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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

271 questions in 11 reviews · Temporomandibular disorders and sleep

current versions
No studies 70 · 25.8%Ungraded 160 · 59%Very low 29 · 10.7%Low 12 · 4.4%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Adverse reactions · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 1 year
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
Only Goudot 2000 reported adverse reactions. Arthroscopy group: one transient frontal palsy (during 3 months); one cervico-facial oedema requiring prolonged intubation (12 hours). Arthrocentesis group: two severe…1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Overall success (compound score combining pain and MIO) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 6 to 24 months
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
RR 0.92 [0.56, 1.49]1 study · 19 participantsUngraded
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Temporomandibular joint tenderness · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without…
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported temporomandibular joint tenderness.0 studiesNo studies
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Quality of life · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without…
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
No data about quality of life were reported by the included trials.0 studiesNo studies
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Deviation of the mandible · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without…
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported deviation of the mandible.0 studiesNo studies
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Pain (VAS) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 24 months
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
MD -1.00 [-2.12, 0.12]1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Muscular tenderness · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without…
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported muscular tenderness.0 studiesNo studies
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Maximum bite force · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without…
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
To date, no randomised controlled trial in this area reported maximum bite force.0 studiesNo studies
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Maximum incisal (mouth) opening (MIO) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 6 to 24 months (Fridrich); 12 months (Goudot)
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
MD -5.28 [-7.10, -3.46]2 studies · 81 participantsUngraded
Arthrocentesis and lavage vs Arthroscopy
Improvement in pain (proportion of participants improved/healed) · Adults with temporomandibular joint disorders (internal derangement; anterior disc displacement with or without… · 1 year
Arthrocentesis and lavage for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (2009) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.87, 1.38]1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Total sleep time (min) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD -8.60 [-96.17, 78.97]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Sleep efficiency (%) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD -2.40 [-8.36, 3.56]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device
Pain during the night (adverse effect) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device (Landry 2006): pain during the night occurred with the MAD max and MAD min configurations (8/13).1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological interventions (benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, beta blockers, dopamine agents, antidepressants, botulinum toxin A and B, analgesics)
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Pharmacological interventions remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with any drug; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device
Oral dryness (adverse effect) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device (Landry 2006): oral dryness occurred with the MAD min configuration (7/13).1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus TENS, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable.1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Behaviour therapy (sleep hygiene, relaxation, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback)
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Behaviour therapy remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with behaviour therapy; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device
Comfort (visual analogue scale) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Landry 2006): occlusal splint 79 mm, MAD free 41 mm, MAD min 15 mm, MAD max 12 mm; the occlusal splint was rated most comfortable.1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Awakenings per hour · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 0.40 [-2.51, 3.31]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Clicks in TMJ on oral opening and closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.60 [0.19, 1.92]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs No treatment
Increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · children (age 3 to 5 years)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Arousal index · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 1.22 [-3.61, 6.05]2 studies · 39 participantsUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Clicks in TMJ on oral opening or closing · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 1.00 [0.33, 3.02]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Placebo
Outcome NR · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Placebo remained a planned comparator in the review methods (Types of interventions), but none of the five included trials compared occlusal splint with placebo; no eligible study.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Episodes with grinding noise · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 0.90 [-10.19, 11.99]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device
Sleep bruxism episodes per hour of sleep · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · MAD in 75% advancement (MAD max)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 5.91 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs No treatment
Increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis… · 6 months of follow up, children (age 3 to 5 years)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15]1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Headaches · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus TENS, headaches (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable (Risk Ratio, M-H, Fixed, 95% CI; subtotals only).1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device
Preference (device preferred by participants) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, preference (Landry 2006): 12 of 13 participants preferred the occlusal splint over the mandibular advancement device (MAD free); a higher proportion of benefitted…1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Comfort (visual analogue scale) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus palatal splint, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Dube 2004): occlusal splint 79.3 (SD 4.7) mm versus palatal splint 77.8 (8.1) mm; both rated as equally comfortable. No participant reported dry…1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Preference (device preferred by participants) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
Occlusal splint versus palatal splint, preference (Dube 2004): all participants preferred the palatal splint rather than the occlusal splint; 71% felt the occlusal splint offered greater protection for their teeth. At…1 studyUngraded
Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint
Number of bruxism episodes per hour of sleep (Epi/h) · People with sleep bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching); children (greater than 1 year old) and adults; diagnosis…
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) (2007) · Cochrane
MD 0.54 [-10.95, 12.93]1 studyUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Minimal/no treatment
Pain (severity/palpation; PSS, PPI, VAS) · 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 -3.20 [-4.81, -1.59]4 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises
TMJ clicking · 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): TMJ clicking at 3 months and greater than 3 months; no statistically significant between-group difference. Forest-plot data presented, totals not pooled.1 studyUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Visual feedback
Movement (lateral mandibular 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
SS vs visual feedback (Monteiro 1988): both SS and visual feedback groups showed a significant decrease in lateral mandibular movement scores (P<0.01); data were unavailable for analysis.1 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studiesUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studiesUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studiesUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studiesUngraded
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 studyUngraded