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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.72, 1.40] | 1 study · 344 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Adverse effects (tooth staining and other side effects) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Adverse-effect data scarcely reported: a stain score in one trial and 'any side effects' in one trial without complete or useable data (stated 'no side effects observed in both groups'). No useful information on tooth… | NR | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Adverse reactions · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; no adverse-reaction data were reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Bite plates Helkimo dysfunction score · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.68 [0.20, 2.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.22, 2.59] | 1 study · 196 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.23 [0.04, 0.43] | 2 studies · 497 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.29 [0.61, 2.71] | 2 studies · 294 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Movement (deviation and range of mouth opening) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.55 [0.35, 0.84] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Enamel fluorosis (adverse effect) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Pain following treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; pain following treatment was not reported by the included trial (earlier trial publications reported treatment times, not pain). | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Adverse events · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… · To 6 months Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Baysan 2003 stated that no adverse events were reported to 6 months; no information was provided by Abu-Naba'a 2003 or Abu-Naba'a 2003pilot. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Restoration failure (longevity) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (data by restoration, not pooled; no statistical analysis possible). Failures over 2-year follow-up: direct resin composite (n=69) 4 absolute and 14 relative failures; indirect resin composite (n=54) 7… | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.21, 0.21] | 3 studies · 1256 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect veneer with no incisal edge reduction vs Indirect veneer with incisal edge reduction (1.5 mm plus short palatal bevel) Restoration survival (longevity) · Patients receiving indirect laminate veneer restorations on permanent anterior teeth · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 3): survival percentages by preparation type at 2 years (original/functional/overall) - no incisal edge reduction 98/97/95; incisal reduction 95/90/87. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Minimal/no treatment Depression (CES-D, POMS) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD -3.90 [-6.29, -1.52] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Helkimo clinical dysfunction score · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs acupuncture (Johansson 1991): Helkimo clinical dysfunction score decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.01) with no significant between-group difference; data not available for a pooled estimate. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Cost of treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; cost of treatment was not reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Patient satisfaction · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Abu-Naba'a 2003 reported participants' state of anxiety, comparing ozone treatment with traditional dental interventions (injection, drilling, filling); because no participant was randomised between ozone and drilling… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.28 [0.37, 4.41] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture TMJ clicking · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.56, 1.78] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, indirect resin composite 82%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Porcelain (indirect) veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, porcelain 93%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Caries increment in deciduous teeth: d(e)fs (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.19 | 1 study · 186 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride gel vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.02 [-0.20, 0.24] | 1 study · 252 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.48 [0.12, 0.84] | 1 study · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Proportion of children developing new caries (deciduous) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | Petersson 1985 reported the proportion of children developing one or more new carious deciduous surfaces; exactly the same proportions were reported in both groups (no evidence of a difference). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.18, 0.19] | 6 studies · 2545 participants | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Porcelain (indirect) veneer Restoration failure (longevity) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (data by restoration, not pooled; no statistical analysis possible). Failures over 2-year follow-up: direct resin composite (n=69) 4 absolute and 14 relative failures; porcelain (n=56) 0 absolute and 3… | 1 study · 125 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF -0.14 [-0.40, 0.12] | 1 study · 257 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.14 [-0.12, 0.40] | 1 study · 254 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.10 [-0.01, 0.21] | 3 studies · 759 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.93, 1.22] | 5 studies · 1998 participants | Ungraded |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Further conventional dental treatment (filling and drilling) (binary yes/no) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Data were not provided by any study on the number of lesions requiring restorations to 6 months or later; no data on any further conventional treatment or other dental interventions. | NR | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Cost · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | No data were provided in any of the included trials on costs. | NR | No studies |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.10 [0.02, 0.17] | 9 studies · 4026 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse) Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.78, 1.00] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Treatment credibility · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD -0.10 [-0.69, 0.49] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.07 [0.00, 0.13] | 5 studies · 2738 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.14 [-0.09, 0.38] | 3 studies · 1217 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.10 [-0.12, 0.32] | 4 studies · 952 participants | Ungraded |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Pain (assessed by the patient) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | No data were provided in any of the included trials on pain. | NR | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Caries progression/regression (clinical severity index, log(e) ECM and log(e) DIAGNOdent scores) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… · 6 and 12 months Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | No consistent trend of benefit or harm following ozone was seen across the outcome measures in any of the three studies; analyses were conducted at the lesion level (not independent of the person), so data were not… | 3 studies · 137 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Pain (unpleasantness/intensity/palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.44 [0.81, 2.58] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Movement (increase in maximal mouth opening) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD 1.45 [-1.47, 4.37] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse) Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.01 [-0.13, 0.14] | 9 studies · 3801 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation Pain (reduction in pain on palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): reduction in pain on palpation. Okeson 1983 showed a significant reduction favouring SS; Winocur 2002 did not. Significant heterogeneity (P<0.01, I2=98.3%) meant the data… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Helkimo clinical dysfunction index · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.11 [0.64, 1.92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Caries increment (dfs), deciduous teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF -0.05 | 1 study · 183 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture Pain (palpation and on movement) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.24, 1.65] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management Pain (severity/muscle palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | MD 0.30 [-0.48, 1.08] | 1 study | Ungraded |