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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. Words match anywhere in the field.
830 questions in 43 reviews · Orthodontics
current versionsNo studies 186 · 22.4%Ungraded 410 · 49.4%Very low 122 · 14.7%Low 79 · 9.5%Moderate 30 · 3.6%High 3 · 0.4%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Position of the incisors (upper incisor inclination) · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · End of treatment (about 2 years) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | The angulation of the upper incisors with the palatal plane (1/ANSPNS) decreased on average 0.3 (SD 4.6) degrees in the control group, whereas in the treated group the mean retrusion was 4 (SD 4.6) degrees, P < 0.01.… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Alteration of hyperdivergent growth pattern · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · End of treatment (about 2 years) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Multiple cephalometric measures reported (Erbay 1995). Treated group: total anterior facial height (N-Me) +3.9 (SD 1.8) mm, upper anterior facial height (N-ANS) +3.3 (SD 1.2) mm; controls showed significantly greater… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Duration of overall treatment · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | SMD -0.25 [-0.62, 0.12] | 3 studies · 111 participants | Low |
Pre-drilling mini-screw implant vs Self-drilling mini-screw implant Success of the anchorage device · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | RR 1.12 [0.91, 1.38] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Economic evaluation (costs) · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Outcome proposed in the review but not found in any included study. The review states: 'The other outcomes proposed in this review were not found: stability of anterior open bite correction; reduction of snoring; signs… | 0 studies | No studies |
Dual mini-screw implant vs Single mini-screw implant Mesiodistal movement of the upper first permanent molar · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | MD 1.62 [0.98, 2.26] | 1 study · 25 participants | Ungraded |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Duration of space closure · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | SMD -0.09 [-0.54, 0.35] | 3 studies · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Reduction of snoring · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Outcome proposed in the review but not found in any included study. The review states: 'The other outcomes proposed in this review were not found: stability of anterior open bite correction; reduction of snoring; signs… | 0 studies | No studies |
Repelling-magnet splints vs Bite-blocks Anterior open bite correction · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · About 4 months (treatment interrupted early) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Could not be analysed statistically. After 4 months the open bite was observed to close in the magnet group, but in four out of these ten patients transverse problems (unilateral crossbite) were observed, which led to… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Number of visits · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | MD 7.01 [3.47, 10.55] | 1 study · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Dual mini-screw implant vs Single mini-screw implant Patient acceptability · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | Acceptability was not reported in any of the studies comparing two types of surgical anchorage | 0 studies | No studies |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Patient perception: pain · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | Reported narratively in 1 study (Feldmann 2007) on a VAS 0-100; the first evening after the intervention pain was significantly higher for surgical group A (P=0.002) and conventional group C (P=0.007) than surgical… | 1 study · 113 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-drilling mini-screw implant vs Self-drilling mini-screw implant Patient perception: pain · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | Self-reported pain on insertion (0-4 scale): pre-drilling mean 0.73 (SD 1.1; median 0.00, IQR 0-3) vs self-drilling mean 1.87 (SD 1.13; median 2.0, IQR 0-4); 1 study (Lehnen 2011), 30 participants | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Removable appliance with palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup vs No treatment Position of the incisors (upper incisor inclination) · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · End of treatment (12 months) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | The author reported that data (1.NA, 1-NA, 1-PP, 1.NB, 1-NB, 1-GoMe) showed a statistically significant difference. There was palatal inclination of the upper incisors in the intervention group that contributed to… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Frankel's function regulator-4 (FR-4) with lip-seal training vs No treatment Side effects / tolerability · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | Outcome proposed in the review but not found in any included study. The review states: 'The other outcomes proposed in this review were not found: stability of anterior open bite correction; reduction of snoring; signs… | 0 studies | No studies |
Removable appliance with palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup vs No treatment Failure to correct the anterior open bite (open bite not closed) · Children and adolescents (over 80% aged 16 years or younger at treatment start) with anterior open bite (lack of… · End of treatment (12 months) Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children (2014) · Cochrane | RR 0.23 [0.11, 0.48] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Dual mini-screw implant vs Single mini-screw implant Adverse effects · Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment requiring surgical (mini-screw implant) anchorage Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported in any of the studies comparing two types of surgical anchorage | 0 studies | No studies |
Surgical anchorage (mini-screw or mid-palatal implant) vs Conventional anchorage (headgear, transpalatal/palatal arch, etc.) Economic factors · Patients of any age undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and requiring anchorage (adolescents to… Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods (2014) · Cochrane | No studies reported on economic evaluation | 0 studies | No studies |
Self etching primers (one-step etchant and primer system) vs Conventional etchants (two-step etch and prime method using 37% phosphoric acid) Cost of treatment · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Cost of treatment: No studies assessed this outcome. | NR | No studies |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Non-compliance rate of the intervention · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Non-compliance rate was not reported in the studies of this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Self etching primers (one-step etchant and primer system) vs Conventional etchants (two-step etch and prime method using 37% phosphoric acid) Damage to the teeth · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Damage to the teeth: No studies assessed this outcome. | NR | No studies |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Treatment time · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Cost-benefit consideration · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Patient discomfort · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Number of attendances required to complete treatment · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Number of attendances required to complete treatment was not reported by these studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Transbond Plus self etching primer (3M Unitek) vs Clearfil Protect Bond self etching primer (Kuraray Medical) Bond failure rate · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Self etching primers versus self etching primers: Two split-mouth studies compared two different SEPs (Noble 2006; Paschos 2009). The failure rates were reported at tooth level rather than at participant level. We… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Stability of the correction · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Duration of treatment · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Duration of treatment was not reported in the studies of the appliance-versus-untreated-control comparison ("Duration of treatment, non-compliance, number of attendances required to complete treatment and adverse… | 0 studies | No studies |
Self etching primers (one-step etchant and primer system) vs Conventional etchants (two-step etch and prime method using 37% phosphoric acid) Bond failure rate · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars · 5 to 37 months Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.14 [0.75, 1.73] | 5 studies · 221 participants | Low |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Movement of upper incisor teeth (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | SoF table 1. Assumed risk "Not estimated"; Corresponding risk "Not estimated"; Relative effect "Meta-analysis not appropriate". Comment: "No pooled estimate due to different types of appliances (First Class and… | 2 studies · 74 participants | Low |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Movement of upper first molars (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | MD -1.45 [-2.74, -0.15] | 4 studies · 150 participants | Very low |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Number of attendances required to complete treatment · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Number of attendances required to complete treatment was not reported in the studies of this comparison (not reported by any included study across the review). | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Non-compliance rate of the intervention · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Non-compliance rate not reported ("The remaining secondary outcomes and adverse effects were not reported by these studies"). | 0 studies | No studies |
Transbond Plus self etching primer (3M Unitek) vs Clearfil Protect Bond self etching primer (Kuraray Medical) Decay (decalcification) associated with or around the etching field · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Decalcification outcomes in Paschos 2009 were reported at tooth level rather than at participant level; the evidence was insufficient to conclude whether or not there is a difference in decalcification between the… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Quality of life · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Adverse effects (headgear injuries, gum health, tooth damage/decay, root resorption) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported by these studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Duration of treatment · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Duration of treatment reported by 2 studies (Altug-Atac 2008, Karacay 2006); not GRADE-rated and not in a SoF table. 3D bimetric distalising arch 3.4 months vs modified Begg intraoral distalising system 6.5 months (MD… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Adverse effects including pain, gingivitis, enamel decalcification and root resorption · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
Transbond Plus self etching primer (3M Unitek) vs First Step self etching primer (Reliance Orthodontic Products) Bond failure rate · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Noble 2006 (split-mouth) compared Transbond Plus versus First Step SEP; the bond failure rate was reported at tooth level rather than at participant level and was not amenable to analysis; the evidence was insufficient… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antibiotics (systemic) vs No antibiotics, placebo, or a different type of antibiotic Outcome NR · Patients (mainly children and young adults) with a history of dental trauma and a diagnosis of luxation (intrusion,… · Minimum 12 months follow-up Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: luxated (dislodged) teeth (2013) · Cochrane | Types of antibiotics: the effect of using no antibiotics, a placebo or different types of antibiotics. Main results: No randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials were found; no study was included in this review. | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Duration of treatment · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Duration of treatment (to end of molar distalisation) reported by 3 studies (120 participants); not GRADE-rated and not in a SoF table. Bondemark 2005: intraoral appliance with superelastic coils 5.2 months (SD 1) vs… | 3 studies · 120 participants | Ungraded |
Different etching materials (phosphoric acid, polyacrylic acid, maleic acid, etc.), acid concentrations or etching times vs An alternative etching material, concentration or etching time Outcome NR · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | We identified no eligible trial that examined the effects of conventional etchants with respect to different etching concentrations or etching times for the bonding of fixed orthodontic appliances. No eligible RCTs… | NR | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Adverse effects (headgear injuries, gum health, tooth damage/decay, root resorption) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were not reported by these studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Non-compliance rate of the intervention · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Non-compliance rate not reported ("The remaining secondary outcomes and adverse effects were not reported by these studies"). | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Movement of upper incisor teeth (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | MD 1.82 [1.39, 2.24] | 4 studies · 150 participants | Low |
Self etching primers (one-step etchant and primer system) vs Conventional etchants (two-step etch and prime method using 37% phosphoric acid) Participant satisfaction · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Participant satisfaction: No studies assessed this outcome. | NR | No studies |
Dental repositioning vs Spontaneous re-eruption, orthodontic repositioning, or surgical repositioning Outcome NR · Patients (mainly children and young adults) with a history of dental trauma and a diagnosis of luxation (intrusion,… · Minimum 12 months follow-up Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: luxated (dislodged) teeth (2013) · Cochrane | Types of dental repositioning: to compare spontaneous re-eruption, orthodontic repositioning or surgical repositioning. Main results: No randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials were found; no study was… | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Another (different) intraoral distalising appliance Movement of upper first molars (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | SoF table 3 (intraoral vs other intraoral appliance). Assumed risk "Not estimated"; Corresponding risk "Not estimated"; Relative effect "Meta-analysis not appropriate". Quality: very low. Comment: "No pooled estimate… | 3 studies · 93 participants | Very low |
Intraoral distalising appliance vs Headgear (extraoral appliance) Change in overjet (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | MD 1.64 [1.26, 2.02] | 2 studies · 70 participants | Low |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Aesthetic assessment by participants and practitioners · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |