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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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

75,239 questions in 5,342 reviews

current versions
No studies 15,213 · 20.2%Ungraded 10,323 · 13.7%Very low 17,528 · 23.3%Low 17,951 · 23.9%Moderate 11,190 · 14.9%High 3,034 · 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 4 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 4 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 86 [78, 93]3 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 95 [91, 98]9 studiesUngraded
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash vs Glycerin mouthwash
Improvement in dry mouth ('excellent benefit', dichotomous) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
RR 3.95 [1.17, 13.36]1 study · 148 participantsUngraded
Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray (MouthKote)
Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
MD -0.01 [-0.03, 0.02]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products
Salivary flow (stimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
No product had a long-term effect on stimulated whole saliva production.1 study · 106 participantsUngraded
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.48, 0.92]7 studies · 428 participantsModerate
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/no treatment
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.71, 1.17]5 studies · 234 participantsUngraded
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Harms and adverse effects · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
Not estimable (5 studies). Adverse effects were assessed in five studies, but they used different outcome measures, so meta-analysis was not appropriate. The main harm identified was soft-tissue trauma to the gingival…5 studiesUngraded
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 1 year, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 1.00 [0.99, 1.00]4 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator
Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 1 year, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 75 [51, 91]3 studiesUngraded
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
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Gingivitis (Gingival Index, 0-3 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 3 months
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.41 [-0.68, -0.14]6 studies · 656 participantsUngraded
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs
Oral health (dentition and gingival scores) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
CMC/sorbitol also improved dentition and gingival scores; no supporting data presented.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Polaprezinc vs Azulene
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.82 [0.63, 1.06]1 study · 31 participantsUngraded
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 2 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 2 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.82 [0.77, 0.86]2 studiesUngraded
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)
Caries increment on deciduous tooth surfaces (dmfs) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane
PF 0.73 [0.46, 0.99]1 study · 115 participantsVery low
Shenqi-fanghou vs No treatment
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.2 [0.11, 0.36]1 study · 140 participantsUngraded
Keratinocyte GF vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.74 [0.62, 0.89]7 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 2 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 62 [51, 73]6 studiesUngraded
Histamine gel vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.35 [0.91, 1.99]1 study · 39 participantsUngraded
CMC spray / aloe vera gel / canola oil spray vs Mucin spray (and between each other)
Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
No significant difference in patient preference between the treatments (Chi2 3.67, df=3; P = 0.30).1 study · 123 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
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.47, 1.24]4 studies · 454 participantsLow
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
Shenqi-fanghou vs No treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.51 [0.38, 0.68]1 study · 140 participantsUngraded
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.57 [0.2, 1.66]1 study · 42 participantsUngraded
Aloe vera vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.74 [0.58, 0.96]2 studies · 119 participantsUngraded
Reservoir biteguard device releasing a saliva substitute (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) vs Biteguard without reservoir (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana)
Xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.06 [-0.48, 0.37]1 study · 86 participantsUngraded
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening)
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.7 [0.48, 1.01]1 study · 177 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
Mucoadhesive disk (carbomer/triglycerides + antimicrobial agents) vs Placebo disk
Xerostomia (oral dryness/moistness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Kerr 2010 (crossover, high risk of bias): no difference in oral dryness between active and placebo disks; increase in subjective oral moistness with both, persisting up to 2 weeks after last use (likely carryover);…1 studyUngraded
Cognitive behavioural (group psychotherapy) therapy vs Placebo pill
Improvement in burning mouth symptoms · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Not specified
Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.77 [0.98, 3.21]1 studyUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 86 [59, 98]3 studiesUngraded
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
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 6 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 6 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 72 [67, 76]2 studiesUngraded
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray
Xerostomia (mouth dryness, VAS/scale) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.11 [-0.33, 0.11]2 studiesUngraded
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 4 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 4 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.93 [0.91, 0.96]2 studiesUngraded
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
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities (children) · 1 year, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.71 [0.60, 0.80]8 studiesUngraded
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 3 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 3 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.72 [0.72, 0.86]2 studiesUngraded
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water)
Xerostomia (dry mouth symptoms) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Persson 2007 (crossover, n=14, institutionalised elderly): no dry mouth symptom data after treatment were presented.1 study · 14 participantsUngraded
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device)
Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
More participants preferred the intraoral device (66%) compared with usual care; data not suitable for meta-analysis.1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device)
Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.05 [-0.04, 0.14]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray
Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.01 [-0.01, 0.04]2 studiesUngraded
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 2 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 2 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.93 [0.89, 0.95]13 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 71 [60, 80]8 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 3 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 66 [13, 99]2 studiesUngraded
Dental stent vs No treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.62, 1.15]1 study · 43 participantsUngraded
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin)
Xerostomia (VAS mouth dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Duxbury 1989 (crossover): statistically significant improvement in dry mouth on a VAS favouring the mucin spray group (Analysis 1.2; SMD not numerically reported).1 studyUngraded