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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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

91 questions in 5 reviews · cluster CL0081

current versions
No studies 0 · 0%Ungraded 89 · 97.8%Very low 2 · 2.2%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

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.

Intervention categories, outcome domains and clusters are a proposed key pending human validation. Clear all filters

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR, sROC AUC) similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=65%.…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); pooled DOR higher for LF (and FC) than for LFpen. Heterogeneity I2=77%. Numeric pooled values not available in the…NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.842 [0.756, 0.907]2 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by reference standard (LFpen, initial, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold, Other reference standard vs histological (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 4.41 [0.19, 103.92]NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.354 [0.324, 0.385]5 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.718 [0.683, 0.751]10 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 7); pooled DOR intermediate for LFpen among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=31%. Numeric pooled values not available…NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, approximal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 8); LFpen showed similar values at both thresholds. Heterogeneity I2=84%. Numeric pooled values not available in the…NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.864 [0.834, 0.890]5 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.779 [0.763, 0.794]27 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by reference standard (LF, initial, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold, Other reference standard vs histological (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 4.13 [1.24, 13.76]NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.777 [0.706, 0.838]2 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.719 [0.677, 0.757]5 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by setting (LFpen, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory vs clinical (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 0.35 [0.04, 2.99]NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.712 [0.690, 0.734]27 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by reference standard (LF, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Operative intervention vs histological (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 3.01 [1.26, 7.20]NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by reference standard (LF, initial, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold, Operative intervention vs histological (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 0.91 [0.37, 2.22]NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.779 [0.765, 0.794]37 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, approximal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 8); only LFpen had sufficient studies to pool; similar values at both thresholds. Heterogeneity I2=93%. Numeric pooled…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by setting (LF, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory vs clinical (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 0.28 [0.12, 0.66]NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.831 [0.723, 0.909]5 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.809 [0.791, 0.827]37 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, approximal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 8); only LFpen had sufficient studies to pool. Heterogeneity I2=84%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by setting (LF, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory using frozen teeth vs clinical (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 0.45 [0.12, 1.67]NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by setting (LFpen, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Laboratory using frozen teeth vs clinical (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 1.27 [0.18, 8.79]NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.672 [0.616, 0.725]13 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 7); accuracy similar among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=0%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with approximal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.795 [0.730, 0.850]5 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with approximal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.870 [0.843, 0.895]5 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Relative DOR by reference standard (LFpen, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold, Operative intervention vs histological (reference)
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
RDOR 0.96 [0.12, 7.77]NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 7); pooled DOR lowest for LF among the three methods. Heterogeneity I2=23%. Numeric pooled values not available in the…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.838 [0.810, 0.864]14 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, approximal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · More advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 8); LFpen showed higher pooled DOR at the more advanced threshold. Heterogeneity I2=89%. Numeric pooled values not…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.622 [0.592, 0.651]14 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.718 [0.637, 0.791]5 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
Initial caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with occlusal surfaces · Initial caries lesion threshold, LFpen, occlusal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.749 [0.715, 0.781]9 studiesUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen; DIAGNOdent pen) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); accuracy similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=54%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…NRUngraded
Pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Permanent teeth with approximal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LFpen, approximal, permanent teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Sensitivity 0.750 [0.641, 0.840]2 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF) vs Reference standard
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces · More advanced caries lesion threshold, LF, occlusal, primary teeth
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Specificity 0.816 [0.793, 0.837]13 studiesUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Primary teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial caries lesions threshold
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 7); accuracy similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=75%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…NRUngraded
Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard (histological examination, operative intervention, or other/visual examination)
Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) - not pooled · Permanent and primary teeth, smooth surfaces, with suspected caries lesions · Initial and more advanced caries lesions thresholds
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of… (2013)
Only two included studies assessed smooth surfaces (both used LF; one permanent, one primary); no meta-analysis was possible. Both reported specificity higher than sensitivity at both thresholds.2 studiesUngraded