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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/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 [0.06, 0.62] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Clinical assessment: nasal alar base augmentation (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 0.20 [-0.01, 0.41] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 2 years, single-surface primary posterior teeth, 2 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 93 [91, 94] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control 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 | SMD 1.11 [0.33, 1.89] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Arthrocentesis Pain (VAS) 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 0.10 [-1.46, 1.66] | 2 studies · 81 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(MF)S) · 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 -0.10 [-0.25, 0.05] | 5 studies · 2047 participants | Moderate |
Camomile 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 1.14 [0.43, 3.01] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.69 [0.37, 1.29] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 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 -0.20 [-0.36, -0.04] | 5 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system 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 | No difference between systems for overall xerostomia-related quality of life (15-item survey). Bioxtra rated better for taste; no difference for mouth 'feel'. Trial likely underpowered. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Crepitation (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 0.45 [0.08, 2.60] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Click (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 9.35 [0.85, 102.30] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (6-month follow-up) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Long term (6-month follow-up) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.79 [-3.83, -1.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (post-treatment) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Short term (post-treatment) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.40 [-3.40, -1.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Primary posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 31 [2, 77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge Salivary flow (saliva production) · 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 | Statistically significant increase in saliva production vs placebo (P <= 0.05); maximum salivary output 60 to 90 minutes post-lozenge; no data presented. | 1 study · 33 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 · 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) | Proportion 0.85 [0.79, 0.91] | 1 study | Ungraded |
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other) 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 | HCC gel rated better than margarine for convenience, perceived value, minutes of relief and overall rating; no other significant between-group differences. | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 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 0.82 [0.71, 0.94] | 2 studies · 160 participants | Low |
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) · 3 years, multiple-surface primary posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.31 [0.02, 0.77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants vs No comparator Caries-free sealed pits and fissures · Permanent teeth with sealed pits and fissures · 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) | Caries-free percentage 93 [91, 96] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel 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 | Patient satisfaction scores favoured the gel bolus over the intraoral device (Analysis 3.4). | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Povidone 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 0.02 [0, 0.31] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Acyclovir 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 1.33 [0.85, 2.08] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Placebo (spray base without CMC / water) 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 evenly split between CMC spray and spray base. | 1 study · 15 participants | 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 (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term (3 months or less), Combination CBT/biofeedback Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.46 [0.02, 0.90] | 2 studies · 90 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste) Caries increment on deciduous 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 0.13 [-0.07, 0.33] | 2 studies · 1051 participants | Moderate |
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone Postoperative complication: wound dehiscence · 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 | RR 0.36 [0.04, 3.03] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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 0.6 [0.23, 1.58] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Superoxide dismutase 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 1.17 [0.78, 1.75] | 1 study · 159 participants | Ungraded |
Histamine gel 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 0.95 [0.15, 6.08] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Salinum (linseed) mouthwash vs Salinum plus chlorhexidine mouthwash 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 | Johansson 2001 (crossover, n=33, Sjogren's syndrome): both products improved oral dryness and chewing/swallowing; Salinum alone reduced speaking problems and burning mouth. Paired data not accounted for; no usable… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel Salivary flow / oral health · 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 device and bolus in unstimulated whole saliva, oral microbial profile or generalised inflammation. | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Improvement in dry mouth (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 | Sweeney 1997 (parallel, n=31, terminal cancer): both sprays improved dry mouth symptoms but no statistically significant difference between mucin spray and placebo for improved dry mouth (Analysis 1.1; RR not… | 1 study · 31 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) · 6 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.72 [-1.09, -0.35] | 4 studies · 564 participants | Ungraded |
Camomile 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 0.63 [0.33, 1.22] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) 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 0.44 [0.2, 0.95] | 1 study · 147 participants | 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 severity - impact: activity interference / disability (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months), CBT alone Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.27 [-0.51, -0.03] | 4 studies · 285 participants | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Radiographic assessment: Panorex 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 |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system 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 | SMD 0.69 [0.08, 1.30] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.78 [0.4, 1.49] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 72 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.28 [0.16, 0.41] | 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 · 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) | Caries-free percentage 97 [96, 98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
OASIS moisturising mouthwash vs Experimental mouthwash formulation Xerostomia (dry mouth) · 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 | Shirodaria 2006 (crossover): OASIS reported to give a statistically significant improvement over subjects' normal remedies, but the report did not present the randomised OASIS-versus-experimental comparison; no data… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.83] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Head circumference (cm) · 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 -0.66 [-1.16, -0.17] | 2 studies · 130 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 · 3 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 3 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.85 [0.77, 0.91] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Postoperative complication: (partial) loss of bone graft · 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 0.12 [0.01, 1.89] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum / mucin chewing gum vs Placebo gum (and between each other) 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 | Aagaard 1992 (crossover, n=43): approximately 50% of participants had an increase in unstimulated whole saliva from all products; unclear how many completed the trial; no usable data. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 96 [94, 97] | 15 studies | Ungraded |