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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary dental health aide (PDHA) service-delivery models (PDHA program; PDHA + intensive staffing; PDHA + robust prevention) vs Baseline pre-intervention service-delivery scenario Projected receipt of school-based prevention services · Alaska Native children (below age 18) · 20-year projection Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Children receiving school-based prevention services (%) >90 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Immediate loading vs Early loading Marginal bone level changes · Patients who are having osseointegrated root-form dental implants · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.16, 0.03] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Primary school-based behavioural intervention (both oral hygiene and dietary components) vs No intervention or delayed intervention (non-intervention control; one trial's control received dental treatment plus an annual supervised toothbrushing session) Change in oral health knowledge and skills · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries (2013) · Cochrane | Worthington 2001 reported changes in oral health knowledge and skills: improvement was apparent in both intervention and control groups at the 4-month follow-up (phase one) but greater in the intervention group (34%… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Open (surgical) reduction and fixation vs Closed (non-surgical) treatment Outcome NR · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | "There were no studies comparing different types of closed interventions with one another or comparing open and closed interventions." "We found no studies that compared surgical with non-surgical treatments." | 0 studies | No studies |
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, Primary dentition Operative caries management in adults and children (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.31 [0.17, 0.57] | 2 studies · 173 participants | Moderate |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary 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 7); pooled DOR intermediate for LFpen among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=31%. Numeric pooled values not available… | NR | Ungraded |
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 |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · 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 caries as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs Dentist-delivered dental care Amalgam restoration deficiency · Alaska dental health aide therapists Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Proportion of deficient amalgam restorations 12% vs 22% | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal loading vs Non-occlusal loading Marginal bone level changes · Patients who are having osseointegrated root-form dental implants · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.03 [-0.10, 0.15] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stepwise excavation (two-stage caries removal, re-entry after an interval) vs One stage complete caries removal Signs or symptoms of pulpal disease · Patients with carious teeth, affecting any tooth surface(s), in unrestored primary and permanent teeth · 1 year Operative caries management in adults and children (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.78 [0.39, 1.58] | 2 studies · 278 participants | Moderate |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Radiographic marginal bone level changes · 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 | Radiographic bone level changes (but not used since extrapolated from oblique lateral radiographs). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Transbuccal miniplate combined with intraoral approach vs Intraoral approach alone Restoration of function (malocclusion; interincisor mouth opening) · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · 3 months, Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Persistent malocclusion was minimal, reported in one participant in each group at the 3-month follow-up. Mean interincisor mouth opening at 3 months 37.68 mm (range 17 to 50) combined approach vs 38.19 mm (range 22 to… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, approximal 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 8); LFpen showed similar values at both thresholds. Heterogeneity I2=84%. Numeric pooled values not available in the… | NR | Ungraded |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Patient satisfaction (overall denture satisfaction) · 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 | Analysis 1.2 (Overall denture satisfaction): Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI), totals not selected (value not displayed). | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Two lag screws vs One lag screw (with arch bars and IMF) Post-operative pain (average VAS score) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Average pain scores (scale 1 to 10): week 1, 6.6 (two lag screws) vs 6.4 (one lag screw); after 2 weeks, 2.5 vs 2.1. Confidence intervals were not reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Coronal caries increment at 30 to 36 months (decayed filled teeth, DFT) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 30 to 36 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.14, 0.02] | 3 studies · 6300 participants | High |
Occlusal loading vs Non-occlusal loading Implant 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 1.00 [0.31, 3.22] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs Dentist-delivered dental care Caregiver satisfaction · Caregivers of Alaska Native children aged 6 to 17 years Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Proportion usually or always satisfied >90% | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.864 [0.834, 0.890] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.779 [0.763, 0.794] | 27 studies | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Patient outcomes: mean number of decayed teeth per 14- to 15-year-old (data for 0- to 15-year-olds NR) · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 3 years, Scottish community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.15 | 1 study · 1919 participants | Low |
Prophylactic antibiotic at one dose or duration vs Same antibiotic at a different dose or duration Outcome NR · Adults undergoing dental implant placement · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications (2013) · Cochrane | No conclusive information can be derived from the only trial that compared three different durations of antibiotic prophylaxis, since no event (implant or prosthesis failures, infections or adverse events) occurred in… | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Harms of screening (false-positive/false-negative outcomes) · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 15-year follow-up Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | No harms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Electrostimulation (device) vs Placebo (sham/placebo device) Quality of life · 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 |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Adverse effects / specific side effects (oral allergic reactions, mucosal irritation, adverse symptoms such as nausea, gagging, vomiting) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | Three trials (Salazar 2008; Skold 2005; Weintraub 2006) provided data reporting no adverse effects. There was little information concerning possible adverse effects; no pooled estimate was possible. | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque (plaque 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 0.10 [-0.13, 0.33] | 7 studies · 326 participants | Low |
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Relative DOR by reference standard (LF, 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 4.13 [1.24, 13.76] | NR | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (bleeding and gingival indices; standardised across indices) · Dentate adults aged 16 years and older · 3 months (12 weeks) Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2013) · Cochrane | SMD -1.98 [-5.42, 1.47] | 2 studies · 107 participants | Very low |
Progressive loading vs Direct loading Outcome NR · Patients who are having osseointegrated root-form dental implants · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants (2013) · Cochrane | Progressive loading (direct vs progressive): no trial could be included; we did not identify any trials which evaluated progressive loading of implants. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing 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 |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Unintended effects: self-reported temptation to under-prescribe (0- to 100-point visual analogue scale) · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 3 years The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD 20.6 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resin composite restorations (filling and bonding systems) containing antibacterial agents vs Composite restorations not containing antibacterial agents Patient's view and satisfaction with the treatment · 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 |
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Chronic infection · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement · 1 month Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Chronic infection per site 1/32 (3.1%) titanium vs 0/25 resorbable (RD -3.1%); higher in the titanium group. No risk ratio estimable. | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in primary/deciduous teeth: decayed, (extraction indicated/missing) and filled teeth d(e/m)ft (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year, Primary/deciduous dentition Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | PF 0.65 [0.48, 0.82] | 2 studies · 322 participants | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Measures of clinical activity: mean percentage of 0- to 15-year-olds receiving active preventive advice · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 3 years, Northern urban community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RR 2.42 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
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 posterior 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 |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Quality of life · 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 quality of life as an outcome. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome · 12 months (1 year follow-up) Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.06 [0.01, 0.11] | 2 studies · 54 participants | Low |
Resin-based fissure sealants vs Glass-ionomer cement-based fissure sealants Retention-to-caries risk ratio (RCR) · Patients with fissure-sealed permanent molar teeth · Longest follow-up per trial, Sensitivity analysis Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. (2013) | Mean RCR (retention-to-caries risk ratio); t-test of difference Resin vs GIC difference not statistically significant (p=0.069); sensitivity-analysis mean RCRs not reported | 14 studies | Ungraded |
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) | Sensitivity 0.777 [0.706, 0.838] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs Dentist-delivered dental care Composite restoration deficiency · Alaska dental health aide therapists Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Proportion of deficient composite restorations 15% vs 12% | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Resin composite restorations (filling and bonding systems) containing antibacterial agents vs Composite restorations not containing antibacterial agents Adverse effects · 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 |
Fluorescence camera (FC) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, FC, occlusal, primary teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Specificity 0.898 [0.867, 0.924] | 2 studies | 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 6 hours · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · 6 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 1.77 [1.32, 2.39] | 1 study · 170 participants | Moderate |
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 |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.719 [0.677, 0.757] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Two miniplates (transbuccal approach) vs One miniplate plus two screws (intraoral approach at external oblique ridge) Post-operative infection · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.32 [0.41, 4.22] | 2 studies · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Oral cancer incidence · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 15-year follow-up Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.14 [0.91, 1.44] | 1 study · 191873 participants | Ungraded |