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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding Duration of hospital stay (days) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | Duration of hospital stay (days): no statistically significant difference between the two groups (Darzi 1996); no pooled estimate displayed (totals not selected). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Energy and protein intake · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 3 to 6 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | Mean energy and protein intakes (Brine 1994): statistically significant difference for protein intake at 3 and 6 months in favour of the squeezable bottle (P < 0.05); possibly confounded by four infants receiving a… | 1 study · 37 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Gingivitis (Gingival Index, 0-3 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 3 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.41 [-0.68, -0.14] | 6 studies · 656 participants | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs Oral health (dentition and gingival scores) · 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 | CMC/sorbitol also improved dentition and gingival scores; no supporting data presented. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene 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 0.82 [0.63, 1.06] | 1 study · 31 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 · 2 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.82 [0.77, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on deciduous tooth surfaces (dmfs) · 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 0.73 [0.46, 0.99] | 1 study · 115 participants | Very low |
Shenqi-fanghou vs No treatment 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 0.2 [0.11, 0.36] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF vs 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 0.74 [0.62, 0.89] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 2 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 62 [51, 73] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Histamine gel 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 1.35 [0.91, 1.99] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
CMC spray / aloe vera gel / canola oil spray vs Mucin spray (and between each other) 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 | No significant difference in patient preference between the treatments (Chi2 3.67, df=3; P = 0.30). | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Tenderness on palpation in jaw muscles (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane | Peto OR 2.00 [0.20, 19.98] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo/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 0.76 [0.47, 1.24] | 4 studies · 454 participants | Low |
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate Weight (kg) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 12 months (351 to 379 days) Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-0.53, 0.73] | 2 studies · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Shenqi-fanghou vs No treatment 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 0.51 [0.38, 0.68] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine 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 0.57 [0.2, 1.66] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera vs 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 0.74 [0.58, 0.96] | 2 studies · 119 participants | Ungraded |
Reservoir biteguard device releasing a saliva substitute (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) vs Biteguard without reservoir (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) Xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory) · 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 | SMD -0.06 [-0.48, 0.37] | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening) 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 0.7 [0.48, 1.01] | 1 study · 177 participants | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle 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 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD -0.15 [-0.53, 0.22] | 2 studies · 130 participants | Ungraded |
Mucoadhesive disk (carbomer/triglycerides + antimicrobial agents) vs Placebo disk Xerostomia (oral dryness/moistness) · 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 | Kerr 2010 (crossover, high risk of bias): no difference in oral dryness between active and placebo disks; increase in subjective oral moistness with both, persisting up to 2 weeks after last use (likely carryover);… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural (group psychotherapy) therapy vs Placebo pill Improvement in burning mouth symptoms · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Not specified Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.77 [0.98, 3.21] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 86 [59, 98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Secondary alveolar bone grafting with a given sequence of orthodontic treatment (e.g. orthodontics before grafting) vs Secondary alveolar bone grafting with a different sequence of orthodontic treatment (e.g. orthodontics after 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 | No RCTs were found to study ... the sequence of orthodontic treatment with secondary bone grafting surgery. | 0 studies | No studies |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 6 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 72 [67, 76] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray Xerostomia (mouth dryness, VAS/scale) · 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 | SMD -0.11 [-0.33, 0.11] | 2 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 · 4 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.93 [0.91, 0.96] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Reliability of feeding method (number of times bottle modified) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · up to 12 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | Number of times a bottle had to be modified by the health visitor: 25/52 (48%) for rigid bottles versus 4/49 (8%) for squeezable bottles (Shaw 1999), P < 0.05 (favours squeezable). Six babies randomised to the rigid… | 1 study · 101 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) · 1 year, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.71 [0.60, 0.80] | 8 studies | 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 · 3 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.72 [0.72, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water) Xerostomia (dry mouth symptoms) · 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 | Persson 2007 (crossover, n=14, institutionalised elderly): no dry mouth symptom data after treatment were presented. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) 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 | More participants preferred the intraoral device (66%) compared with usual care; data not suitable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) 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 0.05 [-0.04, 0.14] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray 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 [-0.01, 0.04] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; 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) | Proportion 0.93 [0.89, 0.95] | 13 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 71 [60, 80] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 3 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 66 [13, 99] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Dental stent vs No treatment 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 0.84 [0.62, 1.15] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Xerostomia (VAS mouth 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 | Duxbury 1989 (crossover): statistically significant improvement in dry mouth on a VAS favouring the mucin spray group (Analysis 1.2; SMD not numerically reported). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding Adverse events (wound dehiscence; lip scar hypertrophy) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | Adverse events: one wound dehiscence and one hypertrophy of the lip scar, both in spoon-fed infants (Darzi 1996). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) vs No treatment 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 0.53 [0.31, 0.91] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 1.03 [0.76, 1.41] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Length of hospital stay (days) · 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 -1.40 [-1.92, -0.88] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 2 lists fluorosis (% of children with fluorotic teeth) as 'See comment / Not estimable / Not estimated'; no included study reported fluorosis for the fluoride supplements versus topical fluoride… | NR | No studies |
Physostigmine gel (1.8 mg) vs Placebo gel Xerostomia (VAS mouth dryness, AUC over 180 min) · 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 | Khosravani 2009 (crossover, low risk of bias, n=17): reduction in oral dryness (VAS area-under-curve over first 180 minutes) after 1.8 mg physostigmine gel; reported graphically, not usable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 96 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.21 [0.04, 0.38] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 6 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.72 [0.67, 0.76] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control Quality of life (xerostomia-related) · 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 | Ship 2007 reported xerostomia-related quality of life; no usable comparative data. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Benzydamine 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 0.55 [0.38, 0.82] | 1 study · 81 participants | Ungraded |