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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Muscular 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 muscular tenderness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Direct costs (plates, supporting equipment, hospital bed days, retreatment) · 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 cost 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 |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Analgesic medication used (type, dose, frequency) · 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 |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Need for retreatment or replacement of fixation due to failure of the fixation · 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 |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Adverse events · 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 |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Any chronic or lasting pain measured using any validated scale after 3 weeks · Participants over 18 years of age with fractures of the facial skeleton including the mandible, maxilla, zygoma… · After 3 weeks 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 Maximum bite force · 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 maximum bite force. | 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) Complete remission · 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 |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Status of occlusion (e.g. Angle's classification, ANB, Wits analysis) · 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 |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Maximum incisal (mouth) opening (MIO) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 6 to 24 months (Fridrich); 12 months (Goudot) Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane | MD -5.28 [-7.10, -3.46] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Bioresorbable plates or screws (or both) vs Titanium plates or screws (used as lag screws) or both Healing and union of fracture (versus mal-union and non-union) · 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 |
Primary surgical intervention (curettage, peripheral osteotomy, or resection) vs Primary non-surgical intervention (intralesional corticosteroids, subcutaneous calcitonin, interferon alpha, or imatinib) Partial reduction · 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) Recurrence · 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 |
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy Improvement in pain (proportion of participants improved/healed) · 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 | RR 1.09 [0.87, 1.38] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Quality of life (self or carer evaluated, validated questionnaires) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | No data were available for this patient-reported outcome in the single included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Instrumental assessment: nasalance score (nasometry and pressure-flow measure) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | Nasalance score by nasometry and pressure-flow measure: the single included trial (Ysunza 2001) provided no data for this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Self-esteem (validated questionnaires) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | No data were available for this patient-reported outcome in the single included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Instrumental assessment: velopharyngeal complete closure and gap size (videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy) · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… · 3 months post-operatively Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | Complete closure occurred in 32 (86%) of the participants in group 1 (MIPP) and in 31 (89%) in group 2, P > 0.05. After eliminating the nine patients with residual velopharyngeal insufficiency, the post-operative gap… | 1 study · 72 participants | Ungraded |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Adverse effect: failure of muscle fusion in the region of the cleft after surgery · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | There were no reports of failure of muscle fusion after surgery. | 1 study · 72 participants | Ungraded |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Adverse effect: unacceptable nasal resonance after repair · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | The trial report provided no information on this adverse event; no information on adverse events or serious complications was reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Adverse effect: obstructive sleep apnoea or airway compromise · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | The investigators stated that none of the participants reported obstructive sleep apnoea after the interventions. | 1 study · 72 participants | Ungraded |
Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) Perceptual speech assessment: residual post-operative velopharyngeal insufficiency · Children or adolescents aged 3 years or older with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) associated with non-syndromic… · 3 months post-operatively Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate (2008) · Cochrane | Five (14%) of the participants in group 1 (MIPP) and four (11%) in group 2 had residual post-operative velopharyngeal insufficiency, P > 0.05. The report provided no details on post-operative speech assessment other… | 1 study · 72 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 4 hours (using pain intensity measurements / SPID) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 4 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 4.87 [2.83, 8.37] | 17 studies · 1658 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 6 hours (using pain intensity measurements / SPID) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 6 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 3.41 [2.34, 4.97] | 13 studies · 1184 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Patients with one or more adverse events · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · up to 7 days Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.19 [0.90, 1.57] | 17 studies · 1645 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 6 hours (using pain relief measurements / TOTPAR) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 6 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 3.32 [1.88, 5.87] | 13 studies · 1155 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 4 hours (using pain relief measurements / TOTPAR) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 4 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 2.85 [1.89, 4.29] | 16 studies · 1498 participants | Ungraded |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Treatment credibility · 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 -0.10 [-0.69, 0.49] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Pain (unpleasantness/intensity/palpation) · 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 1.44 [0.81, 2.58] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Movement (increase in maximal 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 | MD 1.45 [-1.47, 4.37] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation Pain (reduction in pain on palpation) · 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 relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): reduction in pain on palpation. Okeson 1983 showed a significant reduction favouring SS; Winocur 2002 did not. Significant heterogeneity (P<0.01, I2=98.3%) meant the data… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Helkimo clinical dysfunction index · 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 1.11 [0.64, 1.92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Pain (palpation and on 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 | RR 0.63 [0.24, 1.65] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Pain (severity/muscle palpation) · 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 0.30 [-0.48, 1.08] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises Pain (TMJ, muscle, on movement) · 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): improvements in all pain outcomes (TMJ pain, muscle pain, pain on movement) for both groups at 3 and 6 months; no statistically significant between-group difference at any time… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation Movement (maximal 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 | SS vs relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): change in maximal mouth opening (active/comfortable and assisted/painful). Significant heterogeneity (active/comfortable P<0.01, I2=92.9%; assisted/painful P<0.01, I2=94%);… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management 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 5.50 [1.49, 9.51] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Quality of life · 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 0.12 [0.02, 0.90] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Overall improvement of symptoms · 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 1.13 [0.79, 1.61] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises Overall improvement · 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): overall improvement at 3 months and greater than 3 months; no statistically significant between-group difference; a follow-up questionnaire 1 to 4 years later showed a lasting… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Psychosocial outcomes · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | There were no data on psychosocial outcomes, costs or quality of life in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Headache (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.90 [0.13, 6.08] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |