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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)

664 questions in 25 reviews · Endodontics and dental trauma

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Tempophore vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.21 [0.14, 75.68]1 study · 56 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · up to 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Tuna 2008); not estimable (direct pulp capping)1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Electrosurgery vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 9 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.00 [0.13, 71.22]1 study · 70 participantsUngraded
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs ZOE + calcium hydroxide + iodoform (MPRCF, unnamed product)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 42.63 [2.65, 685.54]1 study · 109 participantsUngraded
Ferric sulphate (FS) + mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · mean 22 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, adjacent tissue inflammation, radiolucency, root resorption, pulp canal obliteration (Doyle 2010); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; no significant differences1 study · 135 participantsUngraded
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 4.75 [1.21, 18.55]4 studies · 161 participantsLow
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · up to 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No radiological failure in any participant; not estimable1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.50 [0.15, 1.64]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Overall failure
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2018)
no estimate extracted2 studiesUngraded
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) vs 3Mixtatin
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No radiological failure in any participant; not estimable1 study · 160 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.81]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.11 [1.61, 6.02]1 study · 120 participantsLow
Formocresol (FC) pulpotomy vs Calcium hydroxide pulpectomy
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Coser 2008 randomised 51 teeth; no data provided for any outcome0 studiesNo studies
Electrosurgery vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [0.38, 4.12]2 studies · 50 participantsLow
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [0.37, 4.27]2 studies · 100 participantsVery low
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.11 [0.01, 1.94]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Acetone-based total-etch adhesive
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 and 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.00 [0.13, 69.52]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Biodentine vs Formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (El Meligy 2016); not estimable1 study · 112 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.10 [0.01, 0.72]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.15, 3.33]2 studies · 62 participantsModerate
Diode laser vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 2.00 [0.75, 5.33]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.62 [0.11, 3.56]1 study · 91 participantsUngraded
Propolis vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.00 [0.13, 70.30]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Ferric sulphate (FS)/zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpotomy vs Sedanol (ZOE) pulpectomy
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.60 [0.25, 1.46]1 study · 291 participantsUngraded
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 9.00 [0.52, 156.92]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Electrofulguration + calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Electrofulguration + zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.83 [0.26, 2.73]1 study · 47 participantsUngraded
Erbium:YAG laser vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.31 [0.11, 0.90]1 study · 91 participantsUngraded
Calcium hydroxide + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.88]1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 6.56 [2.58, 16.67]4 studies · 161 participantsLow
Biodentine vs Diode laser
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, radiolucency, root resorption, premature tooth loss (Niranjani 2015); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; RR 2.00 (0.20 to 20.33)1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Calcium hydroxide/iodoform (CH/iodoform) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.13 [0.82, 1.54]1 study · 65 participantsUngraded
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs RC Fill (ZOE with iodoform)
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Assessed pain, radiolucency, root resorption, filling material anomaly (Ramar 2010); no significant differences1 study · 64 participantsUngraded
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6, 12 and 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.00 [0.13, 69.52]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6, 12 and 18 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Malekafzali 2011); not estimable1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Biodentine vs Tempophore
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.07, 16.36]1 study · 56 participantsUngraded
Total-etching 36% phosphoric acid + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Non-rinse conditioner + acetone-based total-etch adhesive
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 and 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.00 [0.13, 69.52]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Erbium:YAG laser vs Ferric sulphate (FS)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 5.31 [0.26, 107.86]1 study · 97 participantsUngraded
Ferric sulphate/MTA pulpotomy vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpectomy
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 18 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.29, 2.39]1 study · 172 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No clinical failure in any participant (Akcay 2014); not estimable1 study · 62 participantsUngraded
ProRoot MTA vs OrthoMTA
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.98]1 study · 94 participantsUngraded
Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.00 [0.16, 6.20]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
1:5 diluted formocresol (FC) vs 1:25 diluted formocresol (FC)
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No event in any participant (Goyal 2014); not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Full strength formocresol (FC) vs 1:25 diluted formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No event in any participant; not estimable1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Buffered glutaraldehyde
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, radiolucency, root resorption, pulp canal obliteration (Goyal 2016); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; pain, mobility, radiolucency, root resorption significantly favour MTA1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Diode laser
Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, radiolucency, root resorption, premature tooth loss (Niranjani 2015); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; no significant differences (RR 0.33, 0.01 to 7.72)1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) pulpotomy vs 3Mix pulpectomy
Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 5.00 [0.25, 99.95]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) vs ZOE + calcium hydroxide + iodoform (unnamed product)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
Radiological failure favouring ZOE+CH+iodoform product1 study · 109 participantsUngraded
Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
No radiological failure in any participant at 6 months; not estimable1 study · 42 participantsVery low
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Formocresol (FC)
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.33 [0.73, 2.42]6 studies · 394 participantsLow
ProRoot MTA vs RetroMTA
Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.35 [0.04, 3.22]1 study · 96 participantsUngraded