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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% to 5.25% vs Chlorhexidine, 0.2% to 2% (solution or gel) 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 |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No evidence of drug side effects was observed. | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin component) vs LongoVital (herbal component alone) 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 (Kolseth 2005). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Glucosamine sulfate (oral) vs Ibuprofen (oral) Pain during function (proportion without significant improvement) · 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 | Six participants in the glucosamine group did not experience significant improvement in TMJ pain compared with seven in the ibuprofen group (Analysis 3.1); Fisher's exact test P = 0.73 (not significant, per the authors). | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Titanium (Procera) abutment vs Gold-alloy (machined UCLA) abutment Success / prosthetic complications (4 years) · Patients with single-tooth implant crowns; split-mouth, 4-year · 4 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane | 100% success, no prosthetic complications, and a similar loss of marginal bone (0.4 mm) in both groups (narrative) | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with normal saline final rinse 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 | Vital bacterial counts decreased after the active intervention (MTAD) but live bacteria were present in all of the samples; no further usable data reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 5% (also 2.5%) vs Sodium hypochlorite 1% 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 |
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Carbone 2009: no side-effects. | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic phase Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -18.30 [-28.57, -8.03] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) 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 | The study reported more drug-related adverse effects for those treated with prednisone than montelukast. | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) vs Placebo Pain (visual analogue scale) · 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 -1.15 [-1.46, -0.84] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
RDP with I-bar clasps / mesial rests vs RDP with circumferential clasps / distal rests Treatment success (5-year) · Partially edentulous patients treated with a removable dental prosthesis (RDP) · 5 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition (2012) · Cochrane | HR 0.58 [0.25, 1.34] | 1 study · 134 participants | Ungraded |
Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% with MTAD final rinse vs Sodium hypochlorite 1.3% 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 |
Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% vs Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% with hydrogen peroxide 3% 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 1.22 [0.4, 4.2] | 1 study · 167 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) 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 | Reported adverse events were minor and evenly distributed between the groups (Kolseth 2005). 'Very few and mostly harmless side-effects' were observed (Bratel 2005). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Placebo (spray base without CMC / water) Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Donatsky 1982 (crossover, n=15, Sjogren's syndrome): CMC spray had a similar effect on oral dryness to the spray base, but was more effective than water. Paired crossover data not presented; effect size not estimable. | 1 study · 15 participants | Ungraded |
Camomile vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.62, 1.27] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Clinical assessment: alveolar ridge healing (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.90 [0.64, 1.16] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Indigo wood root vs Saline (placebo) Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.5, 1.1] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 4 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.68 [0.61, 0.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 6 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 85 [79, 91] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.98 [0.88, 1.1] | 3 studies · 222 participants | Moderate |
Secondary alveolar bone grafting performed at one timing (e.g. early secondary grafting) vs Secondary alveolar bone grafting performed at a different / optimal timing (e.g. late secondary grafting) Outcome NR · Patients greater than 5 years of age with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and/or palate involving the alveolar… Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | Furthermore, no RCTs were found to study the optimal timing ... with secondary bone grafting surgery. This systematic review has not been able to report all the objectives described in the protocol. | 0 studies | No studies |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 2 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 93 [89, 95] | 13 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (Turesky-modified Quigley-Hein/other plaque indices; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 1 month (mean 29 days) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.23 [-0.52, 0.06] | 5 studies · 416 participants | Very low |
Intestinal trefoil factor vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.52 [0.06, 36.39] | 1 study · 99 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 2 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 41 [18, 67] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Reservoir biteguard device releasing a saliva substitute (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) vs Biteguard without reservoir (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) Oral health (oral impacts on daily performances) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | More in the reservoir group experienced relief of an oral impact and fewer a new impact (OIDP), but no difference in the total impact score between groups. | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding Weight (kg) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 6 weeks post-surgery Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.47 [0.20, 0.74] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc sulphate vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.05 [0, 0.75] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Maternal advice and support (feeding techniques/breastfeeding positions) vs Usual care (no additional advice/support) Outcome NR · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | No trials were identified that examined the effect of additional maternal support or advice during breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding); no studies evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention (plain-language summary… | 0 studies | No studies |
Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray (MouthKote) Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Stewart 1998: no statistically significant difference in patient preference between lozenge and spray (Analysis 2.3). | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Patients ranked gum and lozenge equal for preference. | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities (children) · 2 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.62 [0.51, 0.73] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Glutamine vs Placebo/usual care Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.78 [0.57, 1.08] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Radiographic assessment: periapical film (0 to 3 grading scale) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… · 1 year Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.60 [0.30, 0.90] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.43 [0.22, 0.84] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) Salivary flow (stimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | No change in stimulated whole saliva. | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray Oral health (plaque and gingival indices) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Mean plaque and gingival indices were reduced during the Salinum (linseed) period; incomplete comparative data. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24-36 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.16, 0.33] | 3 studies · 1240 participants | Moderate |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 4 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 86 [78, 93] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 95 [91, 98] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash vs Glycerin mouthwash Improvement in dry mouth ('excellent benefit', dichotomous) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | RR 3.95 [1.17, 13.36] | 1 study · 148 participants | Ungraded |
Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray (MouthKote) Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | MD -0.01 [-0.03, 0.02] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products Salivary flow (stimulated whole saliva) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | No product had a long-term effect on stimulated whole saliva production. | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.48, 0.92] | 7 studies · 428 participants | Moderate |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.71, 1.17] | 5 studies · 234 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Harms and adverse effects · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (5 studies). Adverse effects were assessed in five studies, but they used different outcome measures, so meta-analysis was not appropriate. The main harm identified was soft-tissue trauma to the gingival… | 5 studies | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 1 year, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 1.00 [0.99, 1.00] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent teeth · 1 year, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 75 [51, 91] | 3 studies | Ungraded |