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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
Prednisone 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 1.03 [0.85, 1.24]1 study · 66 participantsUngraded
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin)
Patient satisfaction / desire to continue treatment · 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
Sweeney 1997: majority in both groups wished to continue the allocated spray, no significant difference (Analysis 1.3). Duxbury 1989: 14/30 (46.6%) and 15/30 (50%) wished to continue Saliva Orthana and the spray base…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 · 5 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.80 [0.76, 0.83]3 studiesUngraded
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other)
Xerostomia (median oral 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
Furumoto 1998 (crossover, n=28, medians/IQR): median day-10 oral dryness (lower = less dry): CMC spray 28.00 (3.06), HCC spray 28.75 (2.23), HCC gel 27.75 (3.62), margarine 29.25 (5.06). Only HCC gel showed a…1 study · 28 participantsUngraded
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes
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 0.68 [0.36, 1.3]1 study · 178 participantsUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 5 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 77 [56, 92]1 studyUngraded
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
Intestinal trefoil factor 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 0.22 [0.1, 0.48]1 study · 99 participantsUngraded
Aloe vera vs Placebo
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 0.13 [0.02, 0.97]1 study · 61 participantsUngraded
Pilocarpine vs Placebo
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 0.89 [0.58, 1.37]1 study · 34 participantsUngraded
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine
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 0.65 [0.41, 1.02]1 study · 42 participantsUngraded
Systemic antibiotic (clarithromycin) 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 0.69 [0.48, 1.01]1 study · 70 participantsUngraded
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/usual care
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 0.91 [0.82, 1.02]1 study · 150 participantsUngraded
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.93 [0.91, 0.94]6 studiesUngraded
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel
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 -1.01 [-1.44, -0.58]1 study · 22 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
Hydrolytic enzymes 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
no estimate extracted3 studiesUngraded
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 5 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Survival percentage 80 [76, 83]3 studiesUngraded
Shenqi-fanghou vs 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 0.9 [0.8, 1]1 study · 140 participantsUngraded
Propantheline 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 0.4 [0.12, 1.31]1 study · 12 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
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 · 4 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 4 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.86 [0.78, 0.93]3 studiesUngraded
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control
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 0.02 [-0.02, 0.06]2 studiesUngraded
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care
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 0.75 [0.54, 1.04]4 studiesUngraded
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
V6 chewing gum vs PTC chewing gum (xylitol/sorbitol/mannitol)
Salivary flow (saliva secretion) · 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
Olsson 1991 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=14): both gums increased saliva secretion, peaking 17.5 minutes after chewing started; significant treatment-by-period interaction; no per-group data presented.1 study · 14 participantsUngraded
Amifostine vs Placebo/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 0.68 [0.45, 1.03]9 studies · 845 participantsVery low
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.36 [0.17, 0.77]5 studies · 472 participantsLow
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge
Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… · Single dose (up to 3 hours)
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Taweechaisupapong 2006 (crossover): participants reported a statistically significant improvement in oral dryness after both 3 mg and 5 mg pilocarpine lozenges vs placebo (P <= 0.05); no usable data presented. No…1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin)
Oral health assessment · 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
Blixt-Johansen 1992 (parallel, elderly long-term care, poor oral mucosa): oral mucosa improved in both groups but a much greater reduction in oral pathology in the mucin spray group; no data presented.1 studyUngraded
GM-CSF 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
no estimate extracted8 studiesUngraded
Indigo wood root vs Saline (placebo)
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 0.14 [0.02, 0.93]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Glutamine (intravenous) vs Placebo
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 0.25 [0.1, 0.62]3 studies · 93 participantsUngraded
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening)
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
no estimate extracted2 studiesUngraded
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo/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 0.82 [0.54, 1.23]4 studies · 244 participantsLow
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 · 2 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 2 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 1.00 [0.98, 1.00]3 studiesUngraded
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 3 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.66 [0.13, 0.99]2 studiesUngraded
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance)
Pain intensity (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months)
Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.34 [-0.50, -0.18]7 studies · 658 participantsUngraded
Habit reversal vs Waiting list control
Life interference · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term (post-treatment)
Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.86 [-1.79, 0.06]1 studyUngraded
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo spray
Xerostomia (oral 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
van der Reijden 1996 (crossover, Sjogren's syndrome): carbopol spray found partially effective; none of the sprays were completely effective; no data suitable for inclusion.1 studyUngraded
Honey 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 0.48 [0.31, 0.74]3 studiesUngraded
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device)
Xerostomia (mouth dryness, median) · 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
Frost 2002 (crossover, n=30, Sjogren's syndrome): overall mouth dryness favoured the device but only nearly significant (median 4 (IQR 2 to 4) device vs 3 (2 to 4) control; P = 0.056). Speech (P = 0.003) and swallowing…1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin)
Duration of relief of 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: no difference between mucin spray and placebo in the duration of relief of dryness (Analysis 1.4).1 studyUngraded
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
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 · 5 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 5 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.63 [0.56, 0.70]1 studyUngraded
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)
Caries increment in permanent teeth (D(M)FT) · 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 0.29 [0.19, 0.39]3 studies · 1208 participantsModerate
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)
Plaque and gingivitis scores · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24 months
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane
One study (Holm 1975): no difference between groups (fluoride supplements versus fluoride rinses) for mean plaque and gingivitis scores after 2 years. No summary estimate reported.1 studyUngraded
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray
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
Bots 2005: statistically significant preference for chewing gum over Xialine spray, 39/49 (80%) preferred gum vs 10/49 (20%) spray (Chi2 17.16, df=1; P < 0.001) (Analysis 2.3). Davies 2000: more people preferred gum,…1 study · 65 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
Prednisone vs Placebo
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 0.64 [0.17, 2.45]1 study · 66 participantsUngraded