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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.
39 questions in 6 reviews · cluster CL0236
current versionsNo studies 10 · 25.6%Ungraded 15 · 38.5%Very low 9 · 23.1%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 5 · 12.8%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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Sealing using sealant materials vs Selective carious tissue removal (selective excavation, SE) Failure of therapy · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… · 18-24 months, Cavitated lesions, primary dentition Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | OR 3.11 [0.11, 85.52] | 2 studies · 82 participants | Very low |
Any of the interventions (CR, SE, SW, sealing with sealant materials, Hall Technique, or NRCC) vs Each other, placebo, or no treatment Subjective evaluation of the treatments by participants · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | We found no studies reporting subjective evaluation of the treatments by participants. | 0 studies | No studies |
Sealing using sealant materials vs Non-selective carious tissue removal and conventional restoration (CR) Failure of therapy · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… · 48 months, Cavitated lesions, permanent dentition Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | OR 5.0 [0.51, 49.27] | 1 study · 41 participants | Very low |
Sealing using sealant materials vs No treatment Failure of therapy · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… · 12 months, Non-cavitated lesions, permanent dentition Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | OR 0.05 [0.0, 2.71] | 2 studies · 103 participants | Very low |
Fibrin sealant vs Conventional suturing Trismus / maximum mouth opening (mean) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 7 days, fibrin sealant vs conventional Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | MD 3.50 [2.69, 4.31] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Time taken to apply pit and fissure sealant or fluoride varnish · 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 | None of the studies measured time taken to apply pit and fissure sealant or fluoride varnish (resin sealant versus fluoride varnish comparison). | 0 studies | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Permanent altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · >6 months Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Postoperative pain · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 24 hours Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Alveolar osteitis · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Wound infection · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Horizontal mattress / fibrin sealant suturing vs Conventional (simple interrupted) suturing Swelling · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 7 days Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Resin-based fissure sealant (visible-light-polymerized) vs Fluoride varnish Incidence of dentinal carious lesion on treated occlusal surfaces of molars or premolars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 9 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.48 [0.29, 0.79] | 1 study · 75 participants | Very low |
Resin-modified glass ionomer fissure sealant plus oral health education vs Fluoride varnish plus oral health education Change in DMF increment on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 24 months, low caries risk Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | MD 0.07 [-0.03, 0.17] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resin-modified glass ionomer fissure sealant plus oral health education vs Fluoride varnish plus oral health education Change in DMF increment on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 24 months, high caries risk Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | MD 0.23 [0.02, 0.44] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Number of visits to the dentist for repair of sealant or fluoride varnish application · 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 | MD 5.02 [4.55, 5.94] | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Glass ionomer or resin-modified glass ionomer fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Dentine caries in permanent molars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 1, 2 and 3 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | SoF2: No evidence of a difference between interventions in caries after 1, 2 and 3 years; 995 (3 studies); Very low. Studies were clinically different so not combined in meta-analyses; 1 study (Tagliaferro 2011)… | 3 studies · 995 participants | Very low |
Resin-based fissure sealant (visible-light-polymerized) vs Fluoride varnish Incidence of dentinal carious lesion on treated occlusal surfaces of molars or premolars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 4 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.42 [0.21, 0.84] | 1 study · 75 participants | Very low |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Dentine caries in permanent molars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 2-3 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | OR 0.67 [0.37, 1.19] | 4 studies · 1683 participants | Very low |
New types of fissure sealant (e.g. ormocer-based) vs No sealant (control) Outcome NR · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | No studies comparing new types of fissure sealants with no sealant were included. | NR | No studies |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Caries on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (36 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 36 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.17 [0.11, 0.27] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Caries on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (48-54 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 48-54 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.21 [0.16, 0.28] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Caries on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (12 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 12 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.17 [0.10, 0.30] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Dentine caries in permanent molars (24 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 24 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Inconclusive results: two studies slightly favoured glass ionomers (Liu 2014b OR 0.46 (0.23-0.91); Tagliaferro 2011) evaluating 426 children; one study (Songpaisan 1995) found no difference (MD DFS -0.18 (-0.39 to… | 3 studies · 830 participants | Very low |
Resin-based fissure sealant (2nd/3rd/4th generation) vs No sealant (control/no treatment) Dentine caries in permanent molars (24 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 24 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.12 [0.08, 0.19] | 7 studies · 1322 participants | Moderate |
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs Resin-based sealant Dentine caries in permanent molars · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 12-72 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Inconsistent effect (differences in products, comparisons, outcomes, outcome reporting times, background fluoride and age groups); 21 trials (3883 participants randomised); very low quality | 21 studies · 3883 participants | Very low |
Ormocer-based sealant vs Low-viscosity glass ionomer sealant Dentine caries in permanent molars · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years) · 24 months Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (2017) · Cochrane | Guler 2013 (N=50) compared ormocer-based sealant versus low-viscosity glass ionomer; not separately meta-analysed | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC) fissure sealant placed by press-finger technique vs Resin-based fissure sealant Development of carious lesions on sealed occlusal pits and fissures · Children with fully erupted permanent first molar teeth (mean age about 6 to 8 years) · 48 months Caries-Preventive Effect of High-Viscosity Glass Ionomer and Resin-Based Fissure Sealants on Permanent… (2016) | RR 0.62 [0.31, 1.21] | 2 studies · 1007 evaluated sealed teeth participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC) fissure sealant placed by press-finger technique vs Resin-based fissure sealant Development of carious lesions on sealed occlusal pits and fissures · Children with fully erupted permanent first molar teeth (mean age about 6 to 8 years) · 60 months Caries-Preventive Effect of High-Viscosity Glass Ionomer and Resin-Based Fissure Sealants on Permanent… (2016) | RR 0.29 [0.09, 0.95] | 2 studies · 205 evaluated sealed teeth participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC) fissure sealant placed by press-finger technique vs Resin-based fissure sealant Development of carious lesions on sealed occlusal pits and fissures · Children with fully erupted permanent first molar teeth (mean age about 6 to 8 years) · 36 months Caries-Preventive Effect of High-Viscosity Glass Ionomer and Resin-Based Fissure Sealants on Permanent… (2016) | RR 0.90 [0.49, 1.67] | 3 studies · 600 evaluated sealed teeth participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC) fissure sealant placed by press-finger technique vs Resin-based fissure sealant Development of carious lesions on sealed occlusal pits and fissures · Children with fully erupted permanent first molar teeth (mean age about 6 to 8 years) · 24 months Caries-Preventive Effect of High-Viscosity Glass Ionomer and Resin-Based Fissure Sealants on Permanent… (2016) | RR 1.36 [0.66, 2.78] | 4 studies · 1742 evaluated sealed teeth participants | Ungraded |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Participant and operator perception · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported on participant or operator perception | 0 studies | No studies |
Adhesive/polyurethane sealant patch vs No treatment (both arms received flossing plus fluoride toothpaste) Caries (lesion) progression (radiographic) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 12 to 36 months (radiographic follow-up), Sealant patch Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 1.00 [0.14, 7.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Caries (lesion) progression measured by pairwise reading of radiographs · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 18 to 36 months (radiographic follow-up) Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 0.31 [0.18, 0.53] | 4 studies | Moderate |
Resin sealant (one micro-invasive treatment) vs Resin infiltration (another micro-invasive treatment) Caries (lesion) progression (radiographic) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · up to 3 years Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | Only one study (Martignon 2012) directly compared resin sealant versus resin infiltration; the review could not determine which technique is more advantageous and reported no direct effect estimate for this comparison. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Caries (lesion) progression (radiographic; most sensitive measure per study, DSR > pairwise > visual scoring) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 12 to 36 months (radiographic follow-up) Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 0.24 [0.14, 0.41] | 7 studies · 365 participants | Moderate |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Change in decayed, missing and filled (DMF/dmf) figures at surface, tooth and whole mouth level · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | No studies reported on caries measured as change in decayed, missing and filled (DMF/dmf) figures at surface, tooth or whole mouth level | 0 studies | No studies |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Caries (lesion) progression measured by digital subtraction radiography (DSR) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 12 to 18 months (radiographic follow-up) Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 0.18 [0.06, 0.50] | 3 studies | Moderate |
Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (e.g. fluoride varnish, flossing/oral hygiene advice), no treatment, or placebo Caries (lesion) progression measured by radiographic scoring · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 12 to 30 months (radiographic follow-up) Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 0.27 [0.17, 0.44] | 5 studies | Moderate |
Resin sealant (with or without flossing advice) vs Flossing advice (non-invasive control) Caries (lesion) progression (radiographic) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in… · 12 to 36 months (radiographic follow-up), Resin sealant Micro‐invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth (2015) · Cochrane | OR 0.33 [0.18, 0.59] | 2 studies | Ungraded |