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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Pre-operative radiotherapy (plus surgery) vs Surgery alone 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 0.83 [0.64, 1.07] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention) Measures of behaviour during local anaesthesia administration (undesirable behaviours: crying, hand movement, physical resistance, leg movement) · Children aged 4 to 13 years with no previous dental experience undergoing restorative treatment with local anaesthesia… Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Patients who were hypnotised demonstrated fewer undesirable behaviours (crying, hand movement, physical resistance and leg movement) than those who did not undergo hypnosis. Decreased crying with hypnosis was the only… | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action 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 0.35 [-0.04, 0.74] | 6 studies | 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) Implant 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 |
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation 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 | Both treatments resulted in statistically significant bone gain, however no statistically significant differences were found between the two procedures for vertical height of the defect (VDH) (Chen 2005b). | 1 study · 26 participants | Ungraded |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Patients' general satisfaction of treatment · 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 | MD 6.51 [0.39, 12.63] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Morphine vs Tricyclic antidepressant (nortriptyline) 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 -19.10 [-31.01, -7.19] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Rotation 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) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | SMD -0.02 [-0.51, 0.47] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation 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… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated vs conventional, locoregional control: one trial (Skladowski 2006); a statistically significant difference in favour of the altered fractionation was shown (Analysis 1.2). No numeric estimate given. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen Measures of behaviour / negative responses during local anaesthesia administration · Children aged 10 to 16 years undergoing orthodontic extractions (Braithwaite 2005) Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Hypnosis can control some of the patient's negative responses to dental treatment, such as movement and behaviour, during administration of local anaesthesia. (Braithwaite 2005; single-blind cross-over, 10 patients… | 1 study · 10 participants | Ungraded |
Oral piroxicam (NSAID) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · 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 | Roldan et al 1990 (piroxicam) reported adverse effects. Per the review's Adverse effects of interventions section: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects… | 1 study · 41 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action powered toothbrush vs Circular 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 0.89 [0.38, 1.41] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Higher total dose radiotherapy (76.8 Gy over 6.4 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 0.78 [0.55, 1.11] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated/split-course radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation 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… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.86 [0.74, 1.01] | 4 studies · 1299 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated 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 0.87 [0.75, 1.00] | 4 studies · 1071 participants | Ungraded |
Clotrimazole 50 mg (partially absorbed) vs Clotrimazole 10 mg (partially absorbed) 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 2.00 [1.11, 3.60] | 1 study · 52 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Poor aesthetics measured by patient (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 delivery of the prostheses one patient in each group was dissatisfied with aesthetics (1/10 vs 1/10); no statistically significant difference (Chen 2007). | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative and post-operative radiotherapy vs Post-operative radiotherapy alone 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 0.67 [0.35, 1.28] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Listerine mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash Probing attachment level · 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 0.07 [-0.11, 0.25] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Patient satisfaction (desire for future use) · 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 2.08 [1.52, 2.64] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy plus chemotherapy vs Chemoradiotherapy with standard (conventional) fractionation 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 no completed trials of altered fractionation plus chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy with standard fractionation.' | 0 studies | No studies |
Immediate-delayed implants (placed within 8 weeks after tooth extraction) vs Delayed implants (placed at least 2 months after extraction) Patients' perception of how long treatment took · 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 | MD -20.30 [-33.36, -7.24] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Mechanical debridement plus topical minocycline vs Mechanical debridement plus chlorhexidine gel Change in probing pocket depth (worst sites) · 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 0.40 [-0.28, 1.08] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) vs Povidone iodine 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 -3.50 [-4.14, -2.86] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Autogenous bone graft augmentation at the immediate implant site vs No augmentation 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 | No statistically significant differences between the two procedures for horizontal depth of the defect (HDD) (Chen 2005b). | 1 study · 26 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 Development of TMD (onset/incidence of signs and symptoms) · People without TMD at baseline undergoing orthodontic treatment (TMD clinically absent at baseline); no age… · Follow-up period extended into adulthood Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (2010) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) 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 | Accelerated vs conventional, disease free survival: both trials reported this, but substantial clinical and statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.0004, I2 = 92%) meant a pooled analysis was not reported (Analysis 1.3). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost 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 | Fu 1995: no significant difference in disease free survival; data not presented in a way that allows calculation of an HR. | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Rotation oscillation powered toothbrush vs Circular 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 0.87 [0.36, 1.39] | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Triclosan dentifrice vs Sodium fluoride dentifrice 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 -7.50 [-17.52, 2.52] | 1 study · 59 participants | Ungraded |
Hyaluronic acid gel (brushing) vs Chlorhexidine gel (brushing) Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.65, 0.65] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Oral prazepam (benzodiazepine) vs Placebo Adverse events (reported; mild, no withdrawals) · Adult patients aged >=18 years, clinically or radiographically diagnosed with TMD (McNeill 1997 criteria); moderate to… · 8 days Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (2010) · Cochrane | Rossi et al 1983 (prazepam) reported adverse effects. Per the review's Adverse effects of interventions section: 'All but one study (Lobo et al 2004) reported adverse effects. Most of the reported adverse effects were… | 1 study · 83 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation 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… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.79 [0.70, 0.89] | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Ultrasonic powered toothbrush vs Multidimensional powered toothbrush Adverse events · 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 | Costa 2007 reported no adverse events identified by either participants or examiner. | 1 study | 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 Overall symptoms, pain and headache (relief from symptoms assessed by global measures) · 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 |
Pre-operative radiotherapy (plus surgery) vs Surgery alone Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · Timing unclear Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.28, 1.46] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy vs Chemoradiotherapy (concurrent, standard fractionation) 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: altered fractionation radiotherapy 'has not been directly compared to chemoradiotherapy'. No eligible head-to-head trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Hypnosis vs No hypnosis (no hypnotic intervention) Orthodontic appliance (headgear) wearing time and patient co-operation · Children (mean age approximately 10 years) with skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion undergoing orthodontic… · 6 months Hypnosis for children undergoing dental treatment (2010) · Cochrane | A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in headgear wear was observed in the control (verbal motivation) group from the first to the sixth month; the difference in the hypnosis group was not significant,… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Polyvariant intramuscular immunoglobulin 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 1.81 [1.24, 2.65] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Phosphoric etching (acid) gel vs Mechanical debridement and polishing Plaque · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 5 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.33, 0.33] | 1 study · 16 participants | Ungraded |
Side to side action 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) Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health (2010) · Cochrane | Analysis 3.1 Plaque < 3 months (Turesky): 1 trial (Yankell 1997), 64 participants; totals not selected; no significant difference between side to side and circular for plaque in the short term. | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Augmentation (prosthesis/implant) failure · 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 | There were no prosthesis or implant failures in either group (Bio-Oss vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier; Chen 2007); not estimable. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Bio-Oss (anorganic bovine bone) vs Bio-Oss + resorbable barrier Poor aesthetics measured by dentist (3 years) · Patients receiving immediate single implants in fresh extraction sockets (maxillary anterior/premolar sites) · 3 years Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate,… (2010) · Cochrane | After 3 years of loading, the operator judged aesthetics to be poor in 2/7 patients of the Bio-Oss group and in 2/5 of the Bio-Oss plus barrier group; no statistically significant difference. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Oral diclofenac sodium (NSAID) vs Placebo Daily pain (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 0.71 [0.49, 1.04] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Mechanical debridement plus topical minocycline vs Mechanical debridement plus chlorhexidine gel Soreness in the gums · 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 | RR 5.00 [0.66, 38.15] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Inlay/interposed bone graft (iliac or Bio-Oss block) + longer implants (vertical augmentation) vs Short implants (8 to 11 mm) without augmentation Severe pain for > 1 week · Patients with atrophic (resorbed) mandibles (anterior 6 to 12 mm; posterior 7 to 8 mm) needing implants · 3 weeks post-surgery Interventions for replacing missing teeth: horizontal and vertical bone augmentation techniques for dental… (2009) · Cochrane | OR 22.67 [4.37, 117.47] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Aciclovir (oral or intravenous) for treatment vs Placebo Time to complete healing of lesions · Patients being treated for cancer with established oral HSV infection (bone marrow transplant recipients /… Interventions for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus in patients being treated for cancer (2009) · Cochrane | Two studies. Median time to total healing was shorter for patients receiving oral or intravenous aciclovir than placebo: median of 8 days versus 21 days, P = 0.01 (Shepp 1985); 13.9 days versus 20.7 days, P = 0.08… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Two-stage sinus lift + buccal onlay iliac grafts WITH platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vs Same grafts WITHOUT PRP (split-mouth) Implant/prosthesis failure and complications · Patients with resorbed maxillae (incl. atrophic sinuses) needing implants · 2 years post-loading Interventions for replacing missing teeth: horizontal and vertical bone augmentation techniques for dental… (2009) · Cochrane | No statistically significant difference for any outcome; data not shown (Raghoebar 2005) | 1 study · 5 participants | Ungraded |
Any denture cleansing method (mechanical or chemical) vs Another method, sham/placebo, or no treatment Costs · Adults (over 18) wearing complete dentures (CD) or removable partial dentures (RPD) Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | Noticeable absence of reports about costs of materials associated with denture cleansing methods; no included study assessed costs (Discussion; Implications for research). | 0 studies | No studies |
Vertical distraction osteogenesis vs Autogenous onlay bone graft (mandibular ramus) Augmentation procedure (partial) failure · Patients with vertically deficient posterior/anterior mandibular ridges needing implants · Up to 3 years post-loading Interventions for replacing missing teeth: horizontal and vertical bone augmentation techniques for dental… (2009) · Cochrane | OR 0.88 [0.05, 16.74] | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |