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.
866 questions in 43 reviews · Oral and maxillofacial surgery
current versionsNo studies 188 · 21.7%Ungraded 548 · 63.3%Very low 81 · 9.4%Low 37 · 4.3%Moderate 8 · 0.9%High 4 · 0.5%
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 No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint) Recurrence rate · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 1 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. Recurrence rate was not reported in any included study across the whole review. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management) Severity of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy) Muscle pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (mean 4.4 weeks), Myofascial pain TMD Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.19 [-1.25, 0.87] | 1 study · 72 participants | Very low |
Extraction of the mandibular permanent first molar vs None (single-group prevalence) Rotation of the mandibular second permanent molar · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | Prevalence 76.9 [15.5, 98.4] | 2 studies · 108 participants | Ungraded |
Second molar at Demirjian stage E at extraction vs Second molar at Demirjian stage F-H at extraction Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | OR 3.81 [1.85, 7.83] | 3 studies · 94 participants | Low |
Occlusal splint vs Acupuncture Severity of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 5 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dental crowding present vs Dental spacing present Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents (<18 years) after extraction of a permanent first molar before eruption of the permanent… · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Overall Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | OR 5.9 [1.3, 27.7] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Acupuncture Frequency of joint noise · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 5 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy) Discomfort · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 3 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint) Self-reported joint pain when chewing · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (10 weeks), Mixed TMD Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | RR 1.88 [0.94, 3.75] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Spontaneous space closure · Maxilla: M2 Demirjian E-F vs G-H Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | OR 8.0 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action Participant satisfaction or quality of life · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (3 months), Mixed TMD Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -2.29 [-3.13, -1.45] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Extraction of the permanent first molar vs None (single-group prevalence) Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents (<18 years) after extraction of a permanent first molar before eruption of the permanent… · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Overall (both jaws) Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | Prevalence 61.6 [50.2, 71.9] | 13 studies · 1787 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy) Somatisation · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term, Disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.18 [-0.45, 0.09] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Cleft lip and palate vs No cleft lip and palate Streptococcus mutans mean levels/counts · Children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate Characterization of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the oral microbiota with the dental and… (2024) | SMD 1.78 [1.36, 2.19] | 2 studies · 175 participants | Ungraded |
Extraction of the mandibular permanent first molar vs None (single-group prevalence) Rotation of the mandibular first premolar · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | Prevalence 37.8 [0.7, 98.2] | 2 studies · 109 participants | Ungraded |
M2 Demirjian stages A-D vs M2 Demirjian stages F-H Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents with maxillary permanent first molar extraction · Follow-up to complete eruption of the permanent second molar, Maxilla Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024) | OR >100.00 [0.02, >100.00] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) status and its oral microbiota (exposure/grouping) vs Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years without CLP (controls) Periodontal/gingival clinical status (gingival index, biofilm index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, attachment loss) · Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) Characterization of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the oral microbiota with the dental and… (2024) | Six studies (Ahluwalia, Rawashdeh, Funahashi, Perdikogianni, Quirynen, Costa) reported that patients with CLP had higher gingival index and biofilm/plaque index, deeper probing depth, more bleeding on probing and… | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management) Discomfort · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action Discomfort · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 2 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management) Participant satisfaction or quality of life · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (1 month), Mixed TMD Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -1.42 [-15.78, 12.94] | 2 studies · 73 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs No treatment or placebo (non-occlusal or transparent-foil placebo splint) Muscle pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (mean 2 months), Myofascial pain TMD Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -11.63 [-29.37, 6.11] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy) Range of mandibular motion · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) · Short term (3 months), Disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.33 [-3.31, 2.65] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action Muscle pain at rest · People with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (2024) · Cochrane | Listed in Summary of findings 2 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation) Limitation of chewing or swallowing · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management) Quality of life · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | This outcome was not measured (not synthesised for this comparison; review-wide only one study reported quality of life). | NR | No studies |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management) Pain intensity at treatment completion · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | SMD 0.03 [-0.21, 0.28] | 5 studies · 509 participants | Low |
Chlorhexidine gel (0.2%, intrasocket) vs Placebo or no treatment Adverse events · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | No adverse events were reported. Six trials (673 participants) reported no adverse events from the use of chlorhexidine gel; one study (Rubio-Palau 2015) reported gastrointestinal discomfort (30, 18%), dizziness (10,… | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Neocone vs Alvogyl Time to initial pain relief (minutes) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Initial pain relief Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | MD 9.87 [9.12, 10.63] | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Tranexamic acid (AMCA cones) vs Placebo (lactose cones) Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.30, 1.48] | 1 study · 120 participants | Ungraded |
Primary closure of the extraction socket with a mucoperiosteal flap vs Application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) without primary closure Incidence of MRONJ · People on antiresorptive treatment undergoing tooth extraction (at risk of MRONJ) · 90 days Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane | All participants had complete mucosal coverage without any signs of MRONJ at the final control examination 90 days postoperatively (77 randomised; 1 RCT); no case of postoperative MRONJ in either group; effect not… | 1 study · 77 participants | Ungraded |
Relaxation vs Occlusal (oral) appliance Pain intensity · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion, Adolescents (12-19 years) Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | Not pooled. Wahlund 2015: MD 3.70 (95% CI -1.21 to 8.61), n=57 (relaxation 28, appliance 29); Wahlund 2003: MD not reported, n=83 (relaxation 41, appliance 42). Both studies were in adolescents; the occlusal appliance… | 2 studies · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Clindamycin phosphate antibiotic solution patch vs Saline patch Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | OR (exact) 0 [0, 0.69] | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Apernyl (acetylsalicylic acid pellet) vs Placebo Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.25 [0.03, 2.16] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Advanced platelet rich fibrin (A-PRF) vs Control (no treatment) Pain (VAS cm) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Days 1-7 (day 7 shown) Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | MD -3.60 [-4.00, -3.20] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine gel (0.2%, intrasocket) vs Chlorhexidine rinse (0.12%) Adverse events · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | No adverse events were reported in these two trials (Abu-Mostafa 2015; Hita-Iglesias 2008). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation) Swelling · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
SaliCept (acemannan hydrogel) vs No treatment Pain (VAS) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | SaliCept (acemannan hydrogel) versus No treatment (Kaya 2011): data not usable (medians presented with error bars). Text reports differences in clinical signs and symptoms between control and all 3 treatment groups… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation) Fever · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management) Psychological distress at follow-up · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Follow-up Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | SMD -0.32 [-0.51, -0.13] | 6 studies · 516 participants | Low |
Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) vs No cleft lip and/or palate (non-CL/P) Caries experience in the primary dentition (dmft/dmfs/dfs/deft/ds; pooled as standardized mean difference) · Children in the primary dentition with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and comparable children without CL/P · Primary and mixed dentition Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022) | SMD 0.09 [-0.59, 0.76] | 5 studies · 708 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control) Adverse events · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | Only 1 study reported adverse events as an outcome (Litt 2010): it found worsening symptoms in 13 people treated with an oral splint (as part of standard treatment) and 4 people treated with CBT. | 1 study · 101 participants | Very low |
Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) vs Alvogyl Exposed bone (present versus absent) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Day 7 (also day 3) Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | PRGF versus Alvogyl (King 2018), exposed bone (% patients): day 3 PRGF 9.1% vs Alvogyl 9.1%; day 7 PRGF 0% vs Alvogyl 22.7% (P<0.05 at day 7) | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Alvogyl vs SaliCept (acemannan hydrogel) Pain (VAS) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | Alvogyl versus SaliCept (acemannan hydrogel) (Kaya 2011): data not usable (medians presented with error bars). Text reports differences in clinical signs and symptoms between control and all 3 treatment groups… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Dental extraction protocol with plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) inserted into the postextraction alveolus vs Standard dental extraction protocol without PRGF Rate of complications and side effects of the intervention · People with cancer treated with intravenous bisphosphonates undergoing dental extractions (at risk of MRONJ) · 24 to 60 months Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane | No intraoperative complications were observed in either of the groups. | 1 study · 176 participants | Ungraded |
Neocone vs Alvogyl Time to complete resolution of pain (days) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Complete resolution of pain Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | MD -1.62 [-1.86, -1.38] | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Alvogyl vs Zinc oxide eugenol Time to complete resolution of pain (days) · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction · Complete resolution of pain Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | MD -2.17 [-2.37, -1.97] | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Teriparatide 20 microg daily in addition to standard care vs Placebo in addition to standard care Healing of MRONJ (resolution of lesions) · People with established (manifest) MRONJ · 52 weeks Interventions for managing medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.96 [0.31, 2.95] | 1 study · 33 participants | Low |
P-hydroxybenzoic acid vs Placebo Presence of dry socket · Adults (>18 years) having permanent tooth extraction (predominantly mandibular third molars) · Follow-up: median 7 days Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.08 [0.00, 1.37] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Hope-based intervention vs Pain education Pain intensity · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer · Treatment completion Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-13.52, 13.72] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |