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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent 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) | Survival percentage 82 [77, 86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Relaxation Pain intensity (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | MD -1.84 [-3.26, -0.42] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Number of participants discharged on the same day as surgery · 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 | RR 20 | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 5 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Caries-free percentage 90 [85, 94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Habit reversal vs Waiting list control Pain intensity (short term / post-treatment) · 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 -1.31 [-1.97, -0.65] | 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 · 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) | Caries-free percentage 100 [98, 100] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Iseganan 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 | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Xanthum gum-containing spray (Xialine) vs Placebo spray (base without xanthum) Xerostomia (EORTC dry mouth score) · 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 | Jellema 2001 (crossover, n=30, post-radiotherapy): no statistically significant difference between Xialine (xanthum gum) spray and placebo on the EORTC dry mouth score (Analysis 1.2). van der Reijden 1996: xanthum… | 2 studies · 30 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 · 6 years, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 6 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.59 [0.51, 0.67] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Bad breath (halitosis) · 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 reported. No included study measured halitosis; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Clinical evaluations 12 months after surgery (6 pooled clinical signs) · 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 1.0 [0.45, 2.21] | 2 studies · 240 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent 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) | Survival percentage 63 [56, 70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone Radiographic assessment: coronal bone density (Hounsfield units) · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | MD 150.89 [3.45, 298.33] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene 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 0.09 [0.01, 0.65] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil 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 | Statistically significant preference for linseed spray: of 17 with a preference, more favoured linseed (Chi2 4.77, df=1; P = 0.029); 3 expressed no preference. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
CMC spray / aloe vera gel / canola oil spray vs Mucin spray (and between each other) Xerostomia (mean xerostomia score) · 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 | Momm 2005 (crossover, n=123): all four treatments significantly reduced dryness vs baseline (mean xerostomia score, scale 1 to 6: baseline 4.5 +/- 0.11; post-treatment aloe vera 3.7 +/- 0.11, CMC 3.8 +/- 0.12, canola… | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Honey 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 0.26 [0.13, 0.52] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Oral health (overall mouth condition) · 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 | Mouly 2007b: overall mouth condition improved in both groups; no significant differences between the treatment groups. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Relaxation Depression (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.49 [-0.93, -0.04] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Antibiotic pastille or paste (PTA) 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 0.87 [0.78, 0.96] | 2 studies · 356 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth, questionable to severe) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 55 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | % of children with fluorotic teeth (questionable to severe), follow-up 55 months. Assumed risk 32/212 = 15%; corresponding risk 40/202 = 20% (APF once a day) and 43/197 = 22% (APF twice a day). Relative effect: Not… | 1 study · 611 participants | Very low |
Epidermal growth factor 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 0.67 [0.45, 0.99] | 1 study · 103 participants | Ungraded |
Chewing gum vs No chewing gum 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 0.87 [0.71, 1.07] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) Xerostomia (dry mouth relief) · 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 | Risheim 1993 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=18, rheumatic patients): both products gave good subjective relief of dry mouth in slightly less than one third of participants; crossover design not accounted for, no… | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Sealant retention · Permanent 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) | Survival percentage 68 [61, 75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Patient satisfaction · 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 | Mouly 2007b: patient satisfaction measured by VAS for global acceptability (Analysis 3.4); no significant difference between treatments for overall oral condition. Satisfaction for taste favoured OGT (mean VAS… | 1 study | 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) Depression (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 -0.35 [-0.54, -0.16] | 6 studies · 455 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 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) | Caries-free percentage 100 [99, 100] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs 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 | Poland 1987 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=20): CMC/sorbitol reported superior to lemon glycerin for reducing oral dryness; brief report, incomplete data, period effect noted; not usable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Calculus · 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 (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed calculus as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/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 0.84 [0.69, 1.04] | 1 study · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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, 1.29] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Relaxation Anxiety (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.42 [-0.86, 0.02] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline 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 1 [0.68, 1.47] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.88 [0.69, 1.12] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Quality of life and parental satisfaction (crying, feeding, sleeping, playing time; 24-hour parental log) · 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 | Quality of life and adverse events (crying, feeding, sleeping and playing time, 24-hour parental log; Shaw 1999): no statistically significant differences between bottle types. Parental satisfaction also reported. | 1 study · 101 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin-containing lozenge vs Placebo lozenge 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 | Gravenmade 1993 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=42, Sjogren's syndrome): no statistically significant difference between mucin lozenge and placebo for mouth dryness on a VAS (Analysis 1.2). | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; 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) | Proportion 0.41 [0.18, 0.67] | 1 study | 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 · 3 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.97 [0.96, 0.98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Indomethacin 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 1 [0.82, 1.23] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/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 0.62 [0.43, 0.91] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Quality of life · 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 (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.74 [0.57, 0.95] | 5 studies · 472 participants | Low |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Other preventive measures (xylitol lozenges) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS, approximal surfaces) · 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 0.00 [-0.59, 0.59] | 1 study · 115 participants | Low |
Arthroscopy vs Nonsurgical treatment Pain after 6 months · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 6 months Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.004 [-0.46, 0.55] | 2 studies · 62 participants | 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 · 5 years, permanent dentitions with high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.90 [0.85, 0.94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo 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 | Patient preference for active sprays vs placebo nearly attained significance (Chi2 7.259, df=3; P = 0.064); 15/43 participants expressed no desire to continue any spray after the trial. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Pain (VAS/SSI) 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 | SMD 0.45 [0.01, 0.89] | 3 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Physostigmine gel (1.8 mg) vs Placebo gel 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 | Approximately fivefold increase in saliva secretion; mean AUC salivary volume 43.4 +/- 9.4 (physostigmine) vs 8.3 +/- 6.6 (placebo), P < 0.001. Adverse effects: 8 mild gastrointestinal upsets, 1 sweating. | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 0.71 [0.47, 1.07] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |