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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Neutron radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.69, 1.36] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years, All included studies Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.86 [0.76, 0.98] | 13 studies · 3751 participants | Very low |
Powered toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 weeks Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | At 6 weeks there was no significant difference in change of probing pocket depths | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Oral gabapentin (anticonvulsant) vs Placebo Spontaneous pain in the TMJ (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 12 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD -3.20 [-4.71, -1.69] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine vs Staff-controlled delivery of pethidine Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -21.00 [-45.79, 3.79] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Partially absorbed antifungal drug (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole) vs Drug not absorbed from GI tract (e.g., nystatin, amphotericin B) Outcome NR · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | There were no trials comparing partially absorbed drugs with either absorbed drugs or drugs not absorbed. | 0 studies | No studies |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated vs conventional, total mortality: only one trial reported data (Skladowski 2006; IPD available). A statistically significant difference in favour of the altered fractionation was shown (Analysis 1.1). No… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Bone gain (vertical - VDH) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | All treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences in bone gain were found between the two procedures for vertical height of the defect (VDH) (Chen 2007). | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Incidence of systemic infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral diclofenac sodium (NSAID) vs Placebo Pain at rest (not improved) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 2 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.46, 1.76] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Non-resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Resorbable barrier + autogenous bone Major complications at the implant/donor site · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | Four complications occurred: two dehiscences in the resorbable group; one abscess and one dehiscence in the resorbable + autogenous bone group; none in the non-resorbable group. No statistically significant differences… | 1 study · 25 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention programmes - referral to specialist agencies for support in relation to domestic violence vs Different intervention programme Frequency of physical assault by self report · Adults (16 years of age and older) who present to any healthcare setting with dental or facial injury Domestic violence screening and intervention programmes for adults with dental or facial injury (2010) · Cochrane | No eligible randomised controlled trials were identified. The update search retrieved an additional 2129 references; after de-duplication this left 1381 potentially eligible studies, and after examination of titles and… | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-1.49, 0.69] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Hyperfractionated vs conventional, disease free survival: data available for one trial (Fu 2000); no statistically significant difference (Analysis 1.3). No pooled estimate reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.60 [-10.92, 9.72] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Lower total dose radiotherapy (67.2 Gy over 5.6 weeks) vs Conventional/standard total dose radiotherapy (72 Gy) Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.13 [0.78, 1.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ketoconazole (absorbed from GI tract) vs Placebo Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 5.09 [0.73, 35.49] | 1 study · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Sufentanil vs Morphine Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD 5.40 [-3.10, 13.90] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate implants (placed in a fresh extraction socket just after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction, in healed bone) Prosthesis failure · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 1 year Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 4.33 [0.76, 24.56] | 2 studies · 110 participants | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.17 [-0.97, 1.31] | 1 study · 91 participants | Ungraded |
Multidimensional powered toothbrush vs Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush Gingivitis (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD 0.24 [-0.10, 0.58] | 2 studies · 137 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Non-resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) Bone gain (vertical - VDH) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | All treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences were found between the three procedures (Chen 2005a). Vertical height of the defect (VDH). | 1 study · 23 participants | Ungraded |
Oral cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxant) vs Placebo Jaw pain (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 3 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD -1.30 [-2.67, 0.07] | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |
Higher total dose radiotherapy (76.8 Gy over 6.4 weeks) vs Conventional/standard total dose radiotherapy (72 Gy) Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.08 [0.69, 1.70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral prazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo No improvement in TMJ pain on external palpation · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 8 days, 10 mg prazepam Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.10 [0.68, 1.49] | 1 study · 83 participants | Ungraded |
Alfentanil vs Morphine Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -3.90 [-6.42, -1.38] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Clotrimazole (partially absorbed from GI tract) vs Placebo Clinical: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 3.43 [0.51, 22.94] | 1 study · 13 participants | Ungraded |
Oral propranolol (beta-blocker) vs Placebo Reduction in pain intensity (percentage of patients responding) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 1 week per period (cross-over) Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Tchivileva et al 2010: a significantly greater percentage of patients (67.5% versus 32.5%) experienced reduction in pain intensity rating during the propranolol treatment period than the placebo treatment period (P =… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Resorbable barrier + autogenous bone Bone gain (vertical - VDH) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | All treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences were found between the three procedures (Chen 2005a). Vertical height of the defect (VDH). | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated/split-course radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.02 [0.90, 1.17] | 4 studies · 1299 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Resorbable barrier + autogenous bone Bone gain (horizontal - HDD) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | All treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences were found between the three procedures (Chen 2005a). Horizontal depth of the defect (HDD). | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention programmes - referral to specialist agencies for support in relation to domestic violence vs Different intervention programme Severity of injury by self report · Adults (16 years of age and older) who present to any healthcare setting with dental or facial injury Domestic violence screening and intervention programmes for adults with dental or facial injury (2010) · Cochrane | No eligible randomised controlled trials were identified. The update search retrieved an additional 2129 references; after de-duplication this left 1381 potentially eligible studies, and after examination of titles and… | 0 studies | No studies |
Therapist support (visits) vs Control (treatment as usual) Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -5.61 [-17.25, 6.02] | 2 studies · 69 participants | Ungraded |
Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance Limitation of movement · Adults aged 18 years or older with clinically diagnosed TMD (exhibiting two or more of the listed signs and/or symptoms) · At least 6 months after the intervention Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (2010) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluconazole (absorbed from GI tract) vs Itraconazole (absorbed from GI tract) Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.17 [1.04, 1.33] | 2 studies · 291 participants | Ungraded |
Resorbable barrier (guided bone regeneration) vs Resorbable barrier + autogenous bone Major complications at the implant/donor site · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | Four complications occurred: two dehiscences in the resorbable group; one abscess and one dehiscence in the resorbable + autogenous bone group; none in the non-resorbable group. No statistically significant differences… | 1 study · 24 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Aesthetics assessed by dentist: interproximal papilla dimension · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · 2 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | No statistically significant difference for the papilla height assessed by the dentist (Schropp 2003). | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Tetrachlorodecaoxide vs Placebo Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.24 [0.97, 1.58] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.93 [0.71, 1.24] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Ionic powered toothbrush vs Powered toothbrush with a different mode of action Outcome NR · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Ionic: no included trials investigated this brush type (Table 3, 'Interventions used in included trials'). | NR | No studies |
Morning radiotherapy vs Afternoon radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 2 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.74, 1.59] | 1 study · 216 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Implant failure · Patients with compromised teeth to be extracted who require single dental implants in fresh postextraction sockets · up to 5 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | Three early implant failures (two immediate-delayed, one delayed); no statistically significant difference up to 5 years (Schropp 2003). | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention) Adverse events · Children undergoing dental and orthodontic treatment (Gokli 1994; Trakyali 2008) Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies mentioned any adverse effects regarding hypnosis. (Gokli 1994; Trakyali 2008.) | 2 studies · 59 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -3.50 [-13.35, 6.35] | 1 study · 63 participants | Ungraded |
Low level laser therapy vs Sham (placebo) laser treatment Mucositis severity (mild to moderate) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 5.28 [2.30, 12.13] | 2 studies · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Major complications at the augmented site · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · up to 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | Two complications occurred in the Bio-Oss plus barrier group (one abscess during healing; one chronic perimplant mucositis); none in the Bio-Oss group. No statistically significant difference. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated/split-course radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Hyperfractionated/accelerated/split vs conventional, disease free survival: two trials (Fu 2000, Olmi 2003); results contradictory with substantial statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.02, I2 = 82%); no pooled estimate… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Oral prazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo No improvement in spontaneous TMJ pain · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 8 days, 5 mg prazepam Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.79 [0.45, 1.38] | 1 study · 83 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush Plaque (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Long term (>3 months) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.3 Plaque > 3 months (Turesky): 1 trial; totals not selected (no pooled estimate). No differences between the modes for plaque in the long term (> 3 months). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral clonazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo Jaw pain (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 3 weeks Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.20 [-1.69, 1.29] | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |