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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.
10,375 questions in 429 reviews · Oral Health
current versionsNo studies 1,344 · 13%Ungraded 6,832 · 65.9%Very low 1,228 · 11.8%Low 613 · 5.9%Moderate 290 · 2.8%High 68 · 0.7%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | Not estimable. No included study assessed bad breath as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Primary dental health aide (PDHA) service-delivery models (PDHA program; PDHA + intensive staffing; PDHA + robust prevention) vs Baseline pre-intervention service-delivery scenario Projected Significant Caries (SiC) index · Alaska Native children (below age 18) · 20-year projection, Children overall Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Significant Caries (SiC) index, children 6.1 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Pre-radiotherapy extraction of healthy molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (leaving the teeth in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice) Overall survival · Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer planned to undergo any type of radiotherapy (external beam, intensity… Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (bleeding and gingival indices; standardised across indices) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older · 1 month (4 to 6 weeks) Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | SMD -0.53 [-0.81, -0.24] | 7 studies · 326 participants | Low |
Primary dental health aide (PDHA) service-delivery models (PDHA program; PDHA + intensive staffing; PDHA + robust prevention) vs Baseline pre-intervention service-delivery scenario Projected proportion of caries-free children (5-18 years) · Alaska Native children (below age 18) · 20-year projection, Baseline (pre-intervention) model Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Caries-free children 5-18 y (%) 0 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Preimplantation complications · Patients who have had radiotherapy and who have missing teeth that require replacement with osseointegrated dental… Interventions for replacing missing teeth: hyperbaric oxygen therapy for irradiated patients who require… (2013) · Cochrane | Analysis 1.1 (Dichotomous outcomes: Preimplantation complications): Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI), totals not selected; not estimable (no events in either arm). | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-radiotherapy extraction of diseased molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (restoration of the teeth and leaving them in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice) Trismus preventing further restorative treatment · Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer planned to undergo any type of radiotherapy (external beam, intensity… Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Intervention NR Caries occurrence on sealed teeth · 12 months, original datasets only (permanent teeth) The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: glass-ionomer versus resin… (2013) | RR 2.61 [0.61, 11.14] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Oral health assessment · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.818 [0.751, 0.873] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) fissure sealants vs Resin-based fissure sealants Caries occurrence on sealed teeth · Sealed permanent teeth · 12 months, 12 months (permanent teeth) The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: glass-ionomer versus resin… (2013) | RR 1.66 [0.75, 3.68] | 5 studies · 1952 participants | Ungraded |
Two lag screws vs One lag screw (with arch bars and IMF) Restoration of function (occlusion) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Restoration of the original occlusion, assessed visually, was similar in both groups (P>0.05); occlusal correction was not achieved in one participant in the two-lag-screws group. Surrogate/proxy outcome. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Combined paracetamol plus ibuprofen in a single tablet (e.g. paracetamol 1000 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg or 500/200 mg) vs Single drugs given separately (paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg) Proportion of patients with >50% maximum pain relief (TOTPAR) over 2 hours · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · 2 hours postdosing, Paracetamol 1000 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg vs paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.29 [0.91, 1.85] | 1 study · 170 participants | Moderate |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Root caries at 36 months (Katz Root Caries Index) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 36 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.31 [-0.39, -0.23] | 1 study · 1357 participants | Moderate |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with approximal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.824 [0.761, 0.875] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Zygomatic implants without bone grafts (as a complete alternative to any bone augmentation procedure) vs Conventional dental implants in augmented maxillae Prosthesis failure (prosthesis could not be placed or loss of prosthesis secondary to implant failure) · Participants with an atrophic maxilla who cannot be rehabilitated with conventional dental implants due to lack of… · At least 1 year in function Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in zygomatic bone for the rehabilitation of the… (2013) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 'Zygomatic implants versus conventional implants'; Prosthesis failure: Assumed risk (conventional) Low risk population 10 per 1000, High risk population 100 per 1000; Corresponding risk (zygomatic)… | 0 studies | No studies |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Gingival bleeding at 6 to 7 months (Gingivitis Severity Index, proportion of sites bleeding, i.e. 2 or 3 on the Loe-Silness Gingival Index) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 6 to 7 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.13 [-0.17, -0.08] | 15 studies · 1998 participants | Moderate |
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR, sROC AUC) similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=65%.… | NR | Ungraded |
Resin composite restorations (filling and bonding systems) containing antibacterial agents vs Composite restorations not containing antibacterial agents Secondary caries · Adults and adolescents in any age group with restorations in the permanent dentition and children with restorations in… Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries (2013) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review, as we were unable to find any trials directly comparing antibacterial containing composites to other active interventions or controls. | 0 studies | No studies |
Transbuccal miniplate combined with intraoral approach vs Intraoral approach alone Non-union · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.0 [0.17, 5.79] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Duration of effectiveness · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Resin composite restorations (filling and bonding systems) containing antibacterial agents vs Composite restorations not containing antibacterial agents Costs (direct costs of interventions) · Adults and adolescents in any age group with restorations in the permanent dentition and children with restorations in… Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries (2013) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review, as we were unable to find any trials directly comparing antibacterial containing composites to other active interventions or controls. | 0 studies | No studies |
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); pooled DOR higher for LF (and FC) than for LFpen. Heterogeneity I2=77%. Numeric pooled values not available in the… | NR | Ungraded |
3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates Requirement for additional (surgical) interventions (post-operative MMF/IMF) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.47 [0.25, 0.88] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Electrostimulation (device) vs Placebo (sham/placebo device) Oral health assessment · Adults with dry mouth due to Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.842 [0.756, 0.907] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Patient outcomes: mean percentage of 0- to 15-year-olds having one or more teeth extracted · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 3 years, Rural community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.70 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Stepwise excavation (two-stage caries removal, re-entry after an interval) vs One stage complete caries removal Pulp exposure during caries removal · Patients with carious teeth, affecting any tooth surface(s), in unrestored primary and permanent teeth · During caries removal, Secondary dentition Operative caries management in adults and children (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.51 [0.36, 0.72] | 3 studies · 454 participants | Moderate |
Dental care provided by dental health aide therapists (DHATs, mid-level providers) vs Dental care provided by dentists (or no comparison group) Technical performance / deficient restorations (DHATs vs dentists) · Alaska Native dental patients (children aged 6-17 and adults) and their caregivers · Cross-sectional (DHATs practising ~9 months to several years), Amalgam restorations Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Deficient restorations (%), DHAT vs dentist 12 vs 22 (DHAT vs dentist) | 2 studies | Ungraded |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs No comparison group Clinical care quality · Alaska dental health aide therapists · 9 months Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Four practising DHATs met Indian Health Service guidelines for record keeping and standards of care for cavity preparation and restoration, patient management, and patient safety. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Measures of health service utilisation: mean number of visits per 0- to 15-year-old · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 3 years, Commuter suburb community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.4 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Relative DOR by reference standard (LFpen, initial, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold, Other reference standard vs histological (reference) Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | RDOR 4.41 [0.19, 103.92] | NR | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Caries occurrence on sealed teeth · 6 months, original datasets only (permanent teeth) The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: glass-ionomer versus resin… (2013) | RR 1.81 [0.39, 8.37] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Moderate soft tissue deformity · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement · 1 month Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 6.4 [0.80, 51.3] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Prosthetic failure · Patients who have had radiotherapy and who have missing teeth that require replacement with osseointegrated dental… · 1 year after delivery of the prosthesis Interventions for replacing missing teeth: hyperbaric oxygen therapy for irradiated patients who require… (2013) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 67.06] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Risk of loss of complete retention · Main analysis; GIC-based (Mat 2) Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. (2013) | Mean risk (proportion of sealed teeth) 0.84 (SD 0.19) | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, primary teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.354 [0.324, 0.385] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
A permanent restorative material or technique (e.g. amalgam; glass ionomer (type I-IV); composite resin (macrofilled, microfilled, hybrid, nanofilled); resin-modified glass ionomer (compomer, giomer); cement/cermet; stainless steel or nickel-chrome crown; pre-fabricated resin/porcelain veneer facing; microabrasion) vs A different permanent restorative material or technique Outcome NR · Children and adolescents under 18 years with amelogenesis imperfecta requiring restorative care of anterior teeth,… Interventions for the restorative care of amelogenesis imperfecta in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Main results: No studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Effects of interventions: No studies met the inclusion criteria. | 0 studies | No studies |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Gingivitis at 6 to 9 months (Loe-Silness Gingival Index, 0 to 3 scale) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 6 to 9 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.27 [-0.33, -0.21] | 20 studies · 2743 participants | Moderate |
Immediate loading vs Early loading Prosthesis failure · Patients who are having osseointegrated root-form dental implants · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.69 [0.25, 1.87] | 4 studies · 408 participants | Very low |
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 |
Pre-radiotherapy extraction of healthy molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (leaving the teeth in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice) Trismus preventing further restorative treatment · Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer planned to undergo any type of radiotherapy (external beam, intensity… Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Pre-radiotherapy extraction of diseased molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (restoration of the teeth and leaving them in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice) Development of post-radiotherapy dental complications (caries, fractured teeth, periapical infection, periodontal disease, osteoradionecrosis) · Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer planned to undergo any type of radiotherapy (external beam, intensity… Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates Restoration of function (occlusion) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | All participants in both groups in Jain 2010 had "satisfactory post-operative occlusion"; it is unclear whether a validated tool was used. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Costs · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 9 years (three cycles) Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | The costs associated with the screening programme were reported after three cycles (nine years) (Subramanian 2009) (Additional Table 8). The benefit produced by a screen was 269.31 life-years saved per 100,000 for all… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Combined paracetamol plus ibuprofen in a single tablet (e.g. paracetamol 1000 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg or 500/200 mg) vs Single drugs given separately (paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg) Adverse events · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · Study period (immediate postoperative) Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2013) · Cochrane | The majority of adverse events were minor in nature and usually included nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Side effect profiles have not been included in a meta-analysis as multiple adverse events were… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Plaque severity at 6 to 7 months (Plaque Severity Index, proportion of surfaces scoring > 3 on the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 6 to 7 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.15 [-0.20, -0.10] | 13 studies · 1850 participants | Moderate |
PDHA program vs Baseline pre-intervention scenario Clinic-based dental care utilization · Alaska children · 20 years Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Percentage-point increase 15 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.718 [0.683, 0.751] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
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 |