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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises Pain (TMJ, muscle, on movement) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · up to 6 months Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs jaw exercises (Magnusson 1999): improvements in all pain outcomes (TMJ pain, muscle pain, pain on movement) for both groups at 3 and 6 months; no statistically significant between-group difference at any time… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation Movement (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 | SS vs relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): change in maximal mouth opening (active/comfortable and assisted/painful). Significant heterogeneity (active/comfortable P<0.01, I2=92.9%; assisted/painful P<0.01, I2=94%);… | 2 studies | 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) Time to intervention · 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 time to intervention. | NR | No studies |
Fluoride mouthrinse 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 1.03 [0.84, 1.26] | 3 studies · 1704 participants | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management 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 5.50 [1.49, 9.51] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Colour match (aesthetic achievement) · 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; colour match was not reported by the single included trial (Meijering 1998). | 0 studies | No studies |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Quality of life · 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 0.12 [0.02, 0.90] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint Overall improvement of symptoms · 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 1.13 [0.79, 1.61] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises Overall improvement · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · up to 6 months Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane | SS vs jaw exercises (Magnusson 1999): overall improvement at 3 months and greater than 3 months; no statistically significant between-group difference; a follow-up questionnaire 1 to 4 years later showed a lasting… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste 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 0.15 | 1 study · 173 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride 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 1.19 [0.86, 1.65] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Composite resin inlay Outcome NR · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane | One randomised controlled trial (Gladys 1995) compared ceramic and resin composite inlays over 3 years, but it was excluded because the study design (parallel-group or split-mouth) was not clearly described; no… | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.22, 0.27] | 116 studies | Ungraded |
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Amalgam Outcome NR · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane | No eligible randomised controlled trial comparing ceramic inlays with amalgam restorations was identified; this planned comparison could not be evaluated. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Psychosocial outcomes · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | There were no data on psychosocial outcomes, costs or quality of life in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [-0.11, 0.63] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.21, 0.30] | 79 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Headache (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.90 [0.13, 6.08] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance Pain (frequency) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.13 [0.01, 2.58] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance Headache (frequency) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 1.40 [0.45, 4.35] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.53 [0.23, 0.82] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Pain (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.5 [0.07, 3.85] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.23, 0.29] | 133 studies · 65169 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Enamel fluorosis (adverse effect) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Caries increment in permanent teeth: decayed, (missing) and filled tooth surfaces D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.21, 0.28] | 70 studies · 42300 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs No treatment Pain (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.10 [0.00, 2.15] | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride mouthrinse trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.23, 0.30] | 34 studies | Ungraded |
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Gold inlay Aesthetic satisfaction (colour match) · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane | Information on aesthetic satisfaction could not be obtained from this study as it did not use the tooth-coloured restorations as the control group. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.28 [0.19, 0.37] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.32 [0.19, 0.46] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.40 [0.31, 0.49] | 17 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Proportion of children developing one or more new caries · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.80, 1.04] | 7 studies · 2878 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride toothpaste trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.21, 0.28] | 70 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Quality of life · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | There were no data on psychosocial outcomes, costs or quality of life in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Adverse effects (tooth staining/discoloration, oral soft-tissue signs, adverse symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, enamel etching) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | Data on adverse effects (stain score, proportion of children with tooth staining, signs of sensitivity in oral soft tissue, adverse symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, etching of enamel) were reported in only a few… | NR | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.45 [0.32, 0.58] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.46 [0.30, 0.63] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Relief of globus · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 6.0 [0.72, 49.84] | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.41 [0.26, 0.55] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Gold inlay Postoperative sensitivity/pain · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth · 1 week Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane | Postoperative sensitivity was evaluated 1 week after placement. No teeth with ceramic inlays were found to have postoperative sensitivity, while one tooth with gold inlay presented sensitivity, which lasted more than 2… | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Acquiring extrinsic tooth staining (adverse effect; stannous fluoride toothpaste) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | RD 0.24 [0.19, 0.30] | 5 studies · 3948 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Caries increment in deciduous teeth: df-rate, new decayed or filled teeth per 100 primary teeth (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year, Deciduous dentition Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.37 | 1 study · 2008 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride mouthrinse trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.18, 0.30] | 13 studies | Ungraded |
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Gold inlay Failure rate (longevity) at 5 years · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth · 5 years Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane | OR 1.12 [0.08, 15.0] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo Headache (frequency) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.90 [0.13, 6.08] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Dental fluorosis · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs No treatment Headache (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 0.10 [0.00, 2.15] | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance Overall symptoms improvement · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | OR 3.12 [0.12, 80.39] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance Limitation of movement (range of mandibular movement) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane | Additional clinical outcomes reported included range of mandibular movement (Vallon 1991); no pooled effect estimate was reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.20, 0.28] | 72 studies | Ungraded |