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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Minimal/no treatment Pain (severity/palpation; PSS, PPI, VAS) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD -3.20 [-4.81, -1.59] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.78, 1.00] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Proportion of children developing new caries (permanent) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.90 [0.60, 1.37] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.05 [-0.05, 0.15] | 4 studies · 1678 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises TMJ clicking · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · up to 6 months Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs jaw exercises (Magnusson 1999): TMJ clicking at 3 months and greater than 3 months; no statistically significant between-group difference. Forest-plot data presented, totals not pooled. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Visual feedback Movement (lateral mandibular movement) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs visual feedback (Monteiro 1988): both SS and visual feedback groups showed a significant decrease in lateral mandibular movement scores (P<0.01); data were unavailable for analysis. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.67, 1.17] | 3 studies · 1697 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.72, 1.40] | 1 study · 344 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Adverse effects (tooth staining and other side effects) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Adverse-effect data scarcely reported: a stain score in one trial and 'any side effects' in one trial without complete or useable data (stated 'no side effects observed in both groups'). No useful information on tooth… | NR | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Adverse reactions · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; no adverse-reaction data were reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Bite plates Helkimo dysfunction score · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.68 [0.20, 2.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.22, 2.59] | 1 study · 196 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.23 [0.04, 0.43] | 2 studies · 497 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.29 [0.61, 2.71] | 2 studies · 294 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Movement (deviation and range of mouth opening) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.55 [0.35, 0.84] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Enamel fluorosis (adverse effect) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Pain following treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; pain following treatment was not reported by the included trial (earlier trial publications reported treatment times, not pain). | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Adverse events · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… · To 6 months Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Baysan 2003 stated that no adverse events were reported to 6 months; no information was provided by Abu-Naba'a 2003 or Abu-Naba'a 2003pilot. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Restoration failure (longevity) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (data by restoration, not pooled; no statistical analysis possible). Failures over 2-year follow-up: direct resin composite (n=69) 4 absolute and 14 relative failures; indirect resin composite (n=54) 7… | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.21, 0.21] | 3 studies · 1256 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect veneer with no incisal edge reduction vs Indirect veneer with incisal edge reduction (1.5 mm plus short palatal bevel) Restoration survival (longevity) · Patients receiving indirect laminate veneer restorations on permanent anterior teeth · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 3): survival percentages by preparation type at 2 years (original/functional/overall) - no incisal edge reduction 98/97/95; incisal reduction 95/90/87. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Minimal/no treatment Depression (CES-D, POMS) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD -3.90 [-6.29, -1.52] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Helkimo clinical dysfunction score · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs acupuncture (Johansson 1991): Helkimo clinical dysfunction score decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.01) with no significant between-group difference; data not available for a pooled estimate. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Cost of treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; cost of treatment was not reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Patient satisfaction · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Abu-Naba'a 2003 reported participants' state of anxiety, comparing ozone treatment with traditional dental interventions (injection, drilling, filling); because no participant was randomised between ozone and drilling… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.28 [0.37, 4.41] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture TMJ clicking · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.56, 1.78] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, indirect resin composite 82%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Porcelain (indirect) veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, porcelain 93%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Caries increment in deciduous teeth: d(e)fs (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.19 | 1 study · 186 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride gel vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.02 [-0.20, 0.24] | 1 study · 252 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.48 [0.12, 0.84] | 1 study · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Proportion of children developing new caries (deciduous) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | Petersson 1985 reported the proportion of children developing one or more new carious deciduous surfaces; exactly the same proportions were reported in both groups (no evidence of a difference). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.18, 0.19] | 6 studies · 2545 participants | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Porcelain (indirect) veneer Restoration failure (longevity) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (data by restoration, not pooled; no statistical analysis possible). Failures over 2-year follow-up: direct resin composite (n=69) 4 absolute and 14 relative failures; porcelain (n=56) 0 absolute and 3… | 1 study · 125 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF -0.14 [-0.40, 0.12] | 1 study · 257 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.14 [-0.12, 0.40] | 1 study · 254 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.10 [-0.01, 0.21] | 3 studies · 759 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.93, 1.22] | 5 studies · 1998 participants | Ungraded |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Further conventional dental treatment (filling and drilling) (binary yes/no) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Data were not provided by any study on the number of lesions requiring restorations to 6 months or later; no data on any further conventional treatment or other dental interventions. | NR | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Cost · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | No data were provided in any of the included trials on costs. | NR | No studies |
Intra‐abdominal drainage vs no drainage Anastomotic dehiscence · unselected population undergoing elective colorectal anastomosis Intra‐abdominal drains for the prophylaxis of anastomotic leak in elective colorectal surgery (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.4 [0.45, 4.4] | 2 studies · 809 participants | Low |
Intra‐abdominal drainage vs no drainage Mortality · unselected population undergoing elective colorectal anastomosis Intra‐abdominal drains for the prophylaxis of anastomotic leak in elective colorectal surgery (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.77 [0.41, 1.45] | 3 studies · 908 participants | Low |
Strengthening exercise vs no exercise Change in time taken for 6m comfortable walk (seconds) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Moderate |
Strengthening exercise vs no exercise Change in isokinetic knee extension torque (Nm) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Moderate |
Strengthening exercise vs no exercise Change in endurance at 80% MVC (seconds) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 23 participants | Moderate |
Strengthening exercise vs no exercise Change in isokinetic knee flexion torque (Nm) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Moderate |
Strengthening exercise vs no exercise Change in maximal isometric voluntary contraction force (Nm) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Moderate |
Lower limb strengthening and balance exercise vs upper limb strengthening exercise % Change in activities specific balance confidence scale scores ABC scale. Scale from: 0 to 100. · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 16 participants | Moderate |
Home exercise vs no exercise Change in average muscle scores AMS. Scale from: 0 to 10. · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 28 participants | Moderate |