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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
ART using glass ionomer cement (GIC) vs Conventional treatment using amalgam Restoration failure (permanent, immature teeth) · Children and adolescents with dental caries (primary teeth and permanent immature teeth) · Lesion type not reported Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | OR 1.71 [1.32, 2.22] | 1 study · 1629 participants | Ungraded |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Side 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 | No statistical difference between groups in bethanechol-related toxicity; no patient experienced severe (grade 3) toxicity (Jaguar 2015) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) 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 0.61 [0.42, 0.88] | 1 study · 127 participants | Ungraded |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Side 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 | No relevant adverse events were reported in any group (Lanzos 2010) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · 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 0.96 [0.80, 1.14] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Interruptions to cancer treatment (unscheduled radiotherapy breaks of 5 or more days) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · RT to head and neck with cisplatin/fluorouracil Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.01 [0.65, 1.59] | 3 studies · 473 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Facial appearance and profile · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | No data available for this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-3 scale) · 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 0.43 [0.28, 0.66] | 1 study · 84 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Gestational age (preterm birth < 37 weeks) · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination · SRP vs alternative mechanical treatment Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.87 [0.46, 1.67] | 4 studies · 1168 participants | Very low |
Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (pressed veneering ceramic) vs Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (layered veneering ceramic) Bridge failure · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit tooth-supported fixed dental prosthesis · 12 and 36 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | At 12 months 40 participants were available and at 36 months 36 participants were available. No FDP failures were reported in either group at either time. | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) 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 | OR 0.12 [0.08, 0.19] | 7 studies · 1322 participants | Moderate |
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns Marginal bone level (first bone to implant contact, FBIC) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 24 months, Distal to crown Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.18 [-0.89, 0.53] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free single crowns (full-contour zirconia) vs Cast gold (conventional metal) single crowns Aesthetic evaluation · Adults (18 years or older) needing a single crown in the molar or premolar region Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | No data were presented with regard to aesthetics. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Maternal mortality · 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 | Maternal mortality: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Salivary flow rate (stimulated, ml/min) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 2 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.15 [-0.03, 0.33] | 1 study · 97 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Salivary flow rate (stimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · Any time point Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No evidence of a difference between treatment groups for stimulated salivary flow at any time point (Analysis 1.5) | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia Edentulousness (prevalence) · Older people (aged 60 years or older) with dementia Oral health and orofacial pain in older people with dementia: a systematic review with focus on dental hard… (2017) | no estimate extracted | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, or polaprezinc) vs Placebo Taste acuity improvement - objective outcome (continuous) - taste recognition (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 3.00 [0.66, 5.34] | 1 study · 14 participants | Very low |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), intravenous vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receiving chemotherapy alone · Children Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.12 [0.05, 0.28] | 1 study · 90 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Overall survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 12 to 24 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | HR 1.18 [0.85, 1.66] | 2 studies · 271 participants | Very low |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Salivary flow rate (unstimulated, ml/min) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 2 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.19 [0.06, 0.32] | 1 study · 97 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Mean birth weight (grams) · 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 | Eight studies (5120 participants) reported birth weight in grams; data not pooled due to skewness; mean difference ranged between -52.8 and 476.6 grams. | 8 studies · 5120 participants | Ungraded |
Antimicrobial lozenge vs Placebo 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 implant abutments (zirconia) vs Metal implant abutments (titanium) Marginal bone level change (MBLC) · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown on… · 12 months, Mesial Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.39 [-0.43, -0.35] | 2 studies · 47 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 · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.04 [0.00, 0.48] | 1 study · 18 participants | Very low |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (dichotomous) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · End of RT; 3 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.92, 1.08] | 2 studies · 48 participants | Ungraded |
Venalot Depot (coumarin plus troxerutin) vs Placebo Survival (locoregional control) · 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 | Unable to use the data on locoregional control (Grotz 2001) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Bleeding on probing · 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 | Reported as a secondary periodontal outcome (Analysis 1.9); results not meta-analysed due to considerable heterogeneity (I2 91% to 100%); reduction in favour of periodontal treatment. | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), higher dose/regimen vs Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), different (lower) dose/regimen Oral mucositis (any severity) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | Some inconsistent evidence from which no conclusions can be drawn regarding different dosages of KGF (Analyses 2.1 to 2.8); no pooled estimate reported | NR | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; pegfilgrastim, single dose) vs Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim, multiple doses) Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Children receiving bone marrow/stem cell transplantation after conditioning therapy for mixed cancers · Children Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.78 [0.55, 1.11] | 1 study · 61 participants | Ungraded |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no treatment) Adverse events · 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 any adverse events. SoF cell: 'Not reported'. | 0 studies | No studies |
ART using resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) vs Conventional treatment using RM-GIC Pain · Older adults with root caries in permanent (mature) teeth (mean age 75 years) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | Pain: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Gingival index · 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 | MD -28.00 [-144.13, 88.13] | 1 study · 53 participants | Ungraded |
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Adverse effects · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Adverse effects not measured. | NR | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Adverse effects of therapy · 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 | Adverse effects of therapy: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia Orofacial pain (prevalence) · Older people (aged 60 years or older) with dementia Oral health and orofacial pain in older people with dementia: a systematic review with focus on dental hard… (2017) | no estimate extracted | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral pain (mean pain score, 0 to 4 scale) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · RT to head and neck with cisplatin/fluorouracil Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | MD -0.12 [-0.27, 0.02] | 2 studies · 374 participants | Ungraded |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia Coronal caries (mean number) · Older people (aged 60 years or older) with dementia Oral health and orofacial pain in older people with dementia: a systematic review with focus on dental hard… (2017) | no estimate extracted | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, or polaprezinc) vs Placebo Health-related quality of life · Patients with taste disturbances (dysgeusia/hypogeusia; idiopathic, zinc-deficient, or secondary to chronic renal… Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Results (health-related quality of life): None of the studies reported data on health-related quality of life. Heckmann 2005 (zinc) reported that signs of depression were less severe (Beck Depression Inventory P<0.05;… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · Chemotherapy alone for mixed cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.30 [0.14, 0.65] | 3 studies · 263 participants | Low |
Metal-free FDPs (lithium disilicate) vs Metal-ceramic FDPs Bridge failure · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) · 72 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 6.86 [0.66, 71.72] | 1 study · 22 participants | Very low |
Bonded molar tubes (attached with adhesive) vs Molar bands (cemented, e.g. with glass ionomer cement) First time failure at 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 2.30 [1.56, 3.41] | 2 studies · 186 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free FDPs (lithium disilicate) vs Metal-ceramic FDPs Bridge failure · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 9.00 [0.96, 84.50] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Aesthetics: canine rated as abnormal tooth colour · 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 [0.19, 19.52] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), higher dose (1260 to 12,600 micrograms) vs Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), lower dose (12.6 to 126 micrograms) Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults receiving chemotherapy alone for breast cancer Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.75 [1.07, 7.04] | 1 study · 36 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Preterm birth < 35 weeks · 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 | Preterm births < 35 weeks reported in four studies across three subcomparisons; none of the subcomparisons showed a difference; SRP versus alternative mechanical treatment not pooled due to considerable heterogeneity;… | 4 studies | Very low |
Metal-free implant-supported single crowns (zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns Implant crown failure · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown · 12 and 24 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | At 12 and 24 months 18 participants were available. No failure was reported for the test or control groups at either 12 or 24 months. | 1 study · 18 participants | Very low |
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) Other adverse effects (taste disturbance, oral mucosal effects, burning sensation) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SoF narrative row (Other adverse effects): 22 trials reported at least 1 adverse effect apart from extrinsic tooth staining and calculus formation in the chlorhexidine rinse arms. The adverse effects most commonly… | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · Chemotherapy alone for mixed cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.59 [0.05, 7.11] | 2 studies · 65 participants | Very low |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · RT to head and neck with cisplatin/fluorouracil Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.83, 1.00] | 3 studies · 471 participants | Moderate |