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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.
92 questions in 11 reviews · intervention: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) · outcome domain: Lesion arrest/remineralization
current versionsNo studies 5 · 5.4%Ungraded 37 · 40.2%Very low 13 · 14.1%Low 6 · 6.5%Moderate 13 · 14.1%High 18 · 19.6%
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.
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| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.41 [1.2, 1.66] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.27 [1.16, 1.4] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.29 [1.21, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
12% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.94 [0.87, 1.02] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.47 [1.22, 1.76] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
12% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.91 [0.83, 0.99] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 5,000-ppm F (1.1% NaF) toothpaste or gel Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.72 [0.18, 2.95] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 30% or 38%) vs 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish Arrested dentine caries (arrested caries surfaces) · Preschool children with active dentine caries in primary teeth (mean age 3.4-4.0 years) · 18 months Silver diamine fluoride versus sodium fluoride for arresting dentine caries in children: a systematic review… (2019) | OR 2.51 [1.25, 5.10] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Fluoride varnish or placebo Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Prevented Fraction 55–96 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Placebo or no treatment Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | RR 2.54 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.36 [0.66, 8.42] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride vs Not applicable (single-arm safety outcome) Adverse events: black staining of arrested lesions · Children and older adults treated with SDF for carious lesions Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Eight systematic reviews reported adverse events; seven reported black staining of arrested carious lesions. Older adults rarely complained; discoloration was acceptable in children, concerning 7% of participants in… | NR | Ungraded |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.19 [1.1, 1.28] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.8 [0.25, 2.61] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Low |
30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.97 [0.8, 1.18] | 1 study · 309 participants | Moderate |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Placebo Root carious lesions arrest · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces) Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Prevented Fraction 100–725 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.72 [0.56, 0.91] | 1 study · 309 participants | Moderate |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.21 [1.13, 1.3] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.29 [1.21, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) vs 5,000-ppm F (1.1% NaF) toothpaste or gel Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.9 [0.22, 3.62] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
12% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.91 [0.84, 0.98] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 30% or 38%) vs 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish Arrested dentine caries (arrested caries surfaces) · Preschool children with active dentine caries in primary teeth (mean age 3.4-4.0 years) · 30 months Silver diamine fluoride versus sodium fluoride for arresting dentine caries in children: a systematic review… (2019) | OR 2.03 [1.51, 2.77] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Fluoride varnish or atraumatic restorative treatment Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | RR 1.66 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.45 [1.21, 1.73] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Placebo Root carious lesions arrest · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces) Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | One low risk of bias systematic review reported that 38% SDF was significantly more effective than placebo in arresting root carious lesions (pooled results were not calculated) [31]. | NR | Ungraded |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 38% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.15 [1.09, 1.23] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.3 [1.07, 1.57] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 38% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.2 [1.13, 1.27] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Fluoride varnish, glass ionomer cement, or placebo Coronal carious lesions arrest (arrest rate) · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Arrest rate 65–91 | 6 studies | Ungraded |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.48 [1.11, 1.97] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.34 [1.25, 1.43] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.08 [1.59, 2.71] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) vs 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.8 [0.05, 11.95] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.27 [1.18, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 38% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.13 [1.07, 1.2] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
12% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.85 [0.77, 0.93] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
Silver diamine fluoride twice annually vs Other network treatments Caries lesion arrestment · Primary teeth with dentin caries lesions on occlusal and smooth surfaces · Various follow-up times, Occlusal and smooth surfaces Scientific evidence for the management of dentin caries lesions in pediatric dentistry: A systematic review… (2018) | RANK 1 | 3 studies | Moderate |
38% SDF solution biannually vs 12% SDF solution biannually Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Primary teeth with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · 30 months Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2018) | RR 1.29 [1.21, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
Nano-silver fluoride vs Not specified Arrest of dentine caries · Children with active dentine caries Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment - a… (2016) | A randomised trial using nano-silver fluoride found it was effective to arrest dentine caries without causing dark staining. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Professionally applied 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Active dentine caries at baseline (single-arm before vs after proportion) Arrest of dentine caries (proportion of surfaces arrested) · Children with active dentine caries (primary and permanent teeth) Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment - a… (2016) | Proportion 0.659 [0.412, 0.907] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
30% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Not specified Arrest of dentine caries · Children with active dentine caries in primary teeth Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment - a… (2016) | 30% SDF was reported as an effective intervention to arrest dentine caries on primary teeth. | 1 study | Ungraded |
12% silver diamine fluoride (SDF), single (one-off) application vs Not specified Arrest of dentine caries · Children with active dentine caries Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment - a… (2016) | A one-off application of 12% SDF was found ineffective to arrest caries (Yee 2009). | 1 study | Ungraded |