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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Immediate mobilization vs 2 weeks delayed mobilization (IMF) Requirement for additional (surgical) interventions · Adults with mandibular fractures excluding condyles (fixed with 2 mm titanium miniplates) Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | In the IMF (delayed) group, one participant (7.7%) had a wound infection and plate exposure leading to plate removal 4 months post-operatively. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Primary dental health aide (PDHA) service-delivery models (PDHA program; PDHA + intensive staffing; PDHA + robust prevention) vs Baseline pre-intervention service-delivery scenario Projected mean DMFT (children below 5 years) · Alaska Native children (below age 18) · 20-year projection Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Mean DMFT, children <5 y 4.9 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fee-for-service remuneration vs No specific intervention (control) Measures of clinical activity: mean percentage of 12- to 14-year-olds receiving fissure sealants for second permanent molars per dentist (weighted by number of children seen) - adjusted · Dentists seeing children with erupted second permanent molars (Scotland, in areas representing the four most deprived… · 18 months The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RD 9.8 [1.8, 17.8] | 1 study · 133 participants | Very low |
Resin composite restorations (filling and bonding systems) containing antibacterial agents vs Composite restorations not containing antibacterial agents Longevity of restorations (time to failure in months) · 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 |
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, Northern urban community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.16 | 1 study · 1919 participants | Low |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Movement of upper first molars (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | SoF table 1 (orthodontic appliance vs untreated control). Illustrative comparative risks: Assumed risk (untreated control) "Not estimated"; Corresponding risk (orthodontic appliance) "Not estimated"; Relative effect… | 2 studies · 74 participants | Low |
Orthodontic distalising appliance (intraoral or extraoral) vs Untreated control (no treatment) Change in overjet (mm) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at the start of treatment) undergoing orthodontic treatment to… Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | 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 |
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) · 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 LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=75%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided… | NR | Ungraded |
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), Stainless steel crowns Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions… (2013) | Deficient placements (%), DHAT vs dentist 3 vs 9 (DHAT vs dentist) | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Two lag screws vs One lag screw (with arch bars and IMF) Intraoperative complications · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Drill-bit fracture occurred during preparation in one participant in the two-lag-screws group. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Powered toothbrush vs Manual toothbrush Dry mouth (xerostomia) · Adults with medication-related dry mouth Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | Papas 2006 used a VAS to measure mouth dryness but did not report dry mouth outcome data | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Implant 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 2.5 [0.60, 10.46] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Survival (proportion alive after diagnosis) · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 5-year survival Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | A significantly higher five-year survival rate was reported in the screened group (55.5%) compared to the control (43.4%) (P value = 0.003). | 1 study · 523 participants | Ungraded |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Periodontitis at 36 months (attachment loss > 0 mm) · 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 | RR 0.92 [0.67, 1.27] | 1 study · 480 participants | Low |
Immediate mobilization vs 2 weeks delayed mobilization (IMF) Restoration of function (return to baseline bite) · Adults with mandibular fractures excluding condyles (fixed with 2 mm titanium miniplates) Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Limited data: at the conclusion of the study all participants indicated that they had returned to their "baseline bite". | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluorescence camera (FC) vs Reference standard More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, FC, occlusal, permanent teeth Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Sensitivity 0.876 [0.826, 0.916] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
No dentinal caries removal (caries sealed under a preformed metal crown or restoration without removing dentinal caries) 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 0.20 [0.02, 1.72] | 1 study · 132 participants | Moderate |
2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates Segmental mobility · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement · 1 month Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | RR 3.84 [0.85, 17.4] | 1 study · 57 participants | 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, Rural community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.21 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Oral cancer mortality (disease-specific) · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 15-year follow-up, High-risk individuals (tobacco and/or alcohol users) Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.76 [0.60, 0.97] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy vs No HBO therapy Postimplantation complications · 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 5.0 [0.27, 94.34] | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
2 mm locking titanium plates vs 2 mm non-locking titanium plates Restoration of function (functional occlusion; bite force as surrogate) · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Functional occlusion was achieved in all participants in both intervention groups (Agarwal 2011); the measurement of this outcome was not clearly reported. Bite force was reported as a surrogate/proxy outcome. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Early loading vs Conventional 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 5.00 [0.63, 39.67] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) · 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 | MD 0.19 [0.07, 0.31] | 3 studies · 71 participants | Low |
Prophylactic systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin) vs No antibiotics or placebo Implant failure · Adults undergoing dental implant placement · 4 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.16, 0.67] | 6 studies · 1162 participants | Moderate |
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) - not pooled · Permanent and primary teeth, smooth surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial and more advanced caries lesions thresholds Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013) | Only two included studies assessed smooth surfaces (both used LF; one permanent, one primary); no meta-analysis was possible. Both reported specificity higher than sensitivity at both thresholds. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Capitation remuneration vs Fee-for-service remuneration Healthcare costs: mean expenditure in GBP per 0- to 15-year-old (currency year NR) · Children (0- to 15-year-olds) undergoing routine continuing dental care at 354 dental practices, in matched pairs of… · 1 year, Rural community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | MD 6.90 | 1 study · 276414 participants | Low |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in primary/deciduous teeth: decayed, (extraction indicated/missing) and filled surfaces d(e/m)fs (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 0.37 [0.24, 0.51] | 10 studies · 3804 participants | Moderate |
One microplate plus one miniplate vs Two miniplates Efficacy and stability of fixation (bite force) · Adults with isolated mandibular fractures in the interforaminal region Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Only one study (Gupta 2012) compared one microplate in conjunction with one miniplate versus two miniplates in isolated interforaminal fractures; however, the data reported in the trial did not satisfy the review's… | 1 study | 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, Commuter suburb community The effect of different methods of remuneration on the behaviour of primary care dentists (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.83 | 1 study · 2250 participants | Low |
Fixation (splinting) vs No splint, or a different type or duration of splint Outcome NR · Patients (mainly children and young adults) with a history of dental trauma and a diagnosis of luxation (intrusion,… · Minimum 12 months follow-up Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: luxated (dislodged) teeth (2013) · Cochrane | Types and duration of fixation: the effect of using no splint or different types of splints and their duration. Main results: No randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials were found; no study was included in… | 0 studies | No studies |
Ibuprofen (single postoperative oral dose; 200 mg to 512 mg) vs Paracetamol (acetaminophen) (single postoperative oral dose; 600 mg to 1000 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… | 7 studies | 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, High-risk individuals (tobacco and/or alcohol users) Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.79, 1.19] | 1 study | Ungraded |
2 mm locking titanium plates vs 2 mm non-locking titanium plates Post-operative infection · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | OR 0.90 [0.1, 7] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (clinical attachment loss) · 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 clinical attachment loss, a measure of progression of periodontitis. (See comment) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any intervention to manage relapse: fixed options (labial braces, lingual braces, fixed lingual wire) or removable options (Hawley's retainer with spring elastomeric module, Bloore removable aligner, other Hawley's retainer modifications, Invisalign, Clearstep) vs Another such intervention or no active treatment; all interventions compared against each other in any combination Assessment of the alignment of the lower front teeth using any method or index · Participants who previously underwent orthodontic treatment, with subsequent crowding (relapse) of the lower front… Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment (2013) · Cochrane | No RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. After deduplication, the electronic searching identified 527 publications; after reviewing the titles and abstracts, none focused on interventions to correct the… | 0 studies | No studies |
3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates Post-operative pain · Adults (16 to 68 years) with mandibular fractures excluding condylar involvement Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures (2013) · Cochrane | Singh 2012 evaluated VAS pain at weeks 1, 4, 8 and month 3 and reported no significant difference between the groups, without supporting details. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Prophylactic systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin) vs No antibiotics or placebo Adverse events · 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 1.0 [0.06, 15.85] | 6 studies · 1162 participants | Ungraded |
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) | Sensitivity 0.850 [0.702, 0.943] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Self etching primers (one-step etchant and primer system) vs Conventional etchants (two-step etch and prime method using 37% phosphoric acid) Decay (decalcification) associated with or around the etching field · Children and adults with fixed orthodontic brackets bonded to incisors, canines and premolars Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces (2013) · Cochrane | Decay (decalcification) associated with or around the etching field: Only one study (Ghiz 2009) assessed this outcome but data were reported at the tooth level rather than at the participant level and therefore was not… | 1 study · 25 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment) Time to eruption of the permanent canine · Children with palatally displaced maxillary canines (at least 80% aged 10 to 13 years); trials with craniofacial… · At least 6 months follow-up after the intervention Extraction of primary (baby) teeth for unerupted palatally displaced permanent canine teeth in children (2012) · Cochrane | Time to eruption of the permanent canine was reported by both trials. The paper reports there was 'no significant difference between the two interceptive approaches in the time required for canine eruption' (extraction… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment Pain reduction (VAS 0-10) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.64 [-1.91, 0.63] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD Mean change in health-related quality of life or participant-expressed satisfaction with the procedure · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary counselling (snacking timing, regular meals, fermentable carbohydrates) plus toothbrushing counselling, delivered by trained dental hygienists (a multi-intervention) vs Basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics Nibbling less than daily · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland · 2 to 4 years One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour (2012) · Cochrane | Table 2: 52% (130) versus 53% (131) at follow-up (baseline 41% versus 44%). No significant change. | 1 study · 497 participants | Ungraded |
Implant surface smoothening added to systemic antibiotics + resective surgery + local antibiotics vs No implant surface smoothening (same surgical protocol) Implant failure · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.3 [0.01, 6.47] | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD Adverse effects · Patients aged 14 to 78 years with mature permanent teeth (fully formed roots), single or multi-rooted, with pulpal or… Irrigants for non‐surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.61 [-0.79, 2.01] | 1 study · 11 participants | Ungraded |
A 10-minute film followed by the same 30-minute one-to-one hygienist instruction on sugar consumption and dental health, plus oral hygiene, fluoride and regular visits (a multi-intervention) vs No instruction Mean sugar consumption (self-reported, 1 to 5 scale; higher score = more positive behaviour) · Adults newly registered at a group dental practice in a suburban Dutch village, the Netherlands · 6 to 12 months One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3, mean (SD) sugar consumption (1-5 scale): film-plus-instruction group 3.53 (1.27) at baseline to 3.06 (1.12) at follow-up (significant versus baseline); control 2.89 (0.99) to 2.88 (1.27). Results judged… | 1 study | Ungraded |
HAART regimen + topical treatment vs HAART regimen alone Adverse effects of long‐term use of available topical agents · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |