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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.
37 questions in 5 reviews · cluster CL0166
current versionsNo studies 1 · 2.7%Ungraded 11 · 29.7%Very low 13 · 35.1%Low 3 · 8.1%Moderate 9 · 24.3%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
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Glass ionomer (modified glass ionomer varnish) vs Non-invasive measures (standard of care) Radiographic progression of proximal caries lesions · Children with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions in primary teeth (ages 5-8) · 1 year, Glass ionomer vs non-invasive (Fig. 5, subgroup 2.1.3) Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth-… (2025) | OR 0.58 [0.28, 1.20] | 1 study · 53 participants | Ungraded |
Microinvasive techniques (resin infiltration or glass ionomer varnish) vs Non-invasive measures (fluoride varnish/toothpaste, flossing, oral hygiene instruction, sham/standard of care) Radiographic progression of proximal caries lesions · Children with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions in primary teeth (ages 3-9) · Final follow-up (1 to 2 years across trials), Primary teeth (Fig. 6, subgroup 2.1.2) Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth-… (2025) | OR 0.38 [0.25, 0.57] | 5 studies · 266 participants | Ungraded |
Microinvasive techniques (resin infiltration, resin/GIC sealant, or glass ionomer varnish) vs Non-invasive measures (fluoride varnish/toothpaste, flossing, oral hygiene instruction, sham/standard of care) Radiographic progression of proximal caries lesions · Children and adults with non-cavitated proximal (interproximal) caries lesions in primary and/or permanent teeth (ages… · Final follow-up (1 to 7 years across trials), Overall (all microinvasive vs non-invasive pooled) Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth-… (2025) | OR 0.27 [0.19, 0.38] | 13 studies · 623 participants | Moderate |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACP Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.78 [-1.33, -0.24] | NR | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish (gold standard) Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.71 [-1.13, -0.29] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACP Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.07 [-0.44, 0.29] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs Control (placebo / no active therapy) Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.96 [-1.44, -0.48] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACFP Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD 0.18 [-0.29, 0.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACFP Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.54 [-1.15, 0.08] | NR | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs Self-assembling peptide P11-4 Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.40 [-0.97, 0.17] | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Control (placebo / no active therapy) Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.25 [-0.51, 0.02] | 12 studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant plus fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish alone Progression of dentinal carious lesions into enamel or dentine · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | The study (Splieth 2001) did not report progression of dentinal carious lesions into enamel or dentine. | 0 studies | No studies |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish 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 0.71 [0.11, 4.45] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish vs Resin infiltration Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.09 [0.32, 3.65] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish vs Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.5 [0.18, 1.37] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish 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 1.13 [0.1, 13.12] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish vs Sealant Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.95 [0.38, 2.41] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish vs Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.62 [0.46, 0.83] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 3.2 [2.24, 4.56] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
5% NaF varnish vs Sealant Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.99 [0.86, 1.15] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish vs Sealant Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.91 [0.48, 7.52] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish 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 2.96 [0.27, 32.26] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish 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 0.57 [0.04, 8.69] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.29 [0.74, 7.1] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish vs Sealant Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.61 [1.16, 2.24] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
5% NaF varnish vs Sealant + 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.59 [0.45, 0.76] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish 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 1.67 [0.44, 6.31] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 4.59 [1.01, 20.88] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
Sealant + 5% NaF varnish vs Sealant Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.69 [1.26, 2.27] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated facial/lingual carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on facial/lingual surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 9 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.3 [1.58, 3.34] | 1 study · 142 participants | Low |
5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.97 [1.63, 2.4] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary and permanent teeth) · 9-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.15 [1.8, 2.57] | 3 studies · 4672 participants | Moderate |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish vs 38% SDF 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 0.88 [0.14, 5.6] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish 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 0.64 [0.15, 2.7] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Sealant + 5% NaF varnish vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 3.35 [2.42, 4.64] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish vs Sealant + 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.95 [0.75, 1.21] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
6% sodium fluoride with 6% calcium fluoride varnish vs No treatment Reversal / remineralisation of early enamel caries · Children with early enamel caries (permanent dentition) Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment - a… (2016) | One study (Xhemnica 2008) reported a significant reversal of early enamel caries using 6% NaF with 6% calcium fluoride compared with no treatment; this study was excluded from the meta-analysis. | 1 study | Ungraded |