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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Mean gestational age (weeks) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | Six studies (2573 participants) reported mean gestational age in weeks; data not pooled due to skewness; mean difference ranged between -0.1 and 1.4 weeks. Two studies reported gestational age as time-to-event data… | 6 studies · 2573 participants | Ungraded |
ART using high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (H-GIC), hand instruments vs Conventional treatment using H-GIC (rotary instruments) Adverse events · People with dental caries in primary teeth (mainly children) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | Adverse events: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
ART using resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) vs Conventional treatment using RM-GIC Costs (direct and indirect) · Older adults with root caries in permanent (mature) teeth (mean age 75 years) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | No studies reported on costs for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 24 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -21.19 [-28.31, -14.06] | 12 studies · 1012 participants | Moderate |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults receiving bone marrow/stem cell transplantation after conditioning therapy for haematological cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.43 [0.24, 0.79] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (pressed veneering ceramic) vs Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (layered veneering ceramic) Aesthetic evaluation · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit tooth-supported fixed dental prosthesis Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | No comparative data were presented with regard to aesthetics. Aesthetics evaluated by the patient was reported dichotomously (yes/no) in the trial but no between-group estimate was presented. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Placebo or no treatment Missing primary surfaces (ms) · Pregnant women (for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children) Fluoride supplementation (with tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) in pregnant women for preventing… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Metal-free implant abutments (zirconia) vs Metal implant abutments (titanium) Gingival/mucosal recession (REC) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown on… · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.22, 0.22] | 2 studies · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Treatment time: time from surgical exposure to eruption/bonding a bracket · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Exposure to bonding Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD -3.81 [-5.80, -1.82] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Caries on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (48-54 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 48-54 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.21 [0.16, 0.28] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Salivary flow rate (unstimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · Up to and including 3 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.23, 0.11] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Amifostine 200 mg/m2 three times weekly vs Amifostine 200 mg/m2 five times weekly Survival (overall survival and locoregional control) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Insufficient evidence reported on overall survival or locoregional tumour control (Analysis 4.2; 4.3) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Postoperative pain during the immediate recovery period (VAS 0 to 10) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · 2 weeks (immediate recovery period) Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.77 [-1.92, 0.38] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Quality of life · Adults with cancer receiving treatment Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome (planned secondary outcome not measured by any study in the review) | 0 studies | No studies |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Costs (fixation materials, hospital bed days, retreatment) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported on the cost incurred in the treatment. | 0 studies | No studies |
Biperiden plus pilocarpine vs No treatment Side effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data were reported on side effects. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response (pain/discomfort reported soon after surgery) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 1 to 10 days postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | SoF (Patient response, pain and discomfort reported in different ways between 1 to 10 days postoperatively): 'This outcome was measured in a variety of ways in the studies that cannot be pooled'; quality very low… | 2 studies | Very low |
ART using composite resin vs Conventional treatment using composite resin Pain · Children with dental caries in primary teeth (mean age 7 years) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | Pain: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia DMFT index (mean) · Older people (aged 60 years or older) with dementia · Older people aged 60 years or older; community-dwelling, assisted-living, and nursing-home settings Oral health and orofacial pain in older people with dementia: a systematic review with focus on dental hard… (2017) | no estimate extracted | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) Locoregional tumour control · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 48 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | HR 1.34 [0.76, 2.36] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Cost (mean per-patient supportive care costs) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · End of RT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Mean per-patient supportive care costs lower with amifostine (USD 4401) than control (USD 5873); P = 0.02 (Buntzel 1998 / Bennett 2001) | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal position in the dental arch · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · End of treatment Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.39 [0.52, 10.99] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia Denture use (prevalence) · Older people (aged 60 years or older) with dementia · Older people aged 60 years or older; community-dwelling, assisted-living, and nursing-home settings Oral health and orofacial pain in older people with dementia: a systematic review with focus on dental hard… (2017) | no estimate extracted | 12 studies | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | In one study, one participant (<1%) in the paracetamol group experienced drug hypersensitivity (a 'red, blotchy and itchy rash') that resolved without treatment within 1 week (Bradley 2007 / McAlinden 2005); 1 RCT;… | 1 study | Very low |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Caries on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (12 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 12 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.17 [0.10, 0.30] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
One type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes (chemically-cured composite, light-cured composite, conventional glass ionomer, poly-acid modified composite/compomer, or resin-modified glass ionomer) vs Any other type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes First-time bond failure · Participants with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) with molar tubes bonded to first or second permanent… Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (objective, LENT-SOMA scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 6 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-0.69, -0.11] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, or polaprezinc) vs Placebo Taste acuity improvement - objective outcome (continuous) - individual taste sensations · Patients with taste disturbances (dysgeusia/hypogeusia; idiopathic, zinc-deficient, or secondary to chronic renal… · Chronic renal failure Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Results (Mahajan 1980, chronic renal failure; Analysis 1.3): mean difference by taste sensation - salt MD 285 (95% CI 238.75 to 331.25); sweet MD 190 (142.36 to 237.64); sour MD 10 (-16.43 to 36.43); bitter MD 2.40… | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Placebo or no treatment Children with caries in the primary teeth at 5 years · Pregnant women (for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children) · 5 years Fluoride supplementation (with tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) in pregnant women for preventing… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.84 [0.53, 1.33] | 1 study · 798 participants | Very low |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Analgesic medication used (type, dose, frequency) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | No data available for this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Adverse effects of therapy · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | 0% in both groups; Not estimated; 2389 participants (4 RCTs) | 4 studies · 2389 participants | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 6 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD -5.17 [-11.71, 1.37] | 7 studies · 664 participants | Low |
Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (pressed veneering ceramic) vs Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (layered veneering ceramic) Periodontal/peri-implant status (secondary outcomes) · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit tooth-supported fixed dental prosthesis Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | No comparative data were presented for the pre-specified secondary outcomes. The trial analyzed and reported plaque index, bleeding on probing and pocket probing depth but no between-group estimate was presented in the… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No salivary flow rate data related to routes of administration of amifostine were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Adverse effects (other reported events) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Alopecia, skin toxicity, hot flush, drowsiness, sneezing, hiccupping, dizziness and fatigue reported narratively or only for the amifostine group; insufficient evidence of a difference | NR | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-4 scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · End of RT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.35 [0.19, 0.67] | 3 studies · 119 participants | Low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Preterm birth < 32 weeks · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.35 [0.78, 2.32] | 3 studies · 2755 participants | Very low |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Rescue analgesia · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | Use of rescue analgesia recorded in 7 studies; only 2 reported counts (Tuncer 2014: 2 participants; Bruno 2011: 6 participants); no class/dose/timing reported; not pooled. SoF cell: 'Not reported'. | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Allergic response (adverse effect) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 7.51 [1.40, 40.39] | 3 studies · 524 participants | Low |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Re-operation and revision rate / plate removal (adverse effect) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | Plate removal rates were 1.53% (3/196) of the titanium plates and 3.63% (6/165) of the resorbable ones. Out of a total of nine, two in each group were removed because of plate exposure, one patient in the titanium and… | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Adverse events · Adults with cancer receiving treatment Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | Limited evidence of adverse events for G-CSF; 2 of 6 studies did not report; low rates of mild to moderate events, most commonly bone pain (SoF comments cell, not GRADE-rated) | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene oral rinse Taste disturbance (severe, > 2 on 0-3 scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · Over RT period Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.12 [0.02, 0.83] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg) Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Palifermin vs Placebo Adverse effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No evidence of a difference in reported adverse events across the three trials (nausea, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue and others) | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Metal-free implant abutments (zirconia) vs Metal implant abutments (titanium) Abutment failure · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown on… · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 7.63 [0.33, 177.14] | 2 studies · 47 participants | Very low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: bleeding on probing (Papilla Bleeding Index) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 3 months post-debond Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.21 [-0.14, 0.56] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |