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Search review questions

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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

10,375 questions in 429 reviews · Oral Health

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Open reduction and fixation vs Closed (conservative) management (no active intervention other than soft diet, analgesics or antibiotics; or intermaxillary/maxillary-mandibular fixation with rigid or elastic traction)
Outcome NR · Adults, over 18 years of age, with unilateral or bilateral fractures of the mandibular condyles
Interventions for the treatment of fractures of the mandibular condyle (2010) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction)
Aesthetics assessed by dentist: position of the perimplant tissues · 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
RR 1.68 [1.04, 2.72]1 study · 44 participantsUngraded
Oral propranolol (beta-blocker) vs Placebo
Reduction in pain duration (percentage of day) · 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: no statistically significant difference in reduction in pain duration (P = 0.802) between propranolol and placebo.1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment
Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis · End of radiotherapy
Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane
RR 4.23 [1.35, 13.24]1 study · 61 participantsUngraded
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment
Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis · 14 days
Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane
RR 2.09 [0.77, 5.68]1 study · 51 participantsUngraded
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction)
Perimplant marginal bone level changes · 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 differences for marginal bone level changes (Analysis 2.9; Schropp 2003).1 study · 44 participantsUngraded
Oral propranolol (beta-blocker) vs Placebo
Adverse events (treatment-emergent) · 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: at least one treatment-emergent adverse event was reported by five participants (12.5%) during the propranolol period (nausea, diarrhoea, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue) and four participants (10%)…1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated 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 1.00 [0.82, 1.22]1 study · 110 participantsUngraded
Mixed beam (neutron and photon) radiotherapy vs Conventional photon 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 1.12 [0.92, 1.36]1 study · 327 participantsUngraded
Counter oscillation powered toothbrush vs Circular powered toothbrush
Plaque (level reduction) · People of any age with no reported disability affecting their ability to practise normal self-toothbrushing;… · Short term (1-3 months), Adolescents
Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane
Trimpeneers 1997 reported a significant difference in favour of the counter oscillation brush for plaque index at 2 months over a circular mode of action brush; data were unsuitable for meta-analysis.1 study · 36 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine solution enclosed in implant inner part vs Physiologic (saline) solution
Plaque · 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
MD 0.00 [-0.48, 0.48]1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
Alfentanil 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 0.00 [-31.01, 31.01]1 study · 28 participantsUngraded
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing
Ease of maintenance · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
RR 0.94 [0.79, 1.12]1 study · 31 participantsUngraded
Screening for domestic violence vs No screening
Proportion of victims of domestic violence detected 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 studiesNo studies
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing
Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
MD 0.08 [-0.64, 0.80]1 study · 31 participantsUngraded
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation
Implant failure · 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
Two implants were lost in the autogenous bone group versus none in the non-augmented group; no statistically significant difference (Chen 2005b).1 study · 26 participantsUngraded
Counter oscillation 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;… · Short term (1-3 months), Adolescents
Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane
One cross-over trial of 36 adolescents (Trimpeneers 1997); data not presented in a suitable format for meta-analysis; no significant differences between counter oscillation and rotation oscillation for plaque index /…1 study · 36 participantsUngraded
Ultrasonic powered toothbrush vs Multidimensional 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
One cross-over trial (Costa 2007) made this comparison; data were not available in a useable form.1 studyUngraded
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) vs Conventional or other radiotherapy
Outcome NR · 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
Discussion: 'There are currently no trials of IMRT in this systematic review' (the PARSPORT trial was underway, expected 2013). No eligible trials of intensity modulated radiotherapy identified.0 studiesNo studies
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction)
Patients' aesthetic perception (satisfaction with crown appearance) · 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 aesthetics assessed by the patient (Analysis 2.5; Schropp 2003).1 study · 44 participantsUngraded
Oral clonazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo
Participants' assessment of improvement of pain in left TMJ (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 60 days
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
MD -1.36 [-3.68, 0.96]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Hyperfractionated/accelerated 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 vs conventional, disease free survival: one trial (Poulsen 2001); no statistically significant difference (Analysis 1.3). No pooled estimate.1 studyUngraded
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Change in taste · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
MD -0.55 [-1.02, -0.08]1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Oral clonazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo
Pain on palpation of left masseter muscle (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 60 days
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
MD -0.89 [-2.46, 0.68]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Multidimensional powered toothbrush vs Side to side action powered toothbrush
Plaque (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
Analysis 5.1 Plaque < 3 months (Turesky): 3 trials, 236 participants (Goyal 2005; Patters 2005; Zimmer 2005); significant heterogeneity (P < 0.1; I2 = 96%), so no statistical pooling was undertaken.3 studies · 236 participantsUngraded
Immediate implants (placed just after tooth extraction) vs Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction)
Aesthetics assessed by dentist: position of the perimplant tissues · 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
Two years after implant placement there were no implant failures, complications or drop-outs, nor statistically significant differences for the level of the perimplant marginal mucosa in relation to the implant collar…1 study · 16 participantsUngraded
Powered toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing
Plaque · 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
MD 0.10 [-0.66, 0.86]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing
Plaque · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
MD -0.14 [-0.47, 0.19]1 study · 31 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen
Patient preference / acceptance of treatment · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005)
Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane
The majority of patients preferred inhalation sedation over hypnosis. (Braithwaite 2005; 10 patients.)1 study · 10 participantsUngraded
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Implant failure · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
RR 0.28 [0.01, 6.43]1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Sufentanil vs Hydromorphone
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
Sufentanil vs hydromorphone (Coda 1997): no statistically significant difference; no separate estimate reported1 studyUngraded
Neutron radiotherapy vs Conventional photon 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 1.10 [0.90, 1.34]3 studiesUngraded
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Placebo or no treatment
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 -1.10 [-3.59, 1.39]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Mechanical debridement plus topical minocycline vs Mechanical debridement plus chlorhexidine gel
Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 12 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
MD 0.30 [-0.17, 0.77]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
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… · 5 years
Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane
RR 1.17 [0.57, 2.43]1 study · 147 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen
Total treatment time · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005)
Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane
No significant difference in total treatment time between inhalation sedation and hypnorelaxation; hypnorelaxation demanded little additional time to complete care. (Braithwaite 2005.)1 study · 10 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention)
Difference in post-operative anxiety between test and control groups · Children and adolescents up to 16 years of age undergoing dental treatment
Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane
Difference in post-operative anxiety was a protocol-planned outcome but was not measured or reported by any included study (no post-operative anxiety scale was reported).NRNo studies
Cognitive behavioural therapy vs Control (treatment as usual)
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 -0.20 [-4.29, 3.89]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Hyperfractionated/accelerated split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost
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
Fu 1995: no significant difference in locoregional control; data not presented in a way that allows calculation of an HR.1 study · 75 participantsUngraded
Oral piroxicam (NSAID) vs Placebo
Number of participants with severe dysfunction (pain of TMD not improved) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 15 days
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.29, 1.76]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
Morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) vs Morphine via continuous infusion (CI)
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 -0.65 [-1.20, -0.09]3 studies · 113 participantsUngraded
Oral prazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo
No improvement in TMJ pain during mastication · 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 0.97 [0.61, 1.54]1 study · 83 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen
Adverse events · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005)
Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane
None of the studies mentioned any adverse effects regarding hypnosis. (Braithwaite 2005.)1 study · 10 participantsUngraded
Cognitive behavioural therapy 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 -7.29 [-17.40, 2.83]2 studies · 68 participantsUngraded
Clotrimazole 50 mg (partially absorbed) vs Clotrimazole 10 mg (partially absorbed)
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 1.00 [0.90, 1.11]1 study · 52 participantsUngraded
Subgingival chlorhexidine irrigation vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Marginal bleeding · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 3 months
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane
MD -0.17 [-0.19, -0.15]1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
Morning radiotherapy vs Afternoon radiotherapy
Quality of life · 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
Bjarnason 2009: no statistically significant difference in quality of life scores (data not reported). Morning radiotherapy was associated with significantly less weight loss after 5 months.1 study · 216 participantsUngraded
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier
Poor aesthetics measured by dentist (after restoration) · 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
After placement of the final restorations the operator judged aesthetics to be poor in 2/10 patients of the Bio-Oss group and in 4/10 of the Bio-Oss plus barrier group; no statistically significant difference.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis combined with a sedative agent vs Sedation alone (sedative agent only)
Outcome NR · Children and adolescents up to 16 years of age undergoing dental treatment
Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane
No randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing hypnosis combined with sedation versus sedation alone met the inclusion criteria; this planned comparison had no eligible studies.0 studiesNo studies
Topical capsaicin (0.025% cream) vs Placebo
Pain on daily activity (VAS) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 4 weeks
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane
MD -1.12 [-3.12, 0.88]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded