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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device Preference (device preferred by participants) · 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, preference (Landry 2006): 12 of 13 participants preferred the occlusal splint over the mandibular advancement device (MAD free); a higher proportion of benefitted… | 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) Pocket (probing) depth · 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: no change in pocket depth; there were no differences between the intervention and control groups in overall change in pocket depth. (Some analyses suggested greater change in the intervention group when… | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Thymostimulin 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 0.4 [0.12, 1.32] | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Cast post and core with a diaphragm vs Cast post and core without a diaphragm 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 the presence of a diaphragm in cast posts (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 0.89 [0.68, 1.16] | 4 studies · 1031 participants | Ungraded |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole 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, 232 participants; effect not estimable | 2 studies · 232 participants | Ungraded |
Dycal (calcium hydroxide material) vs Cavitec (zinc oxide eugenol material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Dycal vs Cavitec). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide vs Zinc oxide eugenol 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 |
Norfloxacin plus amphotericin B vs Amphotericin B 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 0.67 [0.2, 2.23] | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide material) vs Cavitec (zinc oxide eugenol material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Life vs Cavitec). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium nitrate/dimethyl isosorbide/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/DMI/PCa) vs Polycarboxylate cement (PCa) alone 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 10/12 in the PCa group. "The results in groups two and three were statistically… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture vs Zinc oxide eugenol 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 |
Antifungal drugs partially absorbed from GI tract (miconazole, clotrimazole) 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 0.16 [0.06, 0.46] | 4 studies · 292 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) Gingival bleeding · 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 reported decreased gingival bleeding in the active intervention group: gingival bleeding present in 9% of the intervention group at baseline and 4% at 4-month follow up, versus 10% of the control group on… | 1 study · 107 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) Attachment loss · 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: no change in attachment loss; no differences between the intervention and control groups in overall change in attachment (loss of attachment) markers. | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Amount of analgesia · 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 vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 0.59 [0.33, 1.06] | 8 studies · 2103 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint 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 palatal splint, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Dube 2004): occlusal splint 79.3 (SD 4.7) mm versus palatal splint 77.8 (8.1) mm; both rated as equally comfortable. No participant reported dry… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Preference (device preferred by participants) · 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 palatal splint, preference (Dube 2004): all participants preferred the palatal splint rather than the occlusal splint; 71% felt the occlusal splint offered greater protection for their teeth. At… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole 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 0.14 [0.01, 2.73] | 1 study · 202 participants | 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) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: there were no differences between the attention control group and the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention group for self reported flossing; it cannot be concluded that the cognitive… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Itraconazole vs Fluconazole 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 0.95 [0.85, 1.05] | 1 study · 202 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) Observed tooth brushing 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 brushing skill; Analysis of Covariance found a significant difference favouring the intervention group (one of four measures on which significant differences were found… | 1 study · 107 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) Dental knowledge · 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: for dental knowledge the control group showed no change pre- and post-intervention, whereas the psychological intervention group improved dental knowledge significantly (both intervention groups improved… | 1 study · 117 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: for self reported brushing only the comparison of the control group with the cognitive behavioural intervention was significant; the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention showed no… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs partially absorbed from GI tract (miconazole, clotrimazole) 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 3.38 [0.15, 77.12] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Paracetamol (single oral dose, any dose or formulation; subgroups up to 1000 mg and 1000 mg or more) vs Placebo Patients with one or more adverse events · Patients requiring surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth or teeth, with baseline moderate to severe pain (surgery… · up to 7 days Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.19 [0.90, 1.57] | 17 studies · 1645 participants | Ungraded |
Post and core restoration with a ferrule vs Post and core restoration without a ferrule 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 the presence of a ferrule (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Non-metal carbon-fibre post and core (Category III; Composipost) vs Metal custom-cast post and core (Category I; gold alloy) Clinical/technical failure (root fracture) · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · 48 months (4 years) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.05 [0.00, 0.90] | 1 study · 195 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 1.25 [0.38, 4.13] | 3 studies · 981 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint Number of bruxism episodes per hour of sleep (Epi/h) · 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 0.54 [-10.95, 12.93] | 1 study | 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 6 hours (using pain relief measurements / TOTPAR) · 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 3.32 [1.88, 5.87] | 13 studies · 1155 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 relief measurements / TOTPAR) · 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 2.85 [1.89, 4.29] | 16 studies · 1498 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 (tooth brushing) · 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 had no discernible effect on self efficacy beliefs concerning tooth brushing; the data on perceived self efficacy for tooth brushing were not analysed due to ceiling effects… | 1 study · 117 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium nitrate/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/PCa) vs Polycarboxylate cement (PCa) alone 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): 9/17 in the KNO3/PCa group and 10/12 in the PCa group developed clinical symptoms requiring endodontic therapy or extraction. No significance test reported for this specific contrast; no… | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Indirect pulp capping Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.1 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following indirect pulp capping, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth lost… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Nystatin 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 1.82 [0.73, 4.54] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Direct composite restoration (final restoration) vs Full-coverage metal-ceramic crown Clinical failure (post dislodgement) · Participants with endodontically-treated permanent premolars restored with a carbon-fibre post (Category III) · 36 months (3 years); dislodgement assessed at 24 months Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.85 [0.17, 19.8] | 1 study · 104 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 0.16 [0.01, 2.95] | 1 study · 51 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs 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 0.89 [0.36, 2.21] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Relief of pain · 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 |
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-reported 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 | Self assessed flossing was assessed in two studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991); both reported improvements for the intervention groups. Little 1997: Analysis of Covariance found significant differences favouring the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 1.05 [1.03, 1.08] | 1 study · 820 participants | Ungraded |
Nystatin 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 0.92 [0.78, 1.08] | 3 studies · 153 participants | 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) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: for self reported brushing only the comparison of the control group with the cognitive behavioural intervention was significant; the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention conveyed no… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Nystatin vs Natamycin 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 1.07 [0.83, 1.37] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Zinc oxide eugenol 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 |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Direct pulp capping Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.3 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following direct pulp capping, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth lost… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract 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 0.4 [0.21, 0.76] | 8 studies · 2103 participants | Ungraded |