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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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first. Each row links to its question's own page, which gathers every review that asked it, however worded; see the questions asked by more than one review.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Sensitivity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Sensitivity analysis: excluding high/unclear risk of bias reference standard Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.51 [0.45, 0.57] | NR | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces · in vivo Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.65 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Plasma level of hs-CRP (mg/L) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension · Short term, People diagnosed with periodontitis Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane | MD -0.37 [-1.40, 0.65] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Fluorosis prevalence · School children in Dubai governmental schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 10.9 | 1 study · 779 participants | Ungraded |
Mean plaque score · Children aged 5-6 years in Ajman schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Adjusted difference -0.09 [-0.17, -0.00] | 1 study · 1036 participants | Ungraded |
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Short term (0 to 24 hours) Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane | MD -1.95 [-3.14, -0.76] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (caries detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · In vitro (laboratory; extracted teeth); permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, Caries detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.84 | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Oral health status (caries, oral hygiene, treatment indices) · Preschool children of incarcerated mothers in UAE prison nurseries · UAE prison nurseries Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Al Salami et al. reported caries prevalence of 89.8% (mean dmft 4.97) among preschool children of incarcerated mothers, similar to their counterparts, but worse oral hygiene, higher debris/plaque (93.8% vs 81.8%) and… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Costs: treatment/operation time · Dental patients undergoing direct or indirect restorative treatment (no age or gender restriction) · NCCL composite (Loguercio); fissure sealing (Ammann, narrative) Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients (2021) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-2.26, 1.46] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Any other adverse effects, such as gingival disease and demineralisation · Young people aged 9 to 14 years diagnosed with one or both palatally displaced permanent maxillary canines (PDC) Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for… (2021) · Cochrane | Only root resorption was assessed; other adverse effects (gingival disease, demineralisation) were not reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Mean DMFT · Children aged 5-6 years in Ajman schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | ARR 1.25 [1.00, 1.57] | 1 study · 1036 participants | Ungraded |
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events (morbidity and mortality) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Community-based and clinical cohorts worldwide (all continents); events ascertained from medical records, death certificates/registers, or self-report, Adjusted for age/sex Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 1.49 [1.39, 1.58] | 4 studies · 44937 participants | Ungraded |
Amount of tooth movement / reduction in crowding at 12 weeks · Children or adolescents (aged 16 years old or under) receiving orthodontic treatment to prevent or correct crowded teeth · 12 weeks Orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth in children (2021) · Cochrane | MD 6.77 [5.55, 7.99] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Patients with non-cavitated proximal (approximal) caries lesions (primary or permanent dentition) · Longest available follow-up Infiltration and sealing for managing non-cavitated proximal lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 0.23 [0.18, 0.30] | 17 studies · 830 participants | Moderate |
Sensitivity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Digital Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.69 [0.57, 0.80] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Calculus index · Children with cerebral palsy in Dubai · Children with cerebral palsy Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | MEAN 0.56 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Dental caries prevalence · Children with Down syndrome in Dubai · Children with Down syndrome Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 57.6 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · In vitro (laboratory; extracted teeth); permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.85 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Initiation of white spot lesions (WSL), visual-tactile assessment · Patients of any age (11-40 years) receiving comprehensive/fixed orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances · 3-27 months follow-up, Patients undergoing fixed (multibracket) orthodontic appliance treatment; clinical/dental setting; analysis at tooth level, Sealant without fluoride release Efficacy of sealants and bonding materials during fixed orthodontic treatment to prevent enamel… (2021) | RR 0.69 [0.49, 0.97] | 3 studies · 847 participants | Ungraded |
Canine expansion · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or… · 12 months after start of treatment Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane | U-bow activator 3.6 mm vs untreated 1 mm; P<0.001 (no SD reported); significant in favour of treatment | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Case-control studies of children and adults (China, India, Czech Republic, Turkey), Ethnicity: Caucasian Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 1.05 [0.65, 1.71] | 2 studies · 538 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Sensitivity analysis (leave-one-out maximum) Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | Prevalence 0.466 [0.391, 0.541] | 43 studies | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces · in vivo Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.98 [0.79, 0.998] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Canine expansion (inter-canine distance) · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or… · Children (7 to 11 years) Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane | MD 0.59 [0.09, 1.08] | 3 studies · 151 participants | Low |
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces · in vitro Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.78 [0.68, 0.85] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Patients with permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces assessed clinically (in vivo) · In vivo (clinical); permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 1.84 [0.03, 103.47] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events (morbidity and mortality) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Community-based and clinical cohorts worldwide (all continents); events ascertained from medical records, death certificates/registers, or self-report, Crude Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 1.01 [0.99, 1.03] | 1 study · 1385 participants | Ungraded |
Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Case-control studies of children and adults (China, India, Czech Republic, Turkey), Dentition: Deciduous tooth decay Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 1.39 [0.91, 2.15] | 2 studies · 929 participants | Ungraded |
Specificity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Occlusal surfaces (non-CBCT) Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.88 [0.80, 0.93] | NR | Ungraded |
Molar expansion · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or… · 12 weeks after start of treatment Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane | MD -0.55 [-1.34, 0.24] | 1 study · 55 participants | Ungraded |
Adverse events (participants with adverse events or withdrawals due to adverse events) · Adults (any age/sex) with chronic periodontitis (>=5 teeth remaining; PPD >4 mm), with or without hypertension Effect of periodontal treatments on blood pressure (2021) · Cochrane | SoF 1 (Adverse effects): Only 1 study reported that 1 participant in the treatment group experienced a myocardial infarction during the study period. 1 study reported no adverse effects. The remaining 2 studies did not… | 2 studies · 294 participants | Low |
Length of treatment · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or… · Children (7 to 11 years) Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane | MD -3.15 [-4.04, -2.25] | 3 studies · 148 participants | Moderate |
Success rate at 1 year · Patients needing retrograde filling in root canal therapy (orthograde root canal filling or retreatment not possible;… · 1 year Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.97, 1.22] | 2 studies | Very low |
Specificity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.84 [0.73, 0.91] | 16 studies | Ungraded |
Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Case-control studies of children and adults (China, India, Czech Republic, Turkey), Dentition: Permanent tooth caries Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 0.29 [0.16, 0.53] | 3 studies · 1271 participants | Ungraded |
Pocket/probing depth (PD) · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 6 to 12 weeks, Adults Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | MD -0.42 [-0.71, -0.12] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Very low |
Detection rate of oral pre-malignant and malignant lesions after referral (COE+vital rinsing vs COE alone) · OSCC or OPMD symptom-free individuals with tobacco habits Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane | Rate ratio 1.05 [0.74, 1.41] | 1 study · 7975 participants | Moderate |
Stability of crossbite correction (relapse) · Children and adults with a posterior crossbite, without a Class III skeletal relationship, cleft lip or palate (or… · 12 months after correction Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites (2021) · Cochrane | Relapse occurred in 9.1% of both quad-helix and expansion plate groups after one year of follow-up (Godoy 2011) | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Specificity · Adults (aged 16 years or over) presenting to primary or secondary care with clinically evident suspicious or innocuous… Diagnostic tests for oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders in patients presenting with clinically… (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.71 [0.53, 0.84] | 9 studies | Very low |
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the 1/3 dentin caries detection level (Ekstrand; D0-2 versus D3-4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces · in vivo Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 10.18 [3.94, 26.29] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
White spot lesions (WSLs), patient level · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment · 9 months, Adolescents Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | RR 0.33 [0.10, 1.04] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Changes in intensity of pain (VAS 0 to 10) tested through air blast stimuli · Patients aged above 12 years with self-reported tooth hypersensitivity confirmed on clinical evaluation · Long term (more than 2 months) Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (2021) · Cochrane | MD 0.81 [-0.78, 2.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Gingivitis / gingival health · Children and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (Sharjah) · Sharjah, UAE; pediatric dentistry teaching clinic and schools Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Gopinath et al. reported high gingival and plaque scores among 3-12-year-olds at a Sharjah teaching clinic; increasing dmft/DMFT corresponded to higher plaque and gingival scores, and females and children >6 years were… | NR | Ungraded |
Dentist satisfaction (masking effect) · Patients with dental fluorosis Efficacy of resin infiltration to mask post-orthodontic or non-post-orthodontic white spot lesions or… (2021) | MD 3.97 [3.33, 4.61] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Dental caries (DMF-t/DMF-s and related caries indices) · Patients with IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and controls without IBD · Hospital/clinic-based case-control and cross-sectional studies in 11 countries; 15 studies total (1748 participants: 1104 Crohn's disease, 534 ulcerative colitis, 110 IBD-form unspecified) Oral Health Status in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review. (2021) | Not meta-analyzed (heterogeneity of caries indices). Abstract: "in most studies, patients with IBD were characterized by higher values of caries indices." Table 3 examples (IBD/subtype vs control): Zhang 2020 DMF-t… | NR | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces · in vitro Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 15.57 [0.47, 515.27] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Patients with permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces assessed clinically (in vivo) · In vivo (clinical); permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.35 [0.19, 0.51] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · In vitro (laboratory; extracted teeth); permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces, Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.81 | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Overall survival, adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation alone following surgery · People receiving curative-intent treatment for oral cavity and oropharyngeal (squamous cell) cancer Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy (2021) · Cochrane | HR 0.95 [0.73, 1.22] | 5 studies · 353 participants | Moderate |
Specificity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Sensitivity analysis: excluding high/unclear risk of bias reference standard Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.87 [0.83, 0.90] | NR | Ungraded |