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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)

83 questions in 10 reviews · cluster CL0263

current versions
No studies 5 · 6%Ungraded 28 · 33.7%Very low 13 · 15.7%Low 6 · 7.2%Moderate 13 · 15.7%High 18 · 21.7%

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
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsModerate
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 participantsVery 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 studiesUngraded
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 participantsVery 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) · 24 mo
Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019)
RR 1.19 [1.1, 1.28]1 study · 799 participantsHigh
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 participantsLow
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 participantsModerate
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 participantsModerate
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsVery 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 participantsModerate
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 studiesUngraded
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsModerate
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsHigh
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 participantsVery 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 participantsHigh
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 participantsModerate
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 participantsModerate
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 13 studiesModerate
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 participantsHigh
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 studyUngraded
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 studiesUngraded
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 studyUngraded
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 studyUngraded