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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)

264 questions in 10 reviews · Other oral health

current versions
No studies 45 · 17%Ungraded 127 · 48.1%Very low 24 · 9.1%Low 46 · 17.4%Moderate 13 · 4.9%High 9 · 3.4%

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
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 12-month recall
Oral-health-related quality of life · Regular-attending primary-care dental patients aged 3, 16 or 18 years at entry (aged up to 20; low caries risk) · 2 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
Summary of findings 1 lists 'Oral-health-related quality of life: Not reported' for the 24-month versus 12-month comparison (Wang 1992 did not measure it).0 studiesNo studies
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Periodontal disease: probing pocket depth (mm) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.03 [-0.01, 0.07]1 study · 1463 participantsHigh
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Dental caries: prevalence of moderate to extensive caries (ICDAS 3-6) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.04 [0.99, 1.09]1 study · 1478 participantsModerate
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Oral-health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.35 [-1.02, 0.32]1 study · 1551 participantsHigh
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Dental caries: number of tooth surfaces with any caries (ICDAS 1-6) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.15 [-0.77, 1.08]1 study · 1478 participantsHigh
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Dental caries: prevalence of root caries · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.21 [0.72, 2.03]1 study · 247 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 12-month recall
Total time (examination plus treatment) (minutes) · Regular-attending primary-care dental patients aged 3, 16 or 18 years at entry (aged up to 20; low caries risk) · 2 years, 16-20 year olds (permanent teeth)
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -23.7 [-43.28, -4.12]1 study · 127 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Dental caries: prevalence of root caries · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.17 [0.65, 2.11]1 study · 238 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 12-month recall
Dental caries: DMFS increment (permanent teeth) · Regular-attending primary-care dental patients aged 3, 16 or 18 years at entry (aged up to 20; low caries risk) · 2 years, 16-20 year olds (permanent teeth)
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.86 [-0.03, 1.75]1 study · 127 participantsVery low
No recall interval / patient-driven attendance vs A fixed recall interval
Outcome NR · Children and adults receiving dental check-ups in primary care, irrespective of oral disease risk
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
No studies identified comparing no-recall/patient-driven attendance with a fixed recall interval.0 studiesNo studies
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Dental caries: prevalence of moderate to extensive caries (ICDAS 3-6) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.95, 1.19]1 study · 279 participantsModerate
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Oral health knowledge (1-9 scale) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.01 [-0.03, 0.01]1 study · 1604 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with 24-month recall vs Clinical examination with 6-month recall
Oral health knowledge (1-9 scale) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD -0.01 [-0.05, 0.03]1 study · 308 participantsUngraded
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Dental caries: number of tooth surfaces with any caries (ICDAS 1-6) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 1.40 [-0.69, 3.49]1 study · 279 participantsModerate
Clinical examination with risk-based recall vs Clinical examination with 24-month recall
Cost (patient perspective): total cost per patient (GBP) · Dentate adults (aged 18 years and older) receiving dental check-ups in UK general dental practices (regular attenders) · 4 years
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
MD 34.00 [9.78, 58.22]1 study · 375 participantsUngraded
ADMG + CAF vs CAF
Occurrence of adverse effects or postoperative complications · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Ahmedbeyli 2014: patients rated ADMG + CAF and CAF equally for pain during surgery, discomfort, postsurgical pain/swelling and complications1 studyUngraded
GTR rm + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Occurrence of adverse effects or postoperative complications · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Wang 2001: two patients treated with SCTG experienced adverse effects (one postsurgical swelling, one postsurgical ecchymosis)1 studyUngraded
GTR rm + CAF vs GTR nrm + CAF
Clinical attachment level change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.12 [-0.37, 0.60]2 studiesUngraded
Pedicled buccal fat pad flap (PBFPF) vs Buccal flap (BF)
Adverse effects of treatment failure (such as graft necrosis and rejection or chronic sinusitis) · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
None reported as there were no treatment failures.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Surgical technique vs Non-surgical technique
Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
EMP + CAF vs CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Sangiorgio 2017 (VAS): root coverage aesthetics and overall aesthetic results showed similar/equivalent outcomes for EMP + CAF and CAF1 studyUngraded
Surgical technique vs No treatment
Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs GTR rm + CAF
Keratinized tissue width change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.23 [-0.21, 0.68]2 studiesUngraded
XCM + CAF vs CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Sangiorgio 2017 (VAS): root coverage aesthetics and overall aesthetic results were similar for XCM + CAF and CAF, irrespective of the treatment applied1 studyLow
EMP + CAF vs CAF
Keratinized tissue width change (short and medium term) · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short and medium term (6 to 24 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.40 [0.17, 0.62]3 studiesUngraded
EMP + CAF vs CAF
Gingival recession depth change (short and medium term) · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short and medium term (6 to 24 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.32 [0.10, 0.55]3 studiesUngraded
GTR rm + CAF vs GTR nrm + CAF
Keratinized tissue width change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.12 [-0.23, 0.48]2 studiesUngraded
GTR rm + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Clinical attachment level change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.35 [0.06, 0.63]3 studies · 98 participantsLow
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs GTR rm + CAF
Gingival recession depth change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.48 [0.09, 0.88]2 studiesUngraded
PRF + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Keratinized tissue width change · Adult patients with multiple recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.26 [-0.98, 0.45]2 studiesUngraded
EMP + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Sites with complete root coverage · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short and medium term (6 to 24 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
OR 0.61 [0.05, 7.86]2 studies · 62 participantsVery low
ADMG + CAF vs CAF
Sites with complete root coverage · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
OR 3.97 [0.20, 80.50]2 studies · 50 participantsVery low
GTR rm + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion: Not reported (SoF 5)0 studiesNo studies
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs GTR rm + CAF
Sites with complete root coverage · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
OR 1.87 [0.75, 4.64]2 studiesUngraded
GTR rm + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Gingival recession change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.37 [-0.60, -0.13]3 studies · 98 participantsLow
XCM + CAF vs CAF
Sites with complete root coverage · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
OR 4.73 [2.35, 9.50]2 studies · 104 participantsLow
PRF + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Occurrence of adverse effects or postoperative complications · Adult patients with multiple recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Oncu 2017: VAS showed less discomfort during the first postoperative week for PRF + CAF compared to SCTG + CAF1 studyUngraded
PRF + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with multiple recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Aesthetic condition change was not reported for this comparison0 studiesNo studies
ADMG + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Keratinized tissue change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.59 [-1.27, 0.10]4 studies · 100 participantsVery low
Non-surgical technique vs No treatment
Outcome NR · People of any age with oro-antral communications, fistulae, or both caused by dental procedures
Interventions for treating oro‐antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
ADMG + CAF vs CAF
Keratinized tissue width change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.28 [-0.08, 0.64]2 studies · 50 participantsLow
ADMG + CAF vs CAF
Gingival recession depth change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.61 [-0.52, 1.73]2 studies · 50 participantsLow
ADMG + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion: Not reported (SoF main comparison)0 studiesNo studies
EMP + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Aesthetic condition change related to patient's opinion · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · 10 years
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
McGuire 2012 (10 years after surgery): 6 patients had no preference for a particular treatment, 2 favoured EMD + CAF, 1 favoured SCTG + CAF (P=0.564)1 studyVery low
GTR rm + CAF vs GTR nrm + CAF
Gingival recession depth change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD 0.23 [-0.22, 0.68]2 studiesUngraded
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs GTR rm + CAF
Occurrence of adverse effects or postoperative complications · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Dodge 2000: membrane exposure reported between the first and second weeks of healing1 studyUngraded
ADMG + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Gingival recession change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.36 [-1.03, 0.30]4 studies · 100 participantsLow
GTR rm + CAF vs GTR nrm + CAF
Patients' preference for a specific procedure · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
Roccuzzo 1996: all patients preferred the GTR treatment because it was a single-step procedure1 studyUngraded
Laterally positioned flap (LPF) vs Any other root coverage procedure
Outcome NR · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
We did not find any RCTs evaluating laterally positioned flaps (LPF)0 studiesNo studies
GTR rm associated with bone substitutes + CAF vs SCTG + CAF
Gingival recession depth change · Adult patients with single (localised) recession-type defects (Miller Class I/II, at least 3 mm) · Short term (6 to 12 months)
Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession‐type defects (2018) · Cochrane
MD -0.82 [-2.13, 0.49]2 studiesUngraded