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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.

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
Flapless implant placement vs Conventional flap elevation
Peri-implant marginal bone level change · Patients receiving dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.05 [-0.25, 0.15]1 study · 78 participantsUngraded
Er:YAG laser surface debridement before bone augmentation vs Plastic curettes plus saline solution before bone augmentation
Complications and side effects · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
All patients experienced flap exposure during healing, not associated with infective complications; one patient had a slight pigmentation of the peri-implant soft tissues.1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate vs Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids (betamethasone)
Pain on palpation of the affected/contralateral TMJ and masticatory muscles · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria · 14 days to 6 months
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
Pain on palpation of the affected and contralateral TMJ and masticatory muscles presented similar frequencies regardless of the time (Analyses 1.4-1.12); no statistically significant differences reported. Point…1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) vs Sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO)
Stability of correction: vertical changes of pogonion (1 week to 1 year) · Adults (16 years of age or older) with an Angle Class III malocclusion (prominent lower front teeth); people with… · 1 week to 1 year post-surgery
Treatments for adults with prominent lower front teeth (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.41 [-0.15, 0.97]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Cemented implant crown vs Screw-retained implant crown
Alveolar bone level · Patients with single-tooth implants receiving implant crowns; split-mouth · 4 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
Alveolar bone levels showed no significant differences between groups; insufficient information to estimate SDs (narrative)1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Relapse rate when medications stopped · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
In Passeron 2007 (n=12), all participants who improved during treatment relapsed within 1 month of ceasing treatment.1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
Xenogeneic collagen matrix (porcine; Mucograft) vs Connective tissue autograft (palate)
Keratinised mucosa height change · Patients with implant-supported prostheses and <=1 mm keratinised mucosa
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.15 [-0.72, 1.02]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day) vs Placebo
Complete remission (no further aphthous episodes to 6 months) · 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
One trial at high risk of bias compared clofazimine (n=23) with placebo (n=20). The number of individuals in the clofazimine group who had no further aphthous episodes from beginning treatment until completion at 6…1 study · 43 participantsUngraded
Metronidazole gel 25% (local antibiotic) vs Ultrasonic debridement
Recurrence of peri-implantitis · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 12 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 · 27 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
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
RR 1.5 [0.4, 5.0]1 study · 166 participantsUngraded
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT)
Physician Global Assessment (cure of erosive lesions, remarkably effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade II (erosive lesions only)
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 0.73 [0.42, 1.28]1 study · 94 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
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
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) 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 studiesNo studies
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo
Number of days of pain (monthly average) · 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 -3.80 [-9.39, 1.79]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Beclometasone dipropionate (systemic corticosteroid) vs Placebo or no treatment
Outcome NR · 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
Table 1: 'Studies of these corticosteroids were not found or included in the review but are included here for completeness.' No trial of beclometasone dipropionate for RAS was identified.0 studiesNo studies
Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate vs Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids (betamethasone)
Extent of mandibular movement (maximum jaw opening, lateral and contralateral movement, jaw protrusion) · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria · 14 days to 6 months
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
None of the mean differences between interventions for the measures of jaw movements (maximum jaw opening, lateral movement to affected side, contralateral movement, jaw protrusion; Analyses 1.16-1.27) showed…1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Normal saline
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
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo
'No ulcer' status during last 2 months of treatment · 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
RR 3.27 [1.23, 8.66]1 study · 58 participantsUngraded
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo
Number of ulcers at end of 90-day treatment · 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 -0.5 [-1.10, 0.10]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Colchicine (0.5 mg three times per day) vs Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day)
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
Clofazimine was associated with an increase in cutaneous adverse effects (Fisher's exact test P=0.015), easily controlled; there was a greater percentage of treatment interruptions in the colchicine group due to…1 study · 46 participantsUngraded
Perilla cooking oil vs Soybean cooking oil
Average number of days for resolution of ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 8 months
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.80 [-1.83, 3.43]1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Metronidazole gel 25% (local antibiotic) vs Ultrasonic debridement
Complications and side effects · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 12 weeks
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
No implant failures, complications or recurrence of peri-implantitis occurred in any of the groups.1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
Pain relief · 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 studiesNo studies
Er:YAG laser surface debridement before bone augmentation vs Plastic curettes plus saline solution before bone augmentation
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
Six months after treatment there were no implant failures.1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) 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 -3.95 [-4.38, -3.52]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Titanium RDP framework vs Chromium-cobalt RDP framework
Framework fracture (2 years) · Partially edentulous patients treated with an RDP framework · 2 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
RR 3.32 [1.19, 9.23]1 study · 38 participantsUngraded
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) 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 studiesNo studies
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
Reduction in number of flares · 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
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Clobetasol propionate ointment 0.05% vs 5% topical mesalazine gel in adhesive base
Pain reduction (VAS 0-10) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.83 [-4.12, 2.46]1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel)
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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo
Mean size of ulcers · 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 [-0.56, 0.04]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse
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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5% with proteolytic enzyme
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
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids vs Another topical agent or placebo
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 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3%
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 extracted0 studiesNo 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
Eating healthy snacks at least twice per day · 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: 71% (178) versus 68% (168) at follow-up (baseline 69% versus 65%). No significant change.1 study · 497 participantsUngraded
Crestal incision vs Vestibular incision
Prosthesis failure · Patients receiving dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
RR 3.0 [0.15, 59.89]1 study · 10 participantsUngraded
Titanium framework FDP vs High-gold content alloy framework FDP
Unacceptable restoration (poor marginal integrity / restoration removal) · Partially edentulous patients receiving tooth-supported FDPs
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane
RR 10.23 [1.41, 74.44]1 study · 47 participantsUngraded
Adjunctive local antibiotic (8.5% doxycycline hyclate, Atridox) added to manual debridement vs Manual debridement with chlorhexidine (no antibiotic)
Implant failure · 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 implant failures occurred in any of the groups.1 study · 28 participantsUngraded
Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (Ostim) vs Bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss) plus resorbable barrier
Change in probing attachment level (PAL) · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 4 years
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
MD -1.4 [-2.56, -0.24]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Xenogeneic collagen matrix (porcine; Mucograft) vs Connective tissue autograft (palate)
Recession (aesthetics) · Patients with implant-supported prostheses and <=1 mm keratinised mucosa
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.10 [-1.19, 0.99]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3%
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 extracted0 studiesNo studies
Reassurance / behavioral management (control of contributory factors)
Outcome NR · Adults (>18 years) with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) diagnosed by RDC/TMD or compatible criteria
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (2012) · Cochrane
The review noted the noticeable absence of evidence for reassurance among interventions for TMJ OA; no eligible RCT evaluated it (Discussion).0 studiesNo studies
Topical corticosteroids 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 studiesNo studies
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1%
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
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Physician Global Assessment (weighted sums of ulceration, erythema, reticulation, mm2) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -56.57 [-134.02, 20.88]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Air-abrasive / Vector system debridement vs Manual debridement (carbon fibre curettes)
Complications and side effects · 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 complications occurred in any of the groups.1 study · 11 participantsUngraded
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel
Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
Table 3 (Side-effects). Conrotto 2006: ciclosporin - skin rashes (2), parotid swelling (1), and dyspepsia (3); clobetasol - dyspepsia (1).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Metronidazole gel 25% (local antibiotic) vs Ultrasonic debridement
Implant failure · People with at least one dental implant affected by peri-implantitis · 12 weeks
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri‐implantitis (2012) · Cochrane
No implant failures occurred in any of the groups.1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (Ostim) vs Bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss) plus resorbable barrier
Complications and side effects · 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 complication occurred in any of the groups.1 study · 22 participantsUngraded