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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine 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 0.65 [0.41, 1.02] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Systemic antibiotic (clarithromycin) 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 0.69 [0.48, 1.01] | 1 study · 70 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/usual care 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 0.91 [0.82, 1.02] | 1 study · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.93 [0.91, 0.94] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel 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 -1.01 [-1.44, -0.58] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Maximum protrusion over 5 mm (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 0.12 [0.01, 2.09] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Hydrolytic enzymes 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 | no estimate extracted | 3 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 5 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 80 [76, 83] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Shenqi-fanghou vs 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 0.9 [0.8, 1] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Propantheline 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 0.4 [0.12, 1.31] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Interincisal opening over 35 mm (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 1.31 [0.31, 5.60] | 2 studies · 40 participants | 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 · 4 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 4 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.86 [0.78, 0.93] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control 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 0.02 [-0.02, 0.06] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care 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 [0.54, 1.04] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding Cost of hospitalisation · 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 | Average total cost of hospitalisation: 98 Indian rupees (breastfeeding) versus 156 Indian rupees (spoon-feeding) (Darzi 1996). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum vs PTC chewing gum (xylitol/sorbitol/mannitol) Salivary flow (saliva secretion) · 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 | Olsson 1991 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=14): both gums increased saliva secretion, peaking 17.5 minutes after chewing started; significant treatment-by-period interaction; no per-group data presented. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs Placebo/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 0.68 [0.45, 1.03] | 9 studies · 845 participants | Very low |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.36 [0.17, 0.77] | 5 studies · 472 participants | Low |
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… · Single dose (up to 3 hours) Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Taweechaisupapong 2006 (crossover): participants reported a statistically significant improvement in oral dryness after both 3 mg and 5 mg pilocarpine lozenges vs placebo (P <= 0.05); no usable data presented. No… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Oral health assessment · 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 | Blixt-Johansen 1992 (parallel, elderly long-term care, poor oral mucosa): oral mucosa improved in both groups but a much greater reduction in oral pathology in the mucin spray group; no data presented. | 1 study | Ungraded |
GM-CSF 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 | no estimate extracted | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Indigo wood root vs Saline (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 0.14 [0.02, 0.93] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine (intravenous) 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 0.25 [0.1, 0.62] | 3 studies · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening) 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 | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo/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 0.82 [0.54, 1.23] | 4 studies · 244 participants | Low |
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 · 2 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 1.00 [0.98, 1.00] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities (children) · 3 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.66 [0.13, 0.99] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Pain intensity (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.34 [-0.50, -0.18] | 7 studies · 658 participants | Ungraded |
Habit reversal vs Waiting list control Life interference · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term (post-treatment) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.86 [-1.79, 0.06] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo spray 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 | van der Reijden 1996 (crossover, Sjogren's syndrome): carbopol spray found partially effective; none of the sprays were completely effective; no data suitable for inclusion. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Honey 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 0.48 [0.31, 0.74] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) Xerostomia (mouth dryness, median) · 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 | Frost 2002 (crossover, n=30, Sjogren's syndrome): overall mouth dryness favoured the device but only nearly significant (median 4 (IQR 2 to 4) device vs 3 (2 to 4) control; P = 0.056). Speech (P = 0.003) and swallowing… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Duration of relief of 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: no difference between mucin spray and placebo in the duration of relief of dryness (Analysis 1.4). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Radiographic assessment: three-dimensional CT scan (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 0.90 [0.41, 1.39] | 1 study · 21 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 · 5 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.63 [0.56, 0.70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment in permanent teeth (D(M)FT) · 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 0.29 [0.19, 0.39] | 3 studies · 1208 participants | Moderate |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Plaque and gingivitis scores · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 24 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | One study (Holm 1975): no difference between groups (fluoride supplements versus fluoride rinses) for mean plaque and gingivitis scores after 2 years. No summary estimate reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray 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 | Bots 2005: statistically significant preference for chewing gum over Xialine spray, 39/49 (80%) preferred gum vs 10/49 (20%) spray (Chi2 17.16, df=1; P < 0.001) (Analysis 2.3). Davies 2000: more people preferred gum,… | 1 study · 65 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Arthrocentesis Maximum interincisal opening (mm) after 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 | MD 5.28 [3.46, 7.10] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 0.64 [0.17, 2.45] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 3 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 85 [77, 91] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water) Oral health (oral pH, cariogenic bacteria, Candida) · 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 difference between buffered gel, unbuffered gel and water for oral pH, cariogenic bacteria or Candida species. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
GM-CSF vs Sucralfate 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 0.54 [0.24, 1.21] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Betaine (BET) toothpaste (4%) vs SLS toothpaste (1%) and combined BET+SLS toothpaste Xerostomia (relief of 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 | Rantanen 2003 (crossover): relief of oral dryness BET 44% vs BET+SLS 22% (P = 0.002) vs SLS 18% (P = 0.022) vs reference toothpaste 7% (P < 0.001); betaine-only significantly better than the other toothpastes. No… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate Length (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 2 to 6 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD -1.05 [-2.20, 0.11] | 2 studies · 74 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Povidone 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 0.29 [0.16, 0.54] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Honey vs 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 0.7 [0.56, 0.88] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Muscle palpation pain (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | Muscle palpation pain long term (greater than 3 months): 3 studies; results not pooled owing to substantial heterogeneity (I2=64%); insufficient evidence to draw conclusions for any individual intervention. One study… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent 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) | Survival percentage 72 [72, 86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Beta carotene 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 0.38 [0.14, 1.02] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |