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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine plus cervical pull headgear vs Untreated control (no treatment) Prevalence of eruption/non-eruption of the palatally displaced permanent canine (successful eruption) · 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 | Narrative (not pooled, not GRADE-rated). Leonardi 2004: successful eruption 80% with extraction plus cervical pull headgear, significantly higher than the untreated control group (Chi2 14.9; P<0.01). Baccetti 2008: the… | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | In the Hegarty 2002 cross-over trial (n=22), no statistical testing of the pain score (VAS 0 to 100) was reported; it is not clear whether the difference is statistically significant (fluticasone mean score 19.8 versus… | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine 0.2% vs Normal saline 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Complete ulcer healing by end of study (day 6) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 2.00 [1.39, 2.89] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Dietary counselling tailored to a Stage of Change (Transtheoretical Model) to increase fruit and vegetable intake (two counselling sessions) vs Usual care Vegetable 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): vegetables - intervention 157 (73) to 224 (109); control 168 (83) to 175 (91). No significant between-group change in vegetable consumption. | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (Ostim) vs Bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss) plus resorbable barrier 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 failure occurred in any of the groups. | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin component) vs LongoVital (herbal component alone) Number of ulcer-free days and number of new ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A single trial at high risk of bias (Kolseth 2005) randomised participants to the herbal component of LongoVital alone or LongoVital with herbal plus vitamin component. Data presented as medians with 95% CIs,… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin supplement) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Reported adverse events were minor and evenly distributed between the groups. | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Daily multivitamin vs Placebo Mean number of new lesions · 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 -0.41 [-1.85, 1.03] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Tooth/implant FDP with rigid connectors vs Tooth/implant FDP with non-rigid connectors Prosthesis survival and crestal bone loss (5 years) · Patients with tooth/implant-supported FDPs; split-mouth · 5 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane | No significant differences between the two types of connectors with regard to prosthesis survival or crestal bone loss at 5 years (narrative) | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
HAART regimen + topical treatment vs HAART regimen alone Healing of ulceration · 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 |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Colchicine (0.5 mg per day for 3 months) vs Prednisolone (5 mg per day for 3 months) Pain at completion of treatment · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 3 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.16 [-1.18, 0.86] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Fixed dental prosthesis (cantilever FDP) vs Removable dental prosthesis (RDP) Prosthesis survival · Patients with a shortened dental arch (missing posterior teeth) Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane | HR 0.59 [0.27, 1.29] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment) Incidence or prevalence of root resorption of the impacted canine and/or incisors and cyst formation · 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 | Root resorption of the impacted canine and/or incisors and cyst formation was not reported by either included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluocinonide in adhesive base vs Placebo Physician Global Assessment (clinical signs, complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 4.67 [0.24, 88.96] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Total number of new lesions over 2-month treatment period · 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 -4.20 [-4.84, -3.56] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy vs Topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% paste Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Malhotra 2008: betamethasone oral mini-pulse - transient oedema over the face (7), oedema over hands and feet (4), epigastric discomfort (7), weakness/fatigue (5), loose stools (1), headache… | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic phase Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Campisi 2004: oral candidiasis (1 in the lipid-loaded microspheres group, 2 in the conventional ointment group). None serious. | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Er:YAG laser vs Air-abrasive device (Perio-Flow) Recurrence of peri-implantitis · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane | After 6 months no statistically significant difference for peri-implantitis recurrence; 11% of implants (five air-abrasive, six laser) had pus on probing. | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO) with osteosynthesis vs Vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO) without osteosynthesis Changes in condyle position: fossa-condyle relations for posterior (1 year post-operative) · Adults (16 years of age or older) with an Angle Class III malocclusion (prominent lower front teeth); people with… · 1 year post-surgery Treatments for adults with prominent lower front teeth (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.10 [-0.64, 0.44] | 1 study · 53 participants | Ungraded |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Pain intensity and lesion diameter · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · up to 14 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | The authors report lower pain and smaller lesions in the camel thorn group up to 10 days after referral; a statistically significant difference in pain intensity was also reported. | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Radfar 2008: burning sensation with topical tacrolimus; transient burning within the first 2 weeks resulted in withdrawal of therapy in 1 participant. | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Flapless implant placement vs Conventional flap elevation Postoperative pain · Patients receiving dental implants Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane | MD -1.1 [-2.02, -0.18] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Days to resolution of pain and epithelialization of aphthae; number of aphthae per month · 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 | Femiano 2003 (high risk of bias) reports days to resolution of pain and days to epithelialization of aphthae at 1 month, and number of aphthae per month after the first and second months; data presented as… | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Beta-glucan (1.3/1.6 beta-glucan 10 mg twice daily for 20 days) vs Placebo Ulcer severity score (USS) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 20 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -4.38 [-6.17, -2.59] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Time to complete resolution of ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · up to 14 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A single trial (Pourahmad 2010, unclear risk of bias) randomised 93 participants to camel thorn distillate (n=49) or placebo (n=44). Mean time to complete resolution was 4.02 days (range 3 to 7) for camel thorn… | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Adjunctive local antibiotic (8.5% doxycycline hyclate, Atridox) added to manual debridement vs Manual debridement with chlorhexidine (no antibiotic) Change in probing attachment level (PAL) · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 4 months (18 weeks) Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.61 [0.40, 0.82] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Topical thalidomide vs Another topical agent or placebo Incidence and recurrence after healing of ulcers · 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 |
Extraction of the primary maxillary canine vs Untreated control (no treatment) Improvement in the vertical position or angulation of the ectopic canine, measured from radiographs (inclination to midline, cusp-tip to occlusal line, medial crown position) · 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 | Changes in the position of the displaced canine measured from radiographs, reported by both trials as medians (non-normal distribution): changes in the inclination of the canine to the midline, the distance of the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | Femiano 2003: one significant adverse event (gastritis) for the prednisone group versus none for placebo. Femiano 2010: more drug-related adverse effects for those treated with prednisone than placebo. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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 Dental caries increment: DMFS increment after 4 years · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland · 4 years One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour (2012) · Cochrane | Mean (95% CI) DMFS increment after 4 years: intervention 2.56 (2.07 to 3.05) versus control 4.60 (3.99 to 5.21); significant difference favouring the intervention (P<0.0001; non-overlapping CIs). No between-group point… | 1 study · 497 participants | Ungraded |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Reduction in target/mean lesion size · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | No statistical testing of the mean surface area of lesions was reported in Hegarty 2002 (fluticasone mean score 547.2 mm2 versus betamethasone mean score 671.9 mm2). | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Adjunctive local antibiotic (8.5% doxycycline hyclate, Atridox) added to manual debridement vs Manual debridement with chlorhexidine (no antibiotic) Recurrence of peri-implantitis · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 4 months (18 weeks) Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane | No recurrence of peri-implantitis occurred in any of the groups. | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Any topical or systemic intervention (topical/systemic steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, retinoids, anti-malarials, biologics, phototherapy, surgery) vs Placebo, no treatment, another active intervention, or a different dose of the same intervention Restoration of sexual activity · People of any age with erosive lichen planus affecting the oral, anogenital, and/or oesophageal regions Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; thus, this outcome was not reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Er:YAG laser vs Air-abrasive device (Perio-Flow) 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 | After 6 months no statistically significant difference between Er:YAG laser and air-abrasive device for PPD. | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel) Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain up to 6 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Sodium hypochlorite 1% with chlorhexidine 2% final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1% with normal saline final rinse 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 extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No adverse events were associated with receiving vitamin B12 or placebo in this study. | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo Healing of ulceration · 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 |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Complete clinical response (complete clearance) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 3.50 [0.95, 12.90] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo General degree of discomfort · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 to 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-0.37, 0.97] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline Proportion of participants with moderate to severe pain up to 6 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 | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Prednisone (oral) 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 without significant adverse events; one significant adverse event (gastritis) was reported for the prednisone group. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Partial response (partial or complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.46 [1.04, 2.04] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Er:YAG laser vs Air-abrasive device (Perio-Flow) 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 | After 6 months there were no drop-outs, implant failures or complications. | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | Propolis was associated with low rates of minimal side effects. | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Mean pain score and mean ulcer size · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A statistically significant difference was reported in mean pain score and mean ulcer size favouring the homeopathic group (P<0.05). Summary data not presented, precluding further analysis. | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No differences in adverse events were reported. | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | No participant needed to discontinue treatment due to adverse events. | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |