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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. Words match anywhere in the field.
793 questions in 32 reviews · Periodontology
current versionsNo studies 148 · 18.7%Ungraded 429 · 54.1%Very low 137 · 17.3%Low 53 · 6.7%Moderate 14 · 1.8%High 12 · 1.5%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Cefixime + SRP vs SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.02 [-0.11, 0.07] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | One trial (Akincibay 2008) did not report this outcome; Xajigeorgiou 2006 reported mild gastrointestinal discomfort in 2 subjects from the AMOX + MTZ + SRP group. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD 0.23 [-0.41, 0.87] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -8.06 [-14.26, -1.85] | 2 studies · 389 participants | Very low |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD 1.00 [0.30, 1.70] | 1 study · 27 participants | Very low |
Metronidazole + SRP vs Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-0.12, 0.32] | 3 studies · 84 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Moxifloxacin + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.80 [-1.12, -0.48] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Clarithromycin + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -3.00 [-6.69, 0.69] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Clindamycin + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Moxifloxacin + SRP vs SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.55 [-0.87, -0.23] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs SRP Percentage of closed pockets · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -10.05 [-18.78, -1.32] | 2 studies · 73 participants | Ungraded |
Illicit drug use vs People who do not use drugs Periodontal disease · People who use drugs (PWUD): methamphetamine, heroin, opiate, cannabis and cocaine users Dental caries and periodontal disease among people who use drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.44 [0.80, 2.60] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Amoxicillin + metronidazole + SRP vs Clarithromycin + SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD 5.40 [-0.12, 10.92] | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Clarithromycin + SRP vs SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.67 [-1.33, -0.01] | 2 studies · 77 participants | Ungraded |
Azithromycin + SRP vs SRP Clinical attachment level (CAL) · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.51 [-0.83, -0.19] | 6 studies · 216 participants | Ungraded |
Amoxicillin + clavulanate + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with chronic periodontitis · Intermediate-term (> 3 months to < 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.10 [-0.19, -0.01] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Doxycycline + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP Probing pocket depth · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.16 [-0.56, 0.24] | 2 studies · 49 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Short-term (≤ 3 months) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | MD -14.62 [-27.21, -2.03] | 1 study · 38 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP Antimicrobial resistance · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year) Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane | Included studies have not reported this outcome | NR | No studies |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.07 [-0.15, 0.01] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.08 [-0.46, 0.29] | 6 studies · 273 participants | Very low |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed periodontitis. | 0 studies | No studies |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.22 [-0.69, 0.24] | 6 studies · 256 participants | Very low |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Gingivitis measured by gingival index: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.53 [-0.83, -0.23] | 1 study · 62 participants | Very low |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed periodontitis. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.12, 0.00] | 1 study · 63 participants | Very low |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -1.07 [-1.51, -0.63] | 2 studies · 93 participants | Low |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 3 months Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-0.13, 0.07] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Periodontitis measured in one study but useable data not provided (Walsh 1989 reported proportion of sites with >4 mm pocket depth at 3 months but not mean PD; attachment loss measured but no data). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 3 months Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.25 [-0.37, -0.13] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.48 [-0.89, -0.06] | 4 studies · 380 participants | Very low |
Placebo rinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Lactobacillus count (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.34 [-0.50, 1.18] | 2 studies · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.08, -0.03] | 6 studies · 234 participants | Low |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-0.14, 0.08] | 2 studies · 158 participants | Very low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Lactobacillus count (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 1.54 [0.91, 2.17] | 2 studies · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.40 [-0.70, -0.11] | 3 studies · 183 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Did not refrain from mechanical plaque control The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.17 [-0.08, 0.42] | 11 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.08 [-0.33, 0.49] | 2 studies · 92 participants | Very low |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 3 months Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD 0.02 [-0.06, 0.10] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Duration of mouthwash use: >=3 weeks The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.24 [-0.11, 0.60] | 7 studies · 420 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Five studies assessed adverse events. One did not report findings, but the others reported either no adverse events or minor adverse events that did not significantly differ between interventions. | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | One study measured periodontitis but the data were not usable (Smith 1988 measured PPD but data unusable). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were assessed and reported in seven studies. Three reported no adverse events on the oral hard or soft tissues. Four reported sporadic adverse events with mild severity, with no evidence of a difference… | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month (4 to 6 weeks) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.47 [-0.84, -0.11] | 5 studies · 290 participants | Very low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.19 [0.01, 0.37] | 18 studies · 902 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.02 [-0.10, 0.06] | 1 study · 31 participants | Very low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.2% The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.12 [0.03, 0.21] | 12 studies · 566 participants | Ungraded |