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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Open surgical exposure vs Closed surgical exposure Gum health: radiographic crestal bone level · 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 | MD 3.21 [-0.33, 6.75] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
ART using composite resin vs Conventional treatment using composite resin Costs (direct and indirect) · 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 costs for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Small for gestational age · 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 0.97 [0.81, 1.16] | 3 studies · 3610 participants | Low |
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 + antimicrobial vs SRP + placebo Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women (2017) · Cochrane | RR 3.08 [1.15, 8.20] | 1 study · 243 participants | Very low |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · 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 0.35 [0.21, 0.60] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free FDPs (zirconia ceramic) vs Metal-ceramic FDPs Aesthetic evaluation (patient aesthetic satisfaction changes) · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) · 36 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 15.40 [0.78, 304.61] | 1 study · 34 participants | Very low |
Epidermal growth factor (EGF), oral spray vs Placebo Interruptions to cancer treatment (radiotherapy breaks longer than two days) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · Radiotherapy to the head and neck Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 4.38 [0.25, 75.44] | 1 study · 113 participants | Ungraded |
NSAID (systemic) vs Paracetamol 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 |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, alone or with antimicrobials) vs Alternative (less intensive) periodontal treatment, alone or with placebo Small for gestational age · 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 | Small for gestational age: Not reported for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to 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 0.56 [0.45, 0.70] | 4 studies · 344 participants | Moderate |
Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs Control (placebo or no 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 reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Quality of life · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | None of the included studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Birth weight (low birth weight < 2500 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 0.67 [0.48, 0.95] | 7 studies · 3470 participants | Low |
One type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes (chemically-cured composite, light-cured composite, conventional glass ionomer, poly-acid modified composite/compomer, or resin-modified glass ionomer) vs Any other type of adhesive used to bond molar tubes Decalcification (presence or absence of decay around the attachment) · 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · 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 0.95 [0.90, 1.00] | 2 studies · 374 participants | Ungraded |
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 · Up to and including 3 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.65, 1.01] | 1 study · 84 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine 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 · End of RT to 12 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Insufficient evidence of a difference in stimulated salivary flow at any time point: end of RT MD -0.09 (95% CI -1.48 to 1.30); 3 months MD 0.38 (95% CI -1.43 to 2.19); 12 months MD 0.82 (95% CI -0.47 to 2.11);… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs Resin-based sealant Dentine caries in permanent molars · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 12-72 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Inconsistent effect (differences in products, comparisons, outcomes, outcome reporting times, background fluoride and age groups); 21 trials (3883 participants randomised); very low quality | 21 studies · 3883 participants | Very low |
Antimicrobial lozenge vs Placebo Side effects (other: dryness in mouth, diarrhoea, constipation) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · Over 6 months Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Insufficient evidence of a difference: dryness in mouth RR 1.18 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.42), diarrhoea RR 1.97 (95% CI 0.51 to 7.54), constipation RR 0.91 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.42) (Duncan 2005) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Xerostomia · 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 xerostomia were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Speech difficulties (VAS 0-100 mm) · 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 20.20 [1.93, 38.47] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
ART using high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (H-GIC), hand instruments vs Conventional treatment using H-GIC (rotary instruments) Restoration failure (primary dentition) · People with dental caries in primary teeth (mainly children) · 12 to 24 months Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | OR 1.60 [1.13, 2.27] | 5 studies · 643 participants | Low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment 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 | 0% in both groups; Not estimated; 2134 participants (4 RCTs) | 4 studies · 2134 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Normalcy of diet (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) · 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 0.16 [0.01, 2.86] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Salivary flow rate (incidence of > 0.1 g saliva/5 min, unstimulated) · 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 1.45 [1.13, 1.86] | 1 study · 175 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Normalcy of diet (total parenteral nutrition) · 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 [0.58, 1.34] | 4 studies · 714 participants | Ungraded |
Epidermal growth factor (EGF), oral spray vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment · Radiotherapy to the head and neck Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.45, 0.99] | 1 study · 103 participants | Ungraded |
Acupuncture vs Sham control (deactivated laser sham acupuncture) Health-related quality of life · Patients with idiopathic dysgeusia and hypogeusia Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Results (health-related quality of life): Brandt 2008 assessed HRQoL in dysgeusia patients and reported significant improvement in psychological symptoms in the acupuncture group and increased quality of life in both… | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 · 36 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 2.00 [0.15, 26.73] | 1 study · 19 participants | Very low |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Degree of function postoperatively (mastication, swallowing, speech) · 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 |
Amifostine 200 mg/m2 three times weekly vs Amifostine 200 mg/m2 five times weekly 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 0.25 [0.06, 1.08] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Metal-free implant abutments (zirconia) vs Metal implant abutments (titanium) Complications · Adults (18 years or older) with one missing tooth in the aesthetic zone needing an implant-supported single crown on… · 12 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | At 12 months no complications were reported in either group. | 2 studies · 47 participants | Very low |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Sweating (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 2.98 [1.43, 6.22] | 5 studies · 389 participants | Low |
Pilocarpine vs No treatment/placebo Xerostomia (continuous, combined SMD) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · Up to and including 6 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -0.35 [-1.04, 0.33] | 2 studies · 126 participants | Very low |
Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Placebo or no treatment Decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces at 3 years · Pregnant women (for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children) · 3 years Fluoride supplementation (with tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) in pregnant women for preventing… (2017) · Cochrane | MD 0.12 [-0.05, 0.29] | 1 study · 938 participants | Very low |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Plaque 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 | Reported as a secondary periodontal outcome (Analysis 1.8); results not meta-analysed due to considerable heterogeneity (I2 91% to 100%); reduction in favour of periodontal treatment. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Amifostine 200 mg/m2 three times weekly vs Amifostine 200 mg/m2 five times weekly Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · End of RT and 6, 12, 18, 24 months postRT Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No significant differences between the three treatment arms (Jellema 2006) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment Normalcy of diet (tube feeding) · 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 0.31 [0.01, 7.09] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs No treatment Pre-eclampsia · 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 1.10 [0.74, 1.62] | 3 studies · 2946 participants | Very low |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Number of days in hospital · 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 | MD -2.95 [-7.73, 1.83] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Adverse effects (composite: plate exposure, wound infection, sinus tract, wound dehiscence, plate removal) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 24 months postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | SoF row. Adverse effects; 60 participants (1 RCT); Quality of the evidence (GRADE): VERY LOW. Exposure of the plate: both titanium and resorbable groups experienced 2 plate exposures which occurred between the third… | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Dementia (any type or severity) vs Older people without dementia Number of teeth present (mean) · 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 | 16 studies | Ungraded |
ART using resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) vs Conventional treatment using RM-GIC Adverse events · 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 | Adverse events: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (pressed veneering ceramic) vs Metal-free tooth-supported FDPs (layered veneering ceramic) Bridge complications · Adults (18 years or older) needing a three-unit tooth-supported fixed dental prosthesis · 36 months Metal‐free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations (2017) · Cochrane | OR 2.80 [0.66, 11.92] | 1 study · 36 participants | Very low |
Resorbable (bioresorbable) plates or screws for fixation vs Titanium plates or screws for fixation Superficial and deep wound infection (adverse effect) · Adults (>16 years old) undergoing orthognathic surgery · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery (2017) · Cochrane | The trialists did not differentiate between superficial and deep wound infection. Three (10%) of the patients in each group developed infections accounting for six plates: 3/196 (1.53%) in the titanium group and 3/165… | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
ART using glass ionomer cement (GIC) vs Conventional treatment using amalgam Participant experience (co-operation during procedure) · Children and adolescents with dental caries (primary teeth and permanent immature teeth) Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries (2017) · Cochrane | Ling 2003 assessed participant co-operation during procedures, showing a co-operation rate in the ART group significantly higher than in the control group (no summary statistic reported). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Number of days of treatment with opioid analgesics · 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 -1.41 [-3.33, 0.51] | 2 studies · 323 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, or polaprezinc) vs Placebo Adverse events · Patients with taste disturbances (dysgeusia/hypogeusia; idiopathic, zinc-deficient, or secondary to chronic renal… · 12 to 18 weeks Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | RR 5.20 [0.90, 30.19] | 3 studies · 335 participants | Very low |
Venalot Depot (coumarin plus troxerutin) vs Placebo Salivary flow rate · 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 | Sialometric data dropped to an unmeasurable level in both groups; abandoned as a marker of efficacy (Grotz 2001) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs No treatment/placebo Hypotension (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 9.20 [2.84, 29.83] | 3 studies · 376 participants | Low |