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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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Topical capsaicin (0.025% cream) vs Placebo Present pain of TMD (VAS) · 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 | MD -0.61 [-2.45, 1.23] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin E (topical) vs Vitamin E (swallowed) Mucositis eradicated · 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 | RR 53.74 [3.41, 846.84] | 1 study · 63 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years, Studies at low risk of bias (sensitivity analysis) Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.93 [0.80, 1.07] | 5 studies · 1511 participants | Moderate |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Counter oscillation powered toothbrush Gingivitis (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD -0.02 [-0.37, 0.32] | 2 studies · 130 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate implants (placed just after tooth extraction) vs Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) Perimplant marginal bone level changes · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | No statistically significant differences for perimplant marginal bone level changes (Analysis 3.2; Palattella 2008). | 1 study · 16 participants | Ungraded |
Multidimensional powered toothbrush vs Side to side action powered toothbrush Staining · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | One trial (Patters 2005) reported reduced staining in the short term (1-3 months) with a multidimensional versus side to side mode of action powered brush. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral diazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo Number of participants with severe dysfunction (pain of TMD not improved) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 15 days Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.27, 1.66] | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative radiotherapy (plus surgery) vs Surgery alone Total mortality · 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 0.83 [0.64, 1.07] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention) Measures of behaviour during local anaesthesia administration (undesirable behaviours: crying, hand movement, physical resistance, leg movement) · Children aged 4 to 13 years with no previous dental experience undergoing restorative treatment with local anaesthesia… Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Patients who were hypnotised demonstrated fewer undesirable behaviours (crying, hand movement, physical resistance and leg movement) than those who did not undergo hypnosis. Decreased crying with hypnosis was the only… | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush Gingivitis (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD 0.35 [-0.04, 0.74] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Immediate implants (placed in a fresh extraction socket just after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction, in healed bone) Implant failure · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 4.33 [0.76, 24.56] | 2 studies · 110 participants | Ungraded |
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation Bone gain (vertical - VDH) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | Both treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences were found between the two procedures for vertical height of the defect (VDH) (Chen 2005b). | 1 study · 26 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Patients' general satisfaction of treatment · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 6.51 [0.39, 12.63] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Morphine vs Tricyclic antidepressant (nortriptyline) 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 -19.10 [-31.01, -7.19] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush vs Circular powered toothbrush Plaque (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD -0.02 [-0.51, 0.47] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) 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 vs conventional, locoregional control: one trial (Skladowski 2006); a statistically significant difference in favour of the altered fractionation was shown (Analysis 1.2). No numeric estimate given. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen Measures of behaviour / negative responses during local anaesthesia administration · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005) Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Hypnosis can control some of the patient's negative responses to dental treatment, such as movement and behaviour, during administration of local anaesthesia. (Braithwaite 2005; single-blind cross-over, 10 patients… | 1 study · 10 participants | Ungraded |
Oral piroxicam (NSAID) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 15 days Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Roldan et al 1990 (piroxicam) reported adverse effects. Per the review's Adverse effects of interventions section: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects… | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Circular powered toothbrush Gingivitis (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD 0.89 [0.38, 1.41] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Higher total dose radiotherapy (76.8 Gy over 6.4 weeks) vs Conventional/standard total dose radiotherapy (72 Gy) 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 0.78 [0.55, 1.11] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated/split-course 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 0.86 [0.74, 1.01] | 4 studies · 1299 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · 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 0.87 [0.75, 1.00] | 4 studies · 1071 participants | Ungraded |
Clotrimazole 50 mg (partially absorbed) vs Clotrimazole 10 mg (partially absorbed) Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · 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 | RR 2.00 [1.11, 3.60] | 1 study · 52 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Poor aesthetics measured by patient (after restoration) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | After delivery of the prostheses one patient in each group was dissatisfied with aesthetics (1/10 vs 1/10); no statistically significant difference (Chen 2007). | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative and post-operative radiotherapy vs Post-operative radiotherapy alone Total mortality · 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 0.67 [0.35, 1.28] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Listerine mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash Probing attachment level · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.07 [-0.11, 0.25] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Patient satisfaction (desire for future use) · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 2.08 [1.52, 2.64] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy plus chemotherapy vs Chemoradiotherapy with standard (conventional) fractionation Outcome NR · 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 | Discussion: 'there are no completed trials of altered fractionation plus chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy with standard fractionation.' | 0 studies | No studies |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Patients' perception of how long treatment took · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | MD -20.30 [-33.36, -7.24] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Mechanical debridement plus topical minocycline vs Mechanical debridement plus chlorhexidine gel Change in probing pocket depth (worst sites) · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 12 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.40 [-0.28, 1.08] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Povidone iodine Time to heal mucositis (days) · 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 -3.50 [-4.14, -2.86] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation Bone gain (horizontal - HDD) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | No statistically significant differences between the two procedures for horizontal depth of the defect (HDD) (Chen 2005b). | 1 study · 26 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 Development of TMD (onset/incidence of signs and symptoms) · People without TMD at baseline undergoing orthodontic treatment (TMD clinically absent at baseline); no age… · Follow-up period extended into adulthood Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (2010) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · 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 vs conventional, disease free survival: both trials reported this, but substantial clinical and statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.0004, I2 = 92%) meant a pooled analysis was not reported (Analysis 1.3). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost Disease free survival · 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 | Fu 1995: no significant difference in disease free survival; data not presented in a way that allows calculation of an HR. | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush vs Circular powered toothbrush Gingivitis (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD 0.87 [0.36, 1.39] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Triclosan dentifrice vs Sodium fluoride dentifrice Plaque · 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 | MD -7.50 [-17.52, 2.52] | 1 study · 59 participants | Ungraded |
Hyaluronic acid gel (brushing) vs Chlorhexidine gel (brushing) Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.65, 0.65] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Oral prazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 8 days Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Rossi et al 1983 (prazepam) reported adverse effects. Per the review's Adverse effects of interventions section: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects were… | 1 study · 83 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) 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 0.79 [0.70, 0.89] | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Ultrasonic powered toothbrush vs Multidimensional powered toothbrush Adverse events · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Costa 2007 reported no adverse events identified by either participants or examiner. | 1 study | 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 Overall symptoms, pain and headache (relief from symptoms assessed by global measures) · 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 |
Pre-operative radiotherapy (plus surgery) vs Surgery alone Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · Timing unclear Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.28, 1.46] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy vs Chemoradiotherapy (concurrent, standard fractionation) Outcome NR · 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 | Discussion: altered fractionation radiotherapy 'has not been directly compared to chemoradiotherapy'. No eligible head-to-head trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention) Orthodontic appliance (headgear) wearing time and patient co-operation · Children (mean age approximately 10 years) with skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion undergoing orthodontic… · 6 months Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in headgear wear was observed in the control (verbal motivation) group from the first to the sixth month; the difference in the hypnosis group was not significant,… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Polyvariant intramuscular immunoglobulin vs Placebo Improvement in mucositis · 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 | RR 1.81 [1.24, 2.65] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Phosphoric etching (acid) gel vs Mechanical debridement and polishing Plaque · 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 | MD 0.00 [-0.33, 0.33] | 1 study · 16 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Circular powered toothbrush Plaque (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Analysis 3.1 Plaque < 3 months (Turesky): 1 trial (Yankell 1997), 64 participants; totals not selected; no significant difference between side to side and circular for plaque in the short term. | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Augmentation (prosthesis/implant) failure · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | There were no prosthesis or implant failures in either group (Bio-Oss vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier; Chen 2007); not estimable. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Poor aesthetics measured by dentist (3 years) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | After 3 years of loading, the operator judged aesthetics to be poor in 2/7 patients of the Bio-Oss group and in 2/5 of the Bio-Oss plus barrier group; no statistically significant difference. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |