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.
866 questions in 43 reviews · Oral and maxillofacial surgery
current versionsNo studies 188 · 21.7%Ungraded 548 · 63.3%Very low 81 · 9.4%Low 37 · 4.3%Moderate 8 · 0.9%High 4 · 0.5%
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 Pain on daily activity (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 -1.12 [-3.12, 0.88] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Oral cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxant) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 3 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Herman et al 2002 (cyclobenzaprine) 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… | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |
Oral celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) vs Placebo Pain intensity (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 6 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.03 [-0.40, 0.45] | 1 study · 68 participants | Ungraded |
Topical capsaicin (0.025% cream) vs Placebo Maximum pain while on medication (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 -0.91 [-2.89, 1.07] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Oral naproxen (NSAID) vs Placebo Pain intensity (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 6 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD -1.70 [-2.14, -1.25] | 1 study · 68 participants | 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) Aesthetics assessed by dentist: position of the perimplant tissues · 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 | One year after placement, there were no statistically significant differences for the level of the perimplant marginal mucosa in relation to that of the adjacent teeth (Lindeboom 2006). | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Oral diclofenac sodium (NSAID) vs Placebo Tenderness on palpation of three or more masticatory muscles · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 2 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.34, 1.67] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Oral glucosamine hydrochloride/chondroitin sulphate 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… · 3 months Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Two allergic reactions and one severe abdominal pain led to three withdrawals from the intervention group in the study by Nguyen et al 2001. | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Oral naproxen (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… · 6 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Ta and Dionne 2004 (naproxen) reported adverse effects. Per the review: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects were mild and similar to the adverse effects… | 1 study · 68 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Non-resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) Major complications at the implant/donor site · 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 | Four complications occurred: two dehiscences in the resorbable group; one abscess and one dehiscence in the resorbable + autogenous bone group; none in the non-resorbable group. No statistically significant differences… | 1 study · 23 participants | Ungraded |
Oral celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 6 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Ta and Dionne 2004 (celecoxib) reported adverse effects. Per the review: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects were mild and similar to the adverse effects… | 1 study · 68 participants | Ungraded |
Oral propranolol (beta-blocker) vs Placebo Reduction in pain intensity rating · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 1 week per period (cross-over) Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Tchivileva et al 2010: Reduction in pain intensity rating (primary outcome) comparing propranolol treatment to placebo treatment did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.104); pairwise differences between… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Prosthesis failure · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · up to 5 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | After 2 years (and up to 5 years) there were no statistically significant differences for prosthesis failures (Schropp 2003). | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Oral clonazepam (benzodiazepine) 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… · 60 days Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | One participant in the clonazepam group withdrew from the study by Harkins et al 1991 due to severe headache. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation Major complications at the implant/donor site · 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 | Two complications occurred in the group treated with autogenous bone (one abscess that determined the early failure of the implant and one wound dehiscence); none in the control group. | 1 study · 26 participants | Ungraded |
Oral glucosamine hydrochloride/chondroitin sulphate vs Placebo Pain intensity (VAS) · 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 -0.70 [-2.16, 0.76] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Oral diclofenac sodium (NSAID) vs Placebo Severe or very severe symptoms · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 2 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.42, 1.84] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Oral diclofenac sodium (NSAID) vs Placebo Daily pain (not improved) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 2 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.49, 1.04] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Overall survival · Patients with a pathological diagnosis of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Calcitonin (salmon calcitonin nasal spray 200 IU/day) vs Placebo Increase in volume of more than 10% compared to the pretreatment measurement · Patients with histologically confirmed CGCG in one or both jaws and normal serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH)… · 3 months Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | RR 3.0 [0.40, 22.30] | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Quality of life (validated questionnaire) · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures (2009) · Cochrane | Planned secondary outcome not assessed: none of the retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria, so no data were available for analysis. Verbatim (Effects of interventions): "Although 53 studies were retrieved in our… | 0 studies | No studies |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Disease-free survival · Patients with a pathological diagnosis of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Resectability · Patients with a pathological diagnosis of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Quality of life · Patients with a pathological diagnosis of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Calcitonin (salmon calcitonin nasal spray 200 IU/day) vs Placebo Adverse events · Patients with histologically confirmed CGCG in one or both jaws and normal serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH)… Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws (2009) · Cochrane | Adverse events were not described separately for each group. Trialists reported that adverse events were in most patients minimal and consisted of nausea, flushes and some dizziness. One patient had diarrhoea which… | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Postoperative swelling assessment · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · 0 to 48 hours after surgery Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures (2009) · Cochrane | Planned secondary outcome not assessed: none of the retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria, so no data were available for analysis. Verbatim (Effects of interventions): "Although 53 studies were retrieved in our… | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Adverse reactions · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 1 year Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | Only Goudot 2000 reported adverse reactions. Arthroscopy group: one transient frontal palsy (during 3 months); one cervico-facial oedema requiring prolonged intubation (12 hours). Arthrocentesis group: two severe… | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Degree of function postoperatively (mastication, swallowing, speech) · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures (2009) · Cochrane | Planned primary outcome not assessed: none of the retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria, so no data were available for analysis. Verbatim (Effects of interventions): "Although 53 studies were retrieved in our… | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Overall success (compound score combining pain and MIO) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 6 to 24 months Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | RR 0.92 [0.56, 1.49] | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Adverse effects (insufficient fixation; re-operation/revision; plate exposure; superficial or deep wound infection; sinus tract; wound dehiscence; giant cell/foreign body or inflammatory reaction; post-traumatic dystrophy) · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures (2009) · Cochrane | Planned adverse-effects outcome not assessed: none of the retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria, so no data were available for analysis. Verbatim (Effects of interventions): "Although 53 studies were retrieved… | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Temporomandibular joint tenderness · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported temporomandibular joint tenderness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Quality of life · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | No data about quality of life were reported by the included trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Deviation of the mandible · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported deviation of the mandible. | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Pain (VAS) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 24 months Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | MD -1.00 [-2.12, 0.12] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Patient satisfaction (questionnaire) · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · Up to 3 years postoperatively Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures (2009) · Cochrane | Planned secondary outcome not assessed: none of the retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria, so no data were available for analysis. Verbatim (Effects of interventions): "Although 53 studies were retrieved in our… | 0 studies | No studies |