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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Ferric sulphate (FS) 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 0.58 [0.25, 1.36] | 3 studies · 130 participants | Low |
10% 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… · 15 days Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 1.93 [1.34, 2.52] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Late treatment (one-phase) with fixed 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 -5.46 [-6.63, -4.28] | 2 studies · 61 participants | Low |
Autologous platelet concentrates (APC) + open flap debridement (OFD) vs OFD (open flap debridement) alone Pocket closure (complete pocket closure) · Patients affected by infrabony defects requiring surgical treatment, regardless of their age or gender Autologous platelet concentrates for treating periodontal infrabony defects (2018) · Cochrane | No complete pocket closure was reported (outcome addressed across included studies; no usable comparative estimate). | NR | Ungraded |
Self-management (self-administered/self-monitored OHA) vs Professional OHA Patient-reported changes in knowledge, attitudes and quality of life · 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 | Aljafari 2017 reported child's dietary knowledge; measured, not synthesised or GRADE-rated. | 1 study | Ungraded |
FMA stepwise advancement (SWG) vs FMA single step advancement (SSG) Final ANB · 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 -0.69 [-1.19, -0.19] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Duration 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 -172.61 [-239.69, -105.53] | 2 studies · 39 participants | Very low |
10% CP gel in tray vs 6% 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… · 2 weeks, medium-dark and light baseline shade Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -2.22 [-2.63, -1.81] | 2 studies | Very low |
Radiographic caries detection vs Reference standard (often histological; also invasive opening) Advanced proximal carious lesions · Permanent molar surfaces in diagnostic accuracy studies (mostly in vitro; clinical) · Egypt public health clinic, Tailored meta-analysis (Egypt) 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 |
XCM + CAF vs CAF Occurrence of adverse effects or postoperative complications · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane | Jepsen 2013: no differences regarding pain and discomfort between XCM + CAF and CAF (for all defects) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) 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 0.63 [0.23, 1.70] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
6% HP paint-on gel 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 | SMD 0.67 [0.19, 1.14] | 2 studies · 148 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 · 24 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) | Odds ratio (OR) 1.46 [0.92, 2.33] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Participant satisfaction · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
10% CP gel in tray + KN + NaF vs 10% 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… · 2 weeks Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | SMD 0.32 [-0.20, 0.84] | 2 studies · 58 participants | Very low |
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 Final ANB · 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 -0.02 [-0.47, 0.43] | 3 studies · 347 participants | Moderate |
Planned, regular routine scale and polish (6-monthly; 12-monthly parallel) vs No scheduled scale and polish treatment Tooth loss · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Total-etching 36% phosphoric acid + acetone-based total-etch adhesive 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.94] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs 1:5 diluted 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 1.86 [0.52, 6.59] | 2 studies · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide cement (Dycal) vs Calcium sulphate hemihydrate (DentoGen) 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 1.67 [0.46, 6.06] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Biodentine vs Propolis 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 0.33 [0.01, 7.81] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
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 weeks Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.25 [-0.40, -0.10] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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 0.15 [-0.42, 0.73] | 5 studies · 162 participants | Very low |
GTR rm + 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 -1.77 [-2.66, -0.89] | 3 studies · 98 participants | Very low |
Twin Block functional appliance vs Other functional appliances (Bionator, Herbst, R-appliance, Dynamax, Bite-Jumping) 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 |
Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.94] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Sealapex (eugenol-free calcium hydroxide) 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 0.20 [0.01, 3.92] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic treatment without extraction of permanent teeth vs Orthodontic treatment involving extraction of permanent teeth Number of visits to complete treatment · 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 estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
19% SPC paint-on gel 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… · 14 days Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.58 [-0.95, -0.21] | 1 study · 38 participants | Very low |
Biofunctional Prosthetic System (BPS): closed-mouth two stage-two step final impression with addition silicone elastomer vs Conventional complete denture technique (CCD): open-mouth two stage-two step conventional technique using elastomer Participant preference for dentures · Completely edentulous people · 3 months Final‐impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures (2018) · Cochrane | When participants were asked which denture they would prefer to use long term, nine out of 10 opted for the one made with the BPS complete denture technique. | 1 study · 10 participants | Ungraded |
Post-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 · 2004-2006, Australia, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 4.1 [2.0, 6.3] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride in varnish vs Fluoride in rinse 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 |
EMP + CAF vs CAF Clinical attachment level change (short and medium term) · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short and medium term (6 to 24 months) Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.35 [0.09, 0.61] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) vs Formocresol (FC) 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 1.67 [0.71, 3.89] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
4% prilocaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% prilocaine plain Success of local anaesthesia (clinical/EPT; orphan data) · 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 | No data available for meta-analysis; data summarized in Table 5 (orphan). Not pooled/graded. | NR | Ungraded |
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) Amount of postoperative blood loss (mL) · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and… Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
10% 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… · day 8 Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane | MD 2.24 [1.72, 2.76] | 1 study · 36 participants | Very low |
STPP chewing gum 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 | Not reported | NR | No studies |
Diode laser vs Electrosurgery Radiological 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 0.64 [0.19, 2.18] | 2 studies · 50 participants | Low |
Oral 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 1.96 [1.59, 2.33] | 6 studies · 202 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Dental caries (presence; primary or permanent dentition) · Trim-and-fill adjusted (publication-bias sensitivity) Association between passive tobacco exposure and caries in children and adolescents. A systematic review and… (2018) | OR 1.50 [1.36, 1.64] | 21 studies | Ungraded |
Self-management (self-administered/self-monitored OHA) vs Professional OHA Periodontal health: plaque levels · Children or adults (fit and healthy, or with a well-defined medical condition) · 2 to 6 months One‐to‐one oral hygiene advice provided in a dental setting for oral health (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: 2 studies reported no significant differences but no usable data; 1 study gave weak evidence of a benefit in plaque reduction at 3 months for self-management; 1 study in adults with hyposalivation gave very weak… | 4 studies · 181 participants | Very low |
Maxillary distraction osteogenesis vs Orthognathic surgery (conventional Le Fort I osteotomy) Speech: nasal emission · Adolescents or adults (15 years or older) with an established diagnosis of complete cleft lip and alveolar process, or… · 17 months Maxillary distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for cleft lip and palate patients (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.14, 66.53] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Non-rinse conditioner + 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 |
Low level of schooling (>33.60% of the population) vs Not applicable Mean DMFT · Adult participants in 25 meta-regression studies · Country-level study populations, Model 1 adjusted Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient 7.205453 | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection vs Reference standard (often histological; also invasive opening) Advanced occlusal 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 90.9 [88, 93] | 94 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 orthodontic treatment (phase II) Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.27 [-0.8, 0.26] | 2 studies · 231 participants | Low |
Fluoride in varnish vs Placebo 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 |
Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement 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, 69.70] | 1 study · 42 participants | Very low |
Routine scale and polish provided by a dentist vs Routine scale and polish provided by a dental care professional (dental therapist or hygienist) Costs (NHS perspective) · Dentate adults without severe periodontitis, regularly attending for dental care in primary care (UK general dental… Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |