Gap finder

Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

10,375 questions in 429 reviews · Oral Health

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Dietary counselling tailored to a Stage of Change (Transtheoretical Model) to increase fruit and vegetable intake (two counselling sessions) vs Usual care
Vegetable consumption behaviour: proportion in the Action Stage of Change (versus Pre-Action) · Edentulous patients aged 45 to 80 years attending dental-student teaching clinics for replacement dentures, Newcastle… · 6 weeks after receiving replacement dentures (about 10 weeks after baseline)
One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour (2012) · Cochrane
At follow-up 75% (22) of the intervention group versus 21% (6) of the control were in the Action Stage of Change for vegetable consumption (P<0.001); baseline 23% (7) versus 25% (7). Significant difference between…1 study · 58 participantsUngraded
Air-abrasive / Vector system debridement vs Manual debridement (carbon fibre curettes)
Change in probing pocket depth · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
No statistically significant difference for PPD; data not usable.1 study · 11 participantsUngraded
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo
Decrease in pain · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
RR 4.29 [0.67, 27.24]1 studyUngraded
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT)
Partial response (remarkably effective or effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade I (erosive and ulcerative lesions)
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 0.18 [0.04, 0.82]1 study · 94 participantsUngraded
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.47 [-0.26, 1.20]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Dietary counselling tailored to a Stage of Change (Transtheoretical Model) to increase fruit and vegetable intake (two counselling sessions) vs Usual care
Fruit consumption (grams per day) · Edentulous patients aged 45 to 80 years attending dental-student teaching clinics for replacement dentures, Newcastle… · 6 weeks after receiving replacement dentures (about 10 weeks after baseline)
One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour (2012) · Cochrane
Mean (SD) g/day (Table 1): fruit - intervention 111 (80) at baseline rising to 254 (194) at follow-up; control 87 (82) to 106 (116). A significant change in the weight of fruit consumed was found in the intervention…1 study · 58 participantsUngraded
Non-surgical interventions vs Surgical interventions
Outcome NR · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
Non-surgical versus surgical interventions: no trials.0 studiesNo studies
Low-gold (Midas) or silver-palladium (Albacast) alloy FDP vs High-gold content control alloy (JS C) FDP
Visual marginal discrepancy (3 years) · Patients receiving single crowns and FDPs; split-mouth · 3 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.06, 12.73]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Daily multivitamin vs Placebo
Average mouth pain during RAS episodes · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.05 [-0.71, 0.61]1 studyUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Glucosamine sulfate (oral) vs Ibuprofen (oral)
Maximum voluntary jaw opening (mm), change from baseline · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria · 90 days
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
MD 3.08 [-0.97, 7.13]1 study · 45 participantsUngraded
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo
Decrease in frequency of attacks · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
RR 4.29 [0.72, 25.39]1 studyUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Cemented implant crown vs Screw-retained implant crown
Mechanical complications / prosthesis failure (4 years) · Patients with single-tooth implants receiving implant crowns; split-mouth · 4 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
No reports of any mechanical complications or failures with either type of prosthesis (narrative)1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
Fixed dental prosthesis (cantilever FDP) vs Removable dental prosthesis (RDP)
Incidence-free survival (caries, endodontic treatment, tooth loss) · Patients with a shortened dental arch (missing posterior teeth) · 3 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
HR 0.73 [0.06, 8.41]1 studyUngraded
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo
Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Patients receiving levamisole reported more adverse effects than those receiving placebo (mild stomach upset/nausea, diarrhoea, sleeplessness, dysgeusia/dysosmia), however no adverse effects were reported as requiring…8 studiesUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser (implant exposure) vs Flap elevation at implant exposure
Postoperative pain · Patients undergoing implant exposure (second-stage surgery)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
RR 0.25 [0.07, 0.90]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
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
Eating candy 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: 86% (215) intervention versus 83% (205) control at follow-up (baseline 74% versus 77%). No significant change.1 study · 497 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3%
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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Er:YAG laser debridement vs Manual debridement plus chlorhexidine irrigation/gel
Implant failure · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
No implant failures occurred in any of the groups (both trials).2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel)
Proportion of participants or samples with positive bacterial growth culture, up to 72 hours after 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
RR 0.73 [0.34, 1.56]2 studies · 62 participantsUngraded
Er:YAG laser surface debridement before bone augmentation vs Plastic curettes plus saline solution before bone augmentation
Change in probing attachment level (PAL gain) · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
Six months after treatment there were no statistically significant differences for PAL gain.1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash
Dermatology quality of life (OHQoL16) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
No statistical testing of the Oral Health Quality of Life index (OHQoL16) was reported in Hegarty 2002 (fluticasone mean score 0.7 versus betamethasone mean score -0.8).1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate vs Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids (betamethasone)
Complications (adverse effects) · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
RR 1.20 [0.44, 3.30]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Subepithelial connective tissue graft (palate) at implant placement vs No augmentation
Peri-implant marginal bone level change · Partially edentulous patients receiving posterior mandibular implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.17 [-0.10, 0.44]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain 72 hours to 14 days after 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Ceramic implant abutment vs Titanium implant abutment
Success rate · Patients receiving implant-supported single crowns / short-span FDPs
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
Andersson 2003: 94% (16/17) ceramic vs 100% (12/12) titanium; Andersson 2001: 93% (28/30) ceramic vs 100% (35/35) titanium; no statistical analysis provided; no measurable / non-significant differences in alveolar bone…2 studies · 107 participantsUngraded
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo
Time to resolution of first ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD -6.35 [-6.74, -5.96]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with EDTA 17% vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Rofecoxib (oral, 50 mg on first day then 25 to 50 mg per day for 4 days) vs Tinidazole (1 g per day for 3 days)
Total effective rate at 4 days · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 days
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
RR 1.17 [0.95, 1.43]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Alternative alloy FDP (e.g., Ceramalloy II / base-metal / palladium-silver) vs High-gold content control alloy FDP (Olympia)
Restoration survival (Ceramalloy II versus Olympia) · Patients receiving crowns and FDPs; split-mouth, 10-year · 10 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
OR 3.5 [1.4, 8.7]1 studyUngraded
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo
Quality of life · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months (minimum)
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Patients in the propolis group self-reported a significant improvement in their quality of life (P=0.03), based on volunteered statements of self-reported improvement.1 study · 19 participantsUngraded
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment)
Patient satisfaction and pain experience during extraction of the primary 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
Neither trial reported the outcome of pain, or patient satisfaction.0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
Change in periapical radiolucency (radiography or CBCT), up to 1 year after treatment · 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel
Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 3.16 [1.00, 9.93]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo
Overall effectiveness (episodes, lesions, duration, pain) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Eight trials (seven high, one unclear risk of bias) compared levamisole 150 mg/day with placebo (De Cree 1978; Drinnan 1978; Meyer 1977; Miller 1978; Olson 1978; Van de Heyning 1978; Weckx 2009; Zissis 1983).…8 studiesUngraded
Er:YAG laser debridement vs Manual debridement plus chlorhexidine irrigation/gel
Change in gingival recession (REC) · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
No statistically significant differences for change in recession.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo
Mean VAS pain per day · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 90 days
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD -5.00 [-11.93, 1.93]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Placebo
Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
Sulodexide was not associated with significant adverse events.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline
Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain 72 hours to 14 days after 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
RR 0.8 [0.27, 2.5]1 study · 178 participantsUngraded
Denzir all-ceramic FDP vs In-Ceram Zirconia all-ceramic FDP
Reconstruction failure / chip fractures (12 months) · Patients with all-ceramic implant FDP reconstructions; parallel group, 12-month · 12 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
None of the 25 reconstructions had failed; significantly more chip fractures in the Denzir group, but as none required repair this outcome was deemed not clinically significant (narrative)1 study · 18 participantsUngraded
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Physician Global Assessment (surface of erosive lesions) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.50 [-1.39, 0.39]1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution
Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD 45.17 [8.73, 81.61]1 study · 11 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 1% with chlorhexidine 2% final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1% with normal saline final rinse
Proportion of participants with new or worsening signs/symptoms of inflammation requiring a revisit, up to 14 days after 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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Placebo
Days to resolution of pain / epithelialization; number of aphthae per month · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and…
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
The trial by Femiano 2003 (high risk of bias) also compared sulodexide with placebo. Data were incompletely presented (ranges/totals only) precluding further analysis.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Rofecoxib (oral, 50 mg on first day then 25 to 50 mg per day for 4 days) vs Tinidazole (1 g per day for 3 days)
Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 days
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
No adverse effects reported in translation.1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo
Average duration of RAS episode (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD -2.86 [-5.39, -0.33]1 study · 58 participantsUngraded
Subepithelial connective tissue graft (palate) at implant placement vs No augmentation
Patient preference (aesthetics evaluated by patients) · Partially edentulous patients receiving posterior mandibular implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
OR 0 [0, 0.85]1 study · 10 participantsUngraded
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist)
Time to resolution of first ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD -2.40 [-2.76, -2.04]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded