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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Bonded molar tubes (attached with adhesive) vs Molar bands (cemented, e.g. with glass ionomer cement) Decalcification (participant level) · 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 | RR 1.85 [1.22, 2.79] | 1 study · 74 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash Normalcy of diet (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) · Adults receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck · RT to head and neck Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.18 [0.01, 3.56] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Bethanechol vs Artificial saliva Xerostomia (dry mouth, yes/no) · 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 0.63 [0.30, 1.29] | 1 study · 36 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese medicine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (VAS) · 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 | Difference in favour of Chinese medicine on VAS xerostomia (P < 0.05); standard deviations not available (Wang 1998) | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · Chemotherapy alone for lung cancer Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.59 [0.40, 0.87] | 1 study · 195 participants | Ungraded |
Antimicrobial lozenge vs Placebo Xerostomia · 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 | RR 1.16 [0.97, 1.40] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free FDPs (zirconia ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic FDPs Periodontal/peri-implant status (secondary outcomes) · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | No data were presented for any of the pre-specified secondary outcomes. The trial registered pocket depth, bleeding on probing and mobility at follow-up visits but did not report the data. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: gingival recession (six-point probing) · 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 | RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.76] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response: total discomfort score (pain, difficulty eating, brushing, speaking, bad taste) · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · Postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-4.17, 4.37] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Quality of life · 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 quality of life data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Selenium vs No intervention 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 |
Metal-free cantilevered FDPs (feldspathic-veneered zirconia) vs Metal-ceramic cantilevered FDPs Cantilevered bridge complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing replacement of one premolar or incisor with a cantilevered fixed dental prosthesis · 24 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 5.59 [0.23, 133.61] | 1 study · 19 participants | Very low |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · BMT/SCT after conditioning for haematological cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.80, 0.99] | 6 studies · 852 participants | Low |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene oral rinse Xerostomia (severe) · 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 0.17 [0.04, 0.65] | 1 study · 31 participants | 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 · 12 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.70 [0.40, 1.23] | 7 studies · 682 participants | Low |
Chinese medicine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (dichotomous, Shenqi Fanghou recipe) · 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 0.39 [0.28, 0.55] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral pain (mean worst pain, 0 to 10 scale) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · BMT/SCT after conditioning for haematological cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.85 [-3.00, 1.30] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns Aesthetic evaluation (patient satisfaction VAS) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | MD -4.65 [-18.75, 9.45] | 1 study · 18 participants | Very low |
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns Crown complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 60 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 1.44 [0.59, 3.52] | 1 study · 158 participants | Very low |
ART using composite resin vs Conventional treatment using composite resin Restoration failure (permanent dentition) · Children with dental caries in primary teeth (mean age 7 years) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | No studies reported on restoration failure in the permanent dentition for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns Crown complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 4.31 [0.49, 37.57] | 1 study · 194 participants | Very low |
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns Aesthetic evaluation (patient satisfaction VAS) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 24 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-7.65, 7.59] | 1 study · 18 participants | Very low |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg) Pain intensity (VAS) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 4 days (not usable) Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | One study (Lauritano 2000) compared ketoprofen 160 mg with benzidamine chloride 22.5 mg mouthwashes; it presented data at 4 days only, so the data could not be used in this review; no GRADE rating. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Placebo or no treatment Fluorosis (mandibular 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 0.89 [0.35, 2.29] | 1 study · 798 participants | Very low |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) 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 | Increased hypotension with intravenous delivery (20% vs 8%; P = 0.007); skin rash (10% vs 22%; P = 0.012) and local pain at injection site (0% vs 8%; P = 0.001) worse with subcutaneous; inconclusive for… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Status of occlusion (e.g. ANB, Angle's classification, Wits analysis) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | Weidner 2005 provided analyses of mean changes in ANB from scanned radiographs. The ANB data were incomplete for many of the five time periods and were reported as 'grad' rather than the conventionally accepted… | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) Pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 2 hours Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane | MD 13 [-3.45, 29.45] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Low birth weight < 1500 g · 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 0.80 [0.38, 1.70] | 2 studies · 2550 participants | Very low |
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · RT to head and neck Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.02 [0.86, 1.22] | 2 studies · 54 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Need for retreatment or replacement of fixation due to failure of the fixation · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Mean 1 year Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | SoF row (Resorbable plates compared to titanium plates for stabilization after orthognathic surgery). Need for retreatment or replacement of fixation due to failure of the fixation (plates failed or removed in each… | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Quality of life · 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 on either quality of life or other oral related symptoms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) 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 | The study did not report this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal tooth inclination · 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 1.91 [0.78, 4.66] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Vomiting (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 4.90 [2.87, 8.38] | 5 studies · 601 participants | Low |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment 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 |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Supragingival calculus formation (various calculus indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 7 to 12 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD 0.32 [-0.04, 0.69] | 6 studies · 425 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Perinatal mortality (including fetal and neonatal deaths up to the first 28 days after birth) · 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 1.06 [0.60, 1.85] | 2 studies · 855 participants | Very low |
ART using resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) vs Conventional treatment using RM-GIC Secondary caries · Older adults with root caries in permanent (mature) teeth (mean age 75 years) · 6 months Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | One study reported data on secondary caries for this comparison (Cruz 2016). The odds of secondary caries at six months were greater with ART than with conventional treatment. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, or polaprezinc) vs Placebo Taste acuity improvement - objective outcome (continuous) - taste detection (cross-over trial) · Patients with taste disturbances (dysgeusia/hypogeusia; idiopathic, zinc-deficient, or secondary to chronic renal… · 6 months, Children with chronic renal failure Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | MD 2.50 [0.93, 4.07] | 1 study · 14 participants | Very low |
Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment 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 | No studies in this comparison reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Selenium vs No intervention Quality of life and other oral related symptoms (loss of taste, dysphagia) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 6 weeks after end of RT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Insufficient evidence of differences for loss of taste or dysphagia; data largely unusable (no standard deviations). Ageusia milder in selenium group (not significant); dysphagia significant only at week 7 (P = 0.05)… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Oral mucositis (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 0.40 [0.14, 1.17] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Gingival bleeding (various bleeding indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 4 to 6 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -0.56 [-0.79, -0.33] | 8 studies · 649 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free implant-supported FDPs (zirconia-toughened alumina; In-Ceram Zirconia) vs Metal-free implant-supported FDPs (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia; Denzir) Bridge complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing an implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis in the posterior region · 36 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.02 [0.00, 0.30] | 1 study · 18 participants | Very low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Patient response: moderate or severe pain at 1 day postoperative · People with maxillary palatally displaced (impacted) canines, unilateral or bilateral (children/adolescents; mean ages… · 1 day postoperative Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.86 [0.61, 1.20] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
ART using composite resin vs Conventional treatment using composite resin Adverse events · Children with dental caries in primary teeth (mean age 7 years) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | Adverse events: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Dentine caries in permanent molars (24 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 24 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Inconclusive results: two studies slightly favoured glass ionomers (Liu 2014b OR 0.46 (0.23-0.91); Tagliaferro 2011) evaluating 426 children; one study (Songpaisan 1995) found no difference (MD DFS -0.18 (-0.39 to… | 3 studies · 830 participants | Very low |
Amifostine 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 · End of RT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.34 [0.07, 0.61] | 83 participants | Ungraded |
Acupuncture vs Sham control (deactivated laser sham acupuncture) Taste discrimination improvement · Patients with idiopathic dysgeusia and hypogeusia · 8 weeks Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | MD 2.80 [-1.18, 6.78] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Bethanechol vs Artificial saliva Salivary flow rate (unstimulated, ml/min) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 8 to 40 weeks postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.07 [-0.02, 0.16] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |