Clinical studies in restorative dentistry: Design, conduct, analysis

When discussing evidence-based medicine or dentistry (EBM/EBD), one aspect which is frequently mentioned is the “pyramid of evidence” (Fig. 1), with randomized controlled (efficacy) trials and their syntheses (in the form of systematic reviews and meta-analyses) being the “strongest” type of evidence. That is, as in a randomized controlled trial, confounding bias is theoretically eliminated [1]. Confo unding bias is introduced by patients selected to receive one comparator being systematically different from those selected to receive another comparator [2].
Source: Dental Materials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research