Gap finder
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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Placebo (spray base without CMC / water) 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 evenly split between CMC spray and spray base. | 1 study · 15 participants | 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) Pain intensity (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term (3 months or less), Combination CBT/biofeedback Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.46 [0.02, 0.90] | 2 studies · 90 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on deciduous tooth surfaces (d(m)fs) · 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 0.13 [-0.07, 0.33] | 2 studies · 1051 participants | Moderate |
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone Postoperative complication: wound dehiscence · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.36 [0.04, 3.03] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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 0.6 [0.23, 1.58] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Superoxide dismutase 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 1.17 [0.78, 1.75] | 1 study · 159 participants | Ungraded |
Histamine gel 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 0.95 [0.15, 6.08] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Salinum (linseed) mouthwash vs Salinum plus chlorhexidine mouthwash 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 | Johansson 2001 (crossover, n=33, Sjogren's syndrome): both products improved oral dryness and chewing/swallowing; Salinum alone reduced speaking problems and burning mouth. Paired data not accounted for; no usable… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel Salivary flow / oral health · 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 device and bolus in unstimulated whole saliva, oral microbial profile or generalised inflammation. | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Improvement in dry mouth (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 | Sweeney 1997 (parallel, n=31, terminal cancer): both sprays improved dry mouth symptoms but no statistically significant difference between mucin spray and placebo for improved dry mouth (Analysis 1.1; RR not… | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
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) · 6 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.72 [-1.09, -0.35] | 4 studies · 564 participants | Ungraded |
Camomile 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 0.63 [0.33, 1.22] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) 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 0.44 [0.2, 0.95] | 1 study · 147 participants | 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) Pain severity - impact: activity interference / disability (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months), CBT alone Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.27 [-0.51, -0.03] | 4 studies · 285 participants | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Radiographic assessment: Panorex 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 participants | Ungraded |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system 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 0.69 [0.08, 1.30] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.78 [0.4, 1.49] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 72 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.28 [0.16, 0.41] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 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) | Caries-free percentage 97 [96, 98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
OASIS moisturising mouthwash vs Experimental mouthwash formulation Xerostomia (dry mouth) · 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 | Shirodaria 2006 (crossover): OASIS reported to give a statistically significant improvement over subjects' normal remedies, but the report did not present the randomised OASIS-versus-experimental comparison; no data… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.83] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Head circumference (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 -0.66 [-1.16, -0.17] | 2 studies · 130 participants | Ungraded |
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 · 3 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.85 [0.77, 0.91] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Postoperative complication: (partial) loss of bone graft · 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 | RR 0.12 [0.01, 1.89] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum / mucin chewing gum vs Placebo gum (and between each other) 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 | Aagaard 1992 (crossover, n=43): approximately 50% of participants had an increase in unstimulated whole saliva from all products; unclear how many completed the trial; no usable data. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 96 [94, 97] | 15 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment in deciduous teeth (dmft) · 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 0.46 [0.08, 0.83] | 2 studies · 696 participants | Very low |
V6 chewing gum / mucin chewing gum vs Placebo gum (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 | Preference favoured mucin gum (61%) over V6 (21%) and placebo (5%). | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 1.16 [0.46, 2.92] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) 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 0.09 [0, 1.51] | 1 study · 147 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Mandibular functionality (MFIQ) 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 1.58 [-0.78, 3.94] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
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) · 1 year, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.95 [0.91, 0.98] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs 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 favoured CMC/sorbitol (Chi2 10.89, df=1; P = 0.001). | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
G-CSF 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 0.36 [0.15, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Phosphoric etching (acid) gel vs Mechanical debridement and polishing Cleaning/treatment time · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 5 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | Both interventions took a similar time to administer (no statistically significant difference in cleaning time) | 1 study · 16 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Major complications at the implant site · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 5 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 4.20 [1.01, 17.43] | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Days stay in hospital · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |
Mixed beam (neutron and photon) radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.04 [0.84, 1.29] | 1 study · 327 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Control (treatment as usual) Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.45 [-4.42, 3.52] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Patient satisfaction (liked toothbrush) · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.48 [1.03, 2.13] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Oral glucosamine hydrochloride/chondroitin sulphate vs Placebo Pain on TMJ palpation (ordinal scale) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 3 months Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-3.09, 2.49] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Debridement vs No debridement Mucositis severity (mild to moderate) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Debridement vs no debridement (Cubukcu 2007): statistically significant benefit for decreased mucositis severity; no numeric estimate reported | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Control (treatment as usual) Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -10.50 [-36.05, 15.05] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.84 [0.72, 0.99] | 4 studies · 1071 participants | Ungraded |
Topical capsaicin (0.025% cream) vs Placebo Adverse events (withdrawals due to adverse effects) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 4 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Three participants from the topical capsaicin group withdrew from the study by Winocur et al 2000 due to the severity of the burning sensation and redness. | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated/boost vs conventional, locoregional control: IPD from one trial (Fu 2000); a statistically significant difference in favour of the accelerated schedule with boost was shown (Analysis 1.2). No numeric… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine vs Staff-controlled delivery of pethidine Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -4.00 [-10.14, 2.14] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance Patient quality of life · Adults aged 18 years or older with clinically diagnosed TMD (exhibiting two or more of the listed signs and/or symptoms) · At least 6 months after the intervention Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (2010) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral gabapentin (anticonvulsant) vs Placebo Adverse events (withdrawals due to adverse effects) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 12 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Four of the participants withdrew from the study by Kimos et al 2007 due to adverse effects, but neither the type of adverse effect nor the trial group was specified. | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen Completion of treatment (yes/no) · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005) Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Completion of treatment (yes/no) was a protocol-planned primary outcome but was not reported by the included study for this comparison (Braithwaite 2005); one participant in the sedation arm was withdrawn during… | NR | No studies |