What do systematic reviews say?

7 questions · 7 findings · 2 reviews

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No studies found 0 · 0%GRADE not reported 6 · 85.7%Very low 0 · 0%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 1 · 14.3%High 0 · 0%

Microinvasive techniques (resin infiltration or glass ionomer varnish) vs Non-invasive measures (fluoride varnish/toothpaste, flossing, oral hygiene instruction, sham/standard of care)

Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Children with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions in primary teeth (ages 3-9)

In primary teeth (5 trials), microinvasive techniques reduced radiographic proximal caries progression versus non-invasive measures (OR 0.38; ungraded subgroup).

1 finding from 1 review

Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth- systematic… 2025 All outcomes
Final follow-up (1 to 2 years across trials) · Multiple countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand); dental clinic/community settings · Primary teeth (Fig. 6, subgroup 2.1.2)
OR 0.38 [0.25, 0.57]
5 studies · 266 participants
GRADE not reported

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 proximal caries lesion progression · Children and adults with non-cavitated proximal (interproximal) caries lesions in primary and/or permanent teeth (ages 3-45)

Microinvasive techniques probably reduce radiographic progression of non-cavitated proximal caries lesions compared with non-invasive measures (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth- systematic… 2025 All outcomes
Final follow-up (1 to 7 years across trials) · Multiple countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand); dental clinic/community settings · Overall (all microinvasive vs non-invasive pooled)
OR 0.27 [0.19, 0.38]
13 studies · 623 participants
Moderate

Resin infiltration vs Non-invasive measures (fluoride varnish/toothpaste, flossing, oral hygiene instruction, sham/standard of care)

Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Children and adults with non-cavitated proximal (interproximal) caries lesions in primary and/or permanent teeth (ages 3-45)

Pooling 10 trials, resin infiltration reduced radiographic proximal caries progression versus non-invasive measures (OR 0.23); this subgroup was not separately GRADE-rated.

1 finding from 1 review

Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth- systematic… 2025 All outcomes
Final follow-up (1 to 7 years across trials) · Multiple countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand); dental clinic/community settings · Resin infiltration vs non-invasive (Fig. 5, subgroup 2.1.1)
OR 0.23 [0.15, 0.35]
10 studies · 459 participants
GRADE not reported

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)

Adverse events and periodontal/secondary outcomes (gingival bleeding, gingival bleeding index, visible plaque index) · Children and adults with non-cavitated proximal (interproximal) caries lesions in primary and/or permanent teeth (ages 3-45)

Only three trials reported secondary/adverse outcomes; no adverse events were attributed to microinvasive treatment and periodontal findings were mixed and not pooled (ungraded).

1 finding from 1 review

Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth- systematic… 2025 All outcomes
Baseline and follow-up · Multiple countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand); dental clinic/community settings
Reported narratively by 3 trials (Arthur 2018, Sarti 2020, Jorge 2019). No adverse events were attributed to microinvasive treatment. Gingival bleeding index: no significant difference in Arthur 2018 and Jorge 2019 but…
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Microinvasive techniques (mostly resin infiltration; incl. resin sealant) vs Non-invasive measures (fluoride varnish/toothpaste, flossing, oral hygiene instruction, sham/standard of care)

Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions in permanent teeth (ages 11-45)

In permanent teeth (7 trials), microinvasive techniques reduced radiographic proximal caries progression versus non-invasive measures (OR 0.18; ungraded subgroup).

1 finding from 1 review

Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth- systematic… 2025 All outcomes
Final follow-up (1 to 7 years across trials) · Multiple countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Thailand); dental clinic/community settings · Permanent teeth (Fig. 6, subgroup 2.1.1)
OR 0.18 [0.10, 0.32]
7 studies · 296 participants
GRADE not reported

Resin infiltration vs Fluoride varnish

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 lesions, active caries…

Resin infiltration was significantly better than fluoride varnish (SMD -0.70, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.21); certainty of evidence not assessed (no GRADE).

1 finding from 1 review

Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. 2023 All outcomes
RCTs (clinical and in vitro); predominantly children and adolescents; orthodontic and non-orthodontic white spot lesions, early caries lesions, and artificial lesions
SMD -0.70 [-1.18, -0.21]
4 studies
GRADE not reported

Resin infiltration vs P11-4 + fluoride varnish

Resin infiltration and P11-4 plus fluoride varnish did not differ significantly (SMD 0.01, 95% CI -0.62 to 0.65; indirect evidence only); certainty of evidence not assessed (no GRADE).

1 finding from 1 review

Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. 2023 All outcomes
RCTs (clinical and in vitro); predominantly children and adolescents; orthodontic and non-orthodontic white spot lesions, early caries lesions, and artificial lesions
SMD 0.01 [-0.62, 0.65]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported