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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Conditioning and sealing with an adhesive resin (smear-removing bonding system) vs Conventional calcium hydroxide lining Maintenance of pulp vitality (freedom from pulpal breakdown) up to 36 months · Healthy adults with asymptomatic posterior permanent teeth with deep caries and a vital (non-exposed) pulp requiring… · 36 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Whitworth 2005: 602 teeth randomised; 39 emergency recalls over the 36 months after restoration, with pulp breakdown associated with 16 teeth. The authors concluded that "dentists should be confident that pulps will be… | 1 study · 602 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Total sleep time (min) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD -8.60 [-96.17, 78.97] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs partially absorbed from GI tract (miconazole, clotrimazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 2.27 [0.23, 22.56] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract vs Placebo or no treatment Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.69 [0.47, 1.01] | 8 studies · 382 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Sleep efficiency (%) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD -2.40 [-8.36, 3.56] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Amphotericin B vs Placebo or no treatment Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.46 [0.18, 1.23] | 2 studies · 48 participants | Ungraded |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole Empirical antifungal treatment · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.5 [0.05, 5.43] | 1 study · 202 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device Pain during the night (adverse effect) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device (Landry 2006): pain during the night occurred with the MAD max and MAD min configurations (8/13). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Observed flossing skill · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 4 months Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Little 1997 observed and rated participants on flossing skill; Analysis of Covariance found a significant difference favouring the intervention group. | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.65 [0.37, 1.14] | 6 studies · 1041 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Relief of dysphagia · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this review | NR | No studies |
Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture vs Calcium hydroxide Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Prefabricated metal post and core (Category II) vs Metal custom-cast post and core (Category I) Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial compared metal-cast posts with prefabricated metal posts (a planned primary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological interventions (benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, beta blockers, dopamine agents, antidepressants, botulinum toxin A and B, analgesics) Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Pharmacological interventions remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with any drug; no eligible study. | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | The impact of psychological interventions on clinical markers was assessed in three studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991; Weinstein 1996). All three found that psychological interventions resulted in improved plaque… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Empirical antifungal treatment · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.85 [0.73, 0.99] | 2 studies · 465 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-efficacy beliefs (flossing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly higher change in self efficacy scores for flossing at post-intervention compared to the other two groups (control and educational). Flossing… | 1 study · 117 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device Oral dryness (adverse effect) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device (Landry 2006): oral dryness occurred with the MAD min configuration (7/13). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Calcium hydroxide Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) Pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Occlusal splint versus TENS, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo or no treatment Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.59 [0.19, 1.83] | 3 studies · 115 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Behaviour therapy (sleep hygiene, relaxation, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback) Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Behaviour therapy remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with behaviour therapy; no eligible study. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device Comfort (visual analogue scale) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Landry 2006): occlusal splint 79 mm, MAD free 41 mm, MAD min 15 mm, MAD max 12 mm; the occlusal splint was rated most comfortable. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Awakenings per hour · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD 0.40 [-2.51, 3.31] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Metal post of one alloy type vs Metal post of a different alloy type Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial evaluated alloy type in metal posts (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | 1 study (Huijgens 1999); no evidence of a difference; single-study total not pooled | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Cost of oral care · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this review | NR | No studies |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Good compliance · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.89, 1.27] | 2 studies · 615 participants | Ungraded |
Norfloxacin plus amphotericin B vs Amphotericin B Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.38 [0.15, 1.0] | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) Clicks in TMJ on oral opening and closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.60 [0.19, 1.92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs No treatment Increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · children (age 3 to 5 years) Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Arousal index · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD 1.22 [-3.61, 6.05] | 2 studies · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Duration of stay in hospital (days) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this review | NR | No studies |
Antifungal drugs partially absorbed from GI tract (miconazole, clotrimazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Toxicity (adverse events probably due to drug) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | 2 studies, 60 participants; effect not estimable (no events reported) | 2 studies · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Chlorhexidine plus nystatin Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.62 [0.64, 4.1] | 1 study · 52 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium nitrate/dimethyl isosorbide/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/DMI/PCa) vs Potassium nitrate/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/PCa) Clinical success (absence of periapical pathology, tenderness to pressure and fistula formation) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic vital pulpal exposures from caries · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Hodosh 2003 (Analysis 3.1): all 18 patients receiving KNO3/DMI/PCa responded favourably (0/18 developed clinical symptoms) versus 9/17 in the KNO3/PCa group; symptomatic teeth required endodontic therapy or extraction.… | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) Clicks in TMJ on oral opening or closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.33, 3.02] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Placebo Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Placebo remained a planned comparator in the review methods (Types of interventions), but none of the five included trials compared occlusal splint with placebo; no eligible study. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Episodes with grinding noise · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD 0.90 [-10.19, 11.99] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device Sleep bruxism episodes per hour of sleep · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · MAD in 75% advancement (MAD max) Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | MD 5.9 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Death associated with fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.44 [0.14, 15.43] | 3 studies · 718 participants | Ungraded |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.0 [0.26, 3.89] | 1 study · 202 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 4 hours (using pain intensity measurements / SPID) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 4 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 4.87 [2.83, 8.37] | 17 studies · 1658 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs No treatment Increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · 6 months of follow up, children (age 3 to 5 years) Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ketoconazole 400 mg vs Ketoconazole 200 mg Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | 1 study (Scrimgeour 1985); no patient experienced oral candidiasis, not estimable | 1 study | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Attention control (attention/contact without an active psychological intervention) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Weinstein 1996 reported that the psychological intervention led to improvements in plaque score greater than that noted in the attention control group; however the sample size in each arm was very small (n=5) and the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) Headaches · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane | Occlusal splint versus TENS, headaches (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable (Risk Ratio, M-H, Fixed, 95% CI; subtotals only). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Patient quality of life · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this review | NR | No studies |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Achieving at least 50% pain relief at 6 hours (using pain intensity measurements / SPID) · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · 6 hours Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 3.41 [2.34, 4.97] | 13 studies · 1184 participants | Ungraded |