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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.
342 questions in 11 reviews · Pain control and patient management
current versionsNo studies 158 · 46.2%Ungraded 53 · 15.5%Very low 87 · 25.4%Low 30 · 8.8%Moderate 10 · 2.9%High 4 · 1.2%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band vs Sham (dummy) acupressure Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 2.70 [0.72, 10.14] | 1 study · 19 participants | Very low |
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb vs Sham (dummy) acupressure Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation Reduction in gagging (patient-reported – dichotomous) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.87, 1.37] | 1 study · 34 participants | Very low |
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band vs Sham (dummy) acupressure Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 1.80 [0.63, 5.16] | 1 study · 19 participants | Very low |
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.67, 1.17] | 1 study · 21 participants | Very low |
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.96 [0.84, 1.10] | 1 study · 39 participants | Very low |
Acupressure at P6 point with device vs Sham (dummy) acupressure Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | Presence or absence of gagging: none of the trials reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture Reduction in gagging (patient-reported – VAS) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | MD 0.86 [-1.13, 2.85] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome (Lu 2000 did not report adverse events). | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb vs Sham (dummy) acupressure Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.92 [0.60, 1.41] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
2% mepivacaine, 1:20,000 levonordefrin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.43 [-10.63, 19.48] | 2 studies · 458 participants | Very low |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Rectal midazolam vs A different sedative agent Behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | Any behavioural score - Rectal midazolam versus (other sedatives): 90 (1); VERY LOW | 1 study · 90 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
3% mepivacaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported; 100% success in all studies) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | '100% success' (lidocaine 1:100,000 vs 3% mepivacaine plain): infraorbital block - Berberich 2009 40/40 vs 40/40; IANB - Cohen 1993 27/27 vs 34/34, McLean 1993 30/30 vs 30/30. Both 100% successful. | 3 studies · 121 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: See comment (orphan study); 86 participants, 172 interventions (1 study). Not pooled/graded. | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -8.98 [-15.17, -2.79] | 5 studies · 162 participants | Very low |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.93 [0.75, 1.17] | 2 studies · 60 participants | Low |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia, absence of pain (clinical testing of diseased pulps with irreversible pulpitis) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · 10 minutes post-injection to end of clinical procedure Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.6 [1.1, 2.32] | 4 studies · 203 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Participants' experience of the procedures · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | No data from the included studies were available. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine plain vs 4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.58 [0.33, 1.01] | 2 studies · 134 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chloral hydrate vs Placebo (including no intervention) Good or better behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.33 [0.80, 2.22] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Intravenous midazolam vs A different sedative agent Behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | Any behavioural score - Intravenous midazolam versus (other sedatives): 70 (2); VERY LOW | 2 studies · 70 participants | Very low |
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported; 100% success in all studies) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | 'Other comparisons with 100% success': IANB - Allegretti 2016 22/22 vs 22/22; Visconti 2016 21/21 vs 21/21. Both formulations 100% successful; no meta-analysis (no difference). | 2 studies · 43 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -33.95 [-48.05, -19.84] | 3 studies · 698 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.23 [-0.45, -0.01] | 6 studies · 637 participants | Very low |
4% prilocaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.01 [-0.14, 0.11] | 2 studies · 421 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
2% lidocaine, 1:50,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.99 [0.88, 1.12] | 7 studies · 210 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 10.33 [-22.08, 42.74] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Very low |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.02 [-0.10, 0.14] | 2 studies · 406 participants | Low |
4% articaine plain vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.13 [-0.54, 0.80] | 2 studies · 100 participants | Very low |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.07 [0.73, 1.59] | 2 studies · 68 participants | Very low |
4% articaine plain vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.61 [0.38, 0.97] | 2 studies · 134 participants | Very low |
Hydroxyzine vs Different dosage/timing of hydroxyzine Behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | Any behavioural score - Hydroxyzine: 30 (1 study); VERY LOW. Insufficient evidence to determine whether any specific dose of hydroxyzine is effective. | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: See comment (orphan study; unclear whether data relate to just solution deposition; SDs not reported); 18 participants, 36 interventions (1 study). Not pooled/graded. | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Meperidine (intramuscular) vs Placebo (including no intervention) Good or better behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | RR 5.33 [1.45, 19.64] | 1 study · 60 participants | Low |
2% lidocaine, 1:50,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported; 100% success in all studies) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | '100% success' (lidocaine 1:100,000 vs 1:50,000): infraorbital block - Berberich 2009 40/40 vs 40/40; mandibular BI - Dagher 1997 30/30, Yonchak 2001 40/40; IANB - Yared 1997 30/30, Wali 2010 30/30. Both 100% successful. | 5 studies · 170 participants | Ungraded |
Midazolam/ketamine vs Placebo (including no intervention) Behaviour · Children and adolescents (0 to 16 years) needing dental treatment Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment (2018) · Cochrane | Moreira 2013: 0.5 mg/kg midazolam + 3 mg/kg ketamine produced significantly better behaviour than placebo and oral midazolam (P=0.03); not included in meta-analysis / not GRADE-rated. Narrative. | 1 study | Ungraded |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |