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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Post-operative neurosensory disturbance (mental nerve paraesthesia) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement · 1 month Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.77 [1.09, 2.88] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Malocclusion · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement · 1 month Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.1 [0.32, 3.82] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Calculus at 6 months (Volpe-Manhold Calculus Index in mm, mean total calculus per participant) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 6 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -2.12 [-3.39, -0.84] | 2 studies · 415 participants | Low |
Transbuccal miniplate combined with intraoral approach vs Intraoral approach alone Facial appearance (scar) · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | The investigators reported that no patients were "recorded as having an unsatisfactory scar", but it was unclear how, when and by whom the assessments were made. | 1 study | Ungraded |
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) | Sensitivity 0.831 [0.723, 0.909] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Two miniplates (transbuccal approach) vs One miniplate plus two screws (intraoral approach at external oblique ridge) Facial appearance (scarring) · Adults with fractures of the mandibular angle · Angle of mandible only Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Facial scarring, as a result of access through the transbuccal route, occurred in two participants in the two-miniplate group (Siddiqui 2007). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Test performance (sensitivity and specificity) · 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 | Across the four cycles (15 years), the reported sensitivity of the visual examination in detecting oral cancer was 67.4% (188/279). No information on the specificity or the positive predictive value of the programme… | 1 study | Ungraded |
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Requirement for additional (surgical) interventions (plate removal / re-operation) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Plate removal was statistically more likely in the titanium group (Fisher's exact P<0.05); infection led to plate removal in one titanium participant at 2 months and a further 4/21 (19%) titanium participants (six… | 1 study | Ungraded |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs Dentist-delivered dental care Consistency of diagnosis and postoperative complications · Alaska dental health aide therapists Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | There was no significant difference between DHATs and dentists in consistency of diagnosis or postoperative complications. | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 |
2 mm locking titanium plates vs 2 mm non-locking titanium plates Requirement for additional (surgical) interventions · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Only Collins 2004 provided data: 6/122 participants had minor complications (three in each group); five required surgical removal of the locking plates and one post-operative malocclusion was managed with elastic… | 1 study · 122 participants | Ungraded |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Adverse effects (tooth staining, Meckel Stain Score, 6 months) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 6 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.15 [-0.60, 0.30] | 1 study · 325 participants | Ungraded |
Two lag screws vs One lag screw (with arch bars and IMF) Post-operative adverse events and complications · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Three participants in the two-lag-screws group experienced complications: malocclusion (one) and mental-nerve paraesthesia (two, resolved after 3 months). There were no post-operative complications in the one-lag-screw… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Zygomatic implants without bone grafts (as a complete alternative to any bone augmentation procedure) vs Conventional dental implants in augmented maxillae Cost-effectiveness · 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 | Results (Effects of interventions): we could not identify any eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs). | 0 studies | No studies |
Community and caregiver oral health education (training community volunteers, health workers and site coordinators; caregiver counselling; oral health media campaign) vs Pre-intervention baseline (and sites that discontinued the prevention program) Reduction in prevalence of baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) · Alaska Native and American Indian Head Start (preschool) children · 3 to 8 years Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Percent reduction in BBTD prevalence 25 | 1 study | Ungraded |
3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates Post-operative adverse events and complications · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Jain 2010 (3D group): segmental mobility (two), proximity to mental nerve or roots (two), radiologically unsatisfactory reduction (one) and unsatisfactory fixation (four) vs one (standard); only fixation differed… | 2 studies | 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 |
Intraoperative Rapid IMF vs Eyelet wire ties Intraoperative complications · Adults with mandibular fractures excluding condyles (following open reduction) Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 2.6 [1.0, 7.0] | NR | Ungraded |
Ongoing BBTD Prevention Program vs BBTD Prevention Program discontinued in 1989 Baby bottle tooth decay prevalence · Alaska Native and American Indian Head Start children · 1986 to 1994, Program discontinued Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Percent reduction in tooth decay rate 15 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluorescence camera (FC; VistaProof) 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 highest for FC among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=80%. Numeric pooled values not available in the… | NR | Ungraded |
PDHA program vs Baseline pre-intervention scenario Mean decayed missing and filled teeth · Alaska children below age 5 years · 20 years Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Mean DMFT 7.4 to 4.9 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ongoing BBTD Prevention Program vs BBTD Prevention Program discontinued in 1989 Baby bottle tooth decay prevalence · Alaska Native and American Indian Head Start children · 1986 to 1994, Program maintained Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Percent reduction in tooth decay rate 28 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing 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 |
Intervention NR Caries occurrence on sealed teeth · 24 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 2.10 [1.23, 3.58] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Patient outcomes: mean number of filled teeth 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 -0.03 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Electrostimulation (device) vs Placebo (sham/placebo device) Adverse events · Adults with dry mouth due to Sjogren's Syndrome Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | Wong 2003 stated 'no adverse effects were caused by Codetron'; Steller 1988 and Talal 1992 did not mention whether adverse effects occurred | NR | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.809 [0.791, 0.827] | 37 studies | Ungraded |
Glass-ionomer cement-based fissure sealants vs No comparator (within-material surrogate-validity regression) Association between loss of complete retention risk and caries occurrence risk · 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) | Regression slope (ln caries risk on ln retention-loss risk) 1.44 [0.71, 2.18] | 14 studies · 2307 participants | 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) Adverse events · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries (2013) · Cochrane | No study reported any adverse events. | 0 studies | No studies |
Pre-radiotherapy dental extraction vs Post-radiotherapy dental extraction Outcome NR · 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 |
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, approximal 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 8); only LFpen had sufficient studies to pool. Heterogeneity I2=84%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided… | NR | Ungraded |
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 |
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Relative DOR by setting (LF, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory using frozen teeth vs clinical (reference) Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | RDOR 0.45 [0.12, 1.67] | NR | Ungraded |
Prophylactic systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin) vs No antibiotics or placebo Prosthesis failure · Adults undergoing dental implant placement · 3 to 5 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.44 [0.19, 1.00] | 5 studies · 1107 participants | Ungraded |
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Relative DOR by setting (LFpen, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory using frozen teeth vs clinical (reference) Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | RDOR 1.27 [0.18, 8.79] | NR | Ungraded |
Partial caries removal (single stage; residual dentinal caries sealed into the tooth definitively) vs 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 0.27 [0.05, 1.60] | 3 studies · 172 participants | Low |
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, Rural community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.85 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Dry mouth (mouth dryness, different scales) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome · End of treatment (4-6 weeks) Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | SMD -0.34 [-0.81, 0.14] | 2 studies · 70 participants | Low |
Ibuprofen (single postoperative oral dose; 200 mg to 512 mg) vs Paracetamol (acetaminophen) (single postoperative oral dose; 600 mg to 1000 mg) Patients not using rescue medication at 6 hours · Patients with pain after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (third molars) requiring bone removal or with baseline… · 6 hours postdosing, Ibuprofen 400 mg vs paracetamol 1000 mg Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.50 [1.25, 1.79] | 4 studies · 542 participants | High |
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) Patients' quality of life · 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 |
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, primary teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.672 [0.616, 0.725] | 13 studies | 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) · Primary 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 7); accuracy similar among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=0%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided… | NR | 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, Commuter suburb community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
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 |
DHAT-delivered dental care vs Dentist-delivered dental care Stainless steel crown preparation and placement deficiency · Alaska dental health aide therapists Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Proportion deficient 0% for preparations; 3% vs 9% for placements | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Toluidine blue (visual staining) vs No screening Outcome NR · Planned population: general population or high-risk / opportunistic screening groups (no eligible study) Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | There was no evidence to support the use of adjunctive technologies like toluidine blue, brush biopsy or fluorescence imaging as a screening tool to reduce oral cancer mortality; no eligible randomised controlled trial… | 0 studies | No studies |
Immediate loading vs Conventional 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 1.50 [0.60, 3.77] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Technical performance / deficient preparations (DHATs) · Composite preparations Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Deficient preparations (%) 0 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Powered toothbrush vs Manual toothbrush Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) · Adults with medication-related dry mouth · 45 minutes after brushing Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.07 [-0.74, 0.60] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) fissure sealants vs Resin-based fissure sealants Caries occurrence on sealed teeth · Sealed permanent teeth · 6 months, 6 months (permanent teeth) The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: glass-ionomer versus resin… (2013) | RR 2.04 [0.62, 6.70] | 6 studies · 1944 participants | Ungraded |