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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. Words match anywhere in the field.
75,239 questions in 5,342 reviews
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 4 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 68 [61, 75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Patient satisfaction · 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 | Mouly 2007b: patient satisfaction measured by VAS for global acceptability (Analysis 3.4); no significant difference between treatments for overall oral condition. Satisfaction for taste favoured OGT (mean VAS… | 1 study | Ungraded |
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) Depression (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 -0.35 [-0.54, -0.16] | 6 studies · 455 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 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) | Caries-free percentage 100 [99, 100] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs 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 | Poland 1987 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=20): CMC/sorbitol reported superior to lemon glycerin for reducing oral dryness; brief report, incomplete data, period effect noted; not usable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Calculus · 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 (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed calculus as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/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 0.84 [0.69, 1.04] | 1 study · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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 0.89 [0.62, 1.29] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Relaxation Anxiety (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.42 [-0.86, 0.02] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline 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 1 [0.68, 1.47] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.88 [0.69, 1.12] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Quality of life and parental satisfaction (crying, feeding, sleeping, playing time; 24-hour parental log) · 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 | Quality of life and adverse events (crying, feeding, sleeping and playing time, 24-hour parental log; Shaw 1999): no statistically significant differences between bottle types. Parental satisfaction also reported. | 1 study · 101 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin-containing lozenge vs Placebo lozenge 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 | Gravenmade 1993 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=42, Sjogren's syndrome): no statistically significant difference between mucin lozenge and placebo for mouth dryness on a VAS (Analysis 1.2). | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 2 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.41 [0.18, 0.67] | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 · 3 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.97 [0.96, 0.98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Indomethacin 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 1 [0.82, 1.23] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/usual care 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 0.62 [0.43, 0.91] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Quality of life · 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 (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.74 [0.57, 0.95] | 5 studies · 472 participants | Low |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Other preventive measures (xylitol lozenges) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS, approximal surfaces) · 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 0.00 [-0.59, 0.59] | 1 study · 115 participants | Low |
Arthroscopy vs Nonsurgical treatment Pain after 6 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 6 months Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.004 [-0.46, 0.55] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Ungraded |
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 · 5 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.90 [0.85, 0.94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo 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 | Patient preference for active sprays vs placebo nearly attained significance (Chi2 7.259, df=3; P = 0.064); 15/43 participants expressed no desire to continue any spray after the trial. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Pain (VAS/SSI) 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 | SMD 0.45 [0.01, 0.89] | 3 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Physostigmine gel (1.8 mg) vs Placebo gel 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 | Approximately fivefold increase in saliva secretion; mean AUC salivary volume 43.4 +/- 9.4 (physostigmine) vs 8.3 +/- 6.6 (placebo), P < 0.001. Adverse effects: 8 mild gastrointestinal upsets, 1 sweating. | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 0.71 [0.47, 1.07] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/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 [0.06, 0.62] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Clinical assessment: nasal alar base augmentation (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… Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.20 [-0.01, 0.41] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 93 [91, 94] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control 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 | SMD 1.11 [0.33, 1.89] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Arthrocentesis Pain (VAS) 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 0.10 [-1.46, 1.66] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(MF)S) · 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 -0.10 [-0.25, 0.05] | 5 studies · 2047 participants | Moderate |
Camomile 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 1.14 [0.43, 3.01] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.69 [0.37, 1.29] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 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 -0.20 [-0.36, -0.04] | 5 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system Quality of life (xerostomia-related) · 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 difference between systems for overall xerostomia-related quality of life (15-item survey). Bioxtra rated better for taste; no difference for mouth 'feel'. Trial likely underpowered. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Crepitation (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 0.45 [0.08, 2.60] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Click (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 9.35 [0.85, 102.30] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (6-month follow-up) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Long term (6-month follow-up) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.79 [-3.83, -1.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (post-treatment) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Short term (post-treatment) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.40 [-3.40, -1.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 31 [2, 77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge Salivary flow (saliva production) · 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 | Statistically significant increase in saliva production vs placebo (P <= 0.05); maximum salivary output 60 to 90 minutes post-lozenge; no data presented. | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
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 · 6 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.85 [0.79, 0.91] | 1 study | Ungraded |
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other) Patient satisfaction · 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 | HCC gel rated better than margarine for convenience, perceived value, minutes of relief and overall rating; no other significant between-group differences. | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 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 0.82 [0.71, 0.94] | 2 studies · 160 participants | Low |
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) · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.31 [0.02, 0.77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 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) | Caries-free percentage 93 [91, 96] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel Patient satisfaction · 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 | Patient satisfaction scores favoured the gel bolus over the intraoral device (Analysis 3.4). | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Povidone 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 0.02 [0, 0.31] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Acyclovir 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 1.33 [0.85, 2.08] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |