Gap finder
Search review questions
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.
664 questions in 25 reviews · Endodontics and dental trauma
current versionsNo studies 111 · 16.7%Ungraded 417 · 62.8%Very low 69 · 10.4%Low 50 · 7.5%Moderate 16 · 2.4%High 1 · 0.2%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Cheung et al. 2005 maxillary anterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 30.2 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth of mixed/unspecified root maturation · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-2 years, Root maturation: mixed Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 1.11 [0.17, 7.11] | 3 studies · 257 participants | Very low |
Biodentine vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Tooth discoloration · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing DPC or pulpotomy · ≥6 months follow-up Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | Tooth discoloration was recorded in 4 trials; the 3 Biodentine-vs-MTA trials consistently showed more discoloration with MTA (Awawdeh 2018: 27/35 MTA vs 0/34 BD; Parinyaprom 2018: 11/31 MTA vs 0/29 BD; Uesrichai 2019:… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in immature permanent teeth · 1 to 2 years, Immature teeth Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.22 [0.13, 36.67] | 2 studies · 106 participants | Very low |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · >5-10 years, Follow-up >5-10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.88 [1.95, 6.45] | 1864 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.02 [3.70, 6.52] | 37 studies · 11615 participants | Low |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Treated by general practitioners Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.44 [2.16, 7.49] | 2113 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Single-unit restorations Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.46 [3.63, 7.64] | 20 studies · 5491 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restoration placement by undergraduate students vs None Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · General practitioners Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.44 [2.16, 7.49] | 2113 participants | Ungraded |
Eugenol-based temporary cement vs Eugenol-free temporary cement Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Eugenol-free Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.77 [3.72, 8.24] | 639 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations vs Follow-up duration Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · > 5–10 years, > 5–10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.53 [3.74, 7.64] | 2443 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing pulpotomy (partial or full) · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-2 years, Treatment performed: pulpotomy (FP/PP) Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.36 [0.47, 11.75] | 6 studies · 341 participants | Low |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Biodentine Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing DPC or pulpotomy · ≥6 months follow-up Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | CH vs Biodentine was investigated in 2 RCTs for the primary outcome; not pooled. Biodentine appeared to perform better than CH (and than Theracal) in the per-trial forest plots (Figure 8). Weak evidence. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Polyether impression material vs Polyvinyl siloxane impression material Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Polyether Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.02 [2.47, 5.92] | 2985 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth · 1 to 3 years, Unadjusted; all treatment modalities and root maturities Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.94 [1.93, 4.49] | 10 studies · 900 participants | Low |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in mature permanent teeth · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-3 years, Root maturation: mature Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 3.34 [1.81, 6.17] | 5 studies · 537 participants | Moderate |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · >10 years, Follow-up >10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.05 [0.89, 9.36] | 2656 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing direct pulp capping · 1 to 3 years, Direct pulp capping Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 3.10 [1.66, 5.79] | 4 studies · 559 participants | Moderate |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Zinc phosphate permanent cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.92 [3.85, 6.20] | 1387 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Polyether impression material Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.02 [2.47, 5.92] | 2985 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing DPC or pulpotomy (all treatment types and… · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-3 years, Unadjusted (all CH vs MTA studies) Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.94 [1.93, 4.49] | 10 studies · 900 participants | Low |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Ceramic fabrication material Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.59 [2.89, 9.12] | 460 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative bone level < 35% vs Pre-operative bone level ≥ 35% Periapical pathosis incidence · Vital teeth · Bone level ≥ 35% Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 0 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Continued root formation / root development · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth (predominantly immature) undergoing DPC or pulpotomy · ≥6 months follow-up Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | CH vs MTA was the only informative comparison for root development (3 RCTs); estimates had implausibly wide 95% CIs, all including no difference, and two trials gave contradictory results (Qudeimat 2007 favored CH, OR… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Polyether impression material vs Polyvinyl siloxane impression material Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Polyvinyl siloxane Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.17 [1.55, 5.34] | 636 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Fixed partial dentures (FPD) Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.59 [2.28, 7.64] | 9 studies · 2435 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth with mixed root development · 1 to 2 years, Mixed root development Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 1.11 [0.17, 7.11] | 3 studies · 257 participants | Very low |
Ceramic restoration material vs Porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration material Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Ceramic Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.59 [2.89, 9.12] | 460 participants | Ungraded |
Pulp-status assessment method Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Radiographic Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.95 [2.43, 8.29] | 5 studies · 1853 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations vs Follow-up duration Periapical pathosis incidence · Vital teeth · > 5–10 years, > 5–10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.88 [1.95, 6.45] | 1864 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc polycarboxylate permanent cement Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Zinc polycarboxylate Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 1.1 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.63 [2.05, 5.63] | 15 studies · 5376 participants | Low |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Subjective pulp-status assessment Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.91 [1.86, 6.66] | 3181 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Eugenol-free temporary cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.77 [3.72, 8.24] | 639 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Pulp necrosis · Compound impression material Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.27 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · ≤5 years, Follow-up ≤5 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 2.26 [0.59, 4.98] | 856 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Treated by undergraduate students Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.68 [3.17, 8.86] | 1604 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Single-unit restorations Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 2.20 [1.12, 3.61] | 6 studies · 2339 participants | Ungraded |
Biodentine vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing DPC or pulpotomy · ≥6 months follow-up Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | Biodentine vs MTA was the second most frequent comparison (5 RCTs) for the primary outcome but was not pooled owing to substantial clinical/statistical heterogeneity; the panel of per-trial forest plots (Figure 8)… | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Glass ionomer (GIC) permanent cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.33 [2.56, 9.03] | 182 participants | Ungraded |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Cheung et al. 2005 maxillary posterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 23.7 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in mature permanent teeth · 1 to 3 years, Mature teeth Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 3.34 [1.81, 6.17] | 5 studies · 537 participants | Moderate |
Pulp-status assessment method Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Objective Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.66 [3.71, 7.99] | 24 studies · 6581 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Objective pulp-status assessment Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.66 [3.71, 7.99] | 6581 participants | Ungraded |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Kontakiotis et al. 2015 mandibular anterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 11.8 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Fixed partial dentures (FPD) Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.01 [2.76, 7.88] | 15 studies · 4674 participants | Ungraded |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Kontakiotis et al. 2015 maxillary posterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 7.5 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations vs None Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · ≤ 5 years, ≤ 5 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.53 [2.10, 5.31] | 5532 participants | Low |
Selective caries removal with composite resin vs Complete caries removal with composite resin Restoration failure · Children with carious primary teeth after vital or non-vital pulp therapy · 2 to 3 years Clinical effectiveness of restorative materials for the restoration of carious lesions in pulp treated… (2022) | Relative probability of failure 3.44 | 1 study · 48 participants | Ungraded |
Single-visit root canal treatment vs Multiple-visit root canal treatment (two or more visits) Post-treatment pain within 1 week (from first session) · People aged 10 years or above requiring root canal treatment; permanent teeth with completely formed apex and without… · Within 1 week of treatment (from first session) Single versus multiple visits for endodontic treatment of permanent teeth (2022) · Cochrane | RR 1.55 [1.14, 2.09] | 5 studies · 638 participants | Moderate |