, opposite direction) Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment (2016) · Cochrane | Otasevic 2006 (84 participants) presented median values only and reported higher median pain in the bite wafer group than the group who avoided chewing at one day (P = 0.006); data not suitable for meta‐analysis. | 1 study · 84 participants | Ungraded |
Chemically cured glass ionomer cement vs Light-cured compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin) Band failure (band adhesive loosening) · 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 | No meta-analysis. Fricker 1997: failure data not presented in an analysable format (number of bands or failures per person not given). Gillgrass 2001 (98 participants; 140 band pairs): 4 single-band failures with… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Orthodontic appliances (palatal crib) vs No treatment Occlusion (change in maxillary arch length, short term) · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) · Short term (3 months) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | Table 1 (reduction in malocclusion), Villa 1997 (n=24), palatal crib vs no treatment: change in maxillary arch length (mm) - no treatment 0.01 (SD 0.33); palatal crib -1.4 (SD 1.4); reported as statistically… | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic appliances (palatal arch/palatal crib) vs No treatment Adverse events · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | SoF (orthodontic appliances vs no treatment): Adverse events - insufficient information reported. Table 3 (adverse outcomes after one month; Haryett 1967), orthodontic treatment group: reported upset 6/22 (27%); speech… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Orthodontic appliances (palatal crib) vs No treatment Sucking cessation (long term) · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) · Long term (12 months or more) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | RR 5.81 [1.49, 22.66] | 1 study · 37 participants | Ungraded |
Repositioning of ankylosed teeth after osteotomy followed or not by distraction osteogenesis, or after luxation vs Conventional orthodontic treatment or follow-up with no specific treatment for ankylosis Outcome NR · Any patient with ankylosis and displacement of permanent front teeth diagnosed by clinical and radiographic… Interventions for treating traumatised ankylosed permanent front teeth (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Palatal arch vs Palatal crib (alternative orthodontic appliance) Sucking cessation (short term) · Children with a non-nutritive sucking habit (digit or pacifier) · Short term (less than 12 months) Interventions for the cessation of non‐nutritive sucking habits in children (2015) · Cochrane | RR 0.13 [0.03, 0.59] | 1 study · 22 participants | Very low |
Fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment incorporating surgically assisted orthodontics (adjunctive surgical procedure: corticotomy, micro-osteoperforation or interseptal bone reduction) to increase the rate of tooth movement vs Conventional treatment: fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment without surgical assistance Duration of orthodontic treatment, number of visits during active treatment (scheduled and unscheduled) and duration of visits · Individuals of any age receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (braces) (people requiring orthodontic… Surgical adjunctive procedures for accelerating orthodontic treatment (2015) · Cochrane | SoF row: Illustrative comparative risks '‐' / '‐'; no relative effect; Comments: 'Not reported'. Results: 'Our prespecified primary outcome (the duration of orthodontic treatment, number of visits during active… | 0 studies | No studies |