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Search review questions
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.
124 questions in 13 reviews
current versionsNo studies 34 · 27.4%Ungraded 48 · 38.7%Very low 30 · 24.2%Low 6 · 4.8%Moderate 6 · 4.8%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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Fluoride agent (silver diamine fluoride, SDF) vs No biomimetic remineralization (control) Immediate (24 h) resin-dentin bond strength (MPa) · Artificial caries-affected dentin (ACAD) in extracted permanent human teeth (in vitro) · 24 h (immediate), Self-Etch + biological ACAD Biomimetic Remineralization Strategies for Dentin Bond Stability-Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. (2025) | Only 1 in vitro study (de Siqueira et al., 2020) assessed Self-Etch adhesive with biological ACAD; insufficient to perform a network meta-analysis, so no pooled estimate is reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo Treatment success (caries lesion arrest or restoration survival) · Children (aged 3-11 y) with cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth · 6 months, 6-month follow-up Comparative success of minimally invasive treatments for cavitated caries in primary teeth: a network… (2025) | OR 33.62 [3.01, 375.92] | 44 studies | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Other methods (pooled: ART/glass ionomer cement, nano-silver fluoride, placebo) Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 3 weeks to 12 months, Overall (all comparators pooled) The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 3.86 [0.34, 43.96] | 5 studies · 720 participants | Low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Atraumatic restorative treatment / glass ionomer cement (ART/GIC) Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 3 weeks to 12 months, SDF vs ART(GIC) The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 18.03 [7.34, 44.28] | 1 study · 234 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo, control, and/or other interventions Caries arrestment at the surface level · Children and adults without systemic diseases affecting dental health · 12 months to 18 months The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 1.03 [0.47, 2.27] | 3 studies · 5394 participants | Moderate |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plus fluoride varnish Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Fluoride varnish Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 12 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.68 [0.41, 1.11] | 1 study · 263 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plus fluoride varnish Dental pain or sensitivity · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Sodium fluoride varnish (5% NaF) Caries arrestment at the tooth level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 6 to 12 months, SDF vs NAF The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 4.75 [1.57, 14.31] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Chlorhexidine varnish Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (topical application) vs Control (placebo/no treatment or other topical fluoride agents) Prevention of new caries (caries development/increment) · Preschool children (primary dentition) at risk of new caries · 6 to 18 months The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | Narrative (2 RCTs; not meta-analyzed): Zheng 2023 reported mean decayed surfaces (ds) reduced from 0.7+/-1.9 to 0.4+/-1.5; Sirivichayakul 2023 reported a caries development rate of 27.2%. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Restoration (restorative treatment) Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 12 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Cleary 2022 reported that there were no unanticipated adverse events; adverse events were not defined. | 1 study | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | In 1 study, people complained about a transient bitter taste associated with SDF (with no associated data), with no other adverse effects. In another study, there were no adverse effects. No studies reported this… | 2 studies · 336 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with glass ionomer cement (GIC) or glass ionomer material Dental pain or sensitivity · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 3 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.16 [0.02, 1.32] | 1 study · 234 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Sodium fluoride varnish (5% NaF) Caries arrestment at the surface level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 12 to 18 months, SDF vs NAF The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 1.46 [0.71, 2.98] | 2 studies · 3541 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Chlorhexidine varnish Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Primary and permanent dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data in either dentition type | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with glass ionomer cement (GIC) or glass ionomer material Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 48 hours to 24 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | In 1 study, 115 of 118 children had black stains on teeth treated with SDF; there were no other adverse effects or allergic reactions. In 1 study, the rate of adverse effects reported by caregiver and person who… | 3 studies · 482 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Silver nitrate plus fluoride varnish Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 36 months, Permanent dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.20 [0.00, 0.40] | 1 study · 373 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plus fluoride varnish Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 months, Primary dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 2.76 [0.67, 11.43] | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) plus fluoride varnish vs Sealants plus fluoride varnish (with or without restorations) Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 months, Mixed dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.11 [-0.01, 0.22] | 1 study · 413 participants | Low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Restoration (restorative treatment) Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 6 to 12 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Cleary 2022 reported no significant differences (P > 0.05) in parental acceptability, satisfaction, and preference between treatments at 6 and 12 months; at 12 months children in the restoration arm felt happier with… | 1 study | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) plus fluoride varnish vs Sealants plus fluoride varnish (with or without restorations) Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with glass ionomer cement (GIC) or glass ionomer material Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Primary and permanent dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data in this dentition type | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 months, Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.24 [0.12, 0.36] | 1 study · 158 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 18 months, Permanent dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 1.76 [0.74, 4.20] | 1 study · 242 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Sealants or resin infiltration Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Primary dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data in this dentition type | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Silver nitrate plus fluoride varnish Dental pain or sensitivity · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies measured this outcome for root surfaces | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Nano-silver fluoride (NSF; with or without green tea extract) Caries arrestment at the surface level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 12 to 18 months, SDF vs NSF The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 0.52 [0.43, 0.63] | 1 study · 1853 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 months, Permanent dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Peto OR 44.22 [33.12, 59.04] | 1 study · 663 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Fluoride varnish Dental pain or sensitivity · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 12 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.36 [0.10, 1.34] | 1 study · 62 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Fluoride varnish Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 36 months, Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.20 [-0.91, 0.51] | 1 study · 100 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF; 38% in most trials, 30% in three) vs Nano-silver fluoride (NSF; with or without green tea extract) Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition) · 3 weeks to 12 months, SDF vs NSF The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 0.39 [0.26, 0.60] | 2 studies · 384 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 to 36 months, Primary dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.86 [0.39, 1.33] | 2 studies · 841 participants | Low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 36 months, Primary dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD -1.14 [-1.58, -0.70] | 1 study · 373 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Fluoride varnish Secondary prevention of caries · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data in this dentition type | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) plus fluoride varnish vs Sealants plus fluoride varnish (with or without restorations) Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Study period (24 months), Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Ruff 2022 reported that there were no adverse events during the study period; adverse events were not defined by the study authors. Assumed data available for 1398 participants. | 1 study · 1398 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo or no treatment Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 24 to 36 months, Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.79 [-1.40, -0.17] | 3 studies · 439 participants | Moderate |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Restoration (restorative treatment) Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 12 months, Primary dentition (coronal) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.03 [0.01, 0.10] | 1 study · 98 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Placebo, control, and/or other interventions Caries arrestment at the individual level · Children and adults without systemic diseases affecting dental health · 3 weeks to 12 months The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… (2024) | OR 3.86 [0.34, 43.96] | 5 studies · 720 participants | Low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plus fluoride varnish Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 6 months Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Parents were asked if any harm was noticed due to the use of SDF, but the results were not reported in the study report; we could not determine whether there were any associated harms with either treatment (Mendiratta… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with glass ionomer cement (GIC) or glass ionomer material Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · Primary and permanent dentition Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Silver nitrate plus fluoride varnish Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 18 months, Children Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | Gao 2019 noted that "arrested lesions were stained black" (reported with no associated data). No other adverse effects observed, and no reports from parents of systemic disease. | 1 study · 1070 participants | Very low |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plus fluoride varnish Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | No studies reported data for this outcome in this comparison | 0 studies | No studies |
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Chlorhexidine varnish Primary caries prevention · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions) · 36 months, Permanent dentition (root) Topical silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for preventing and managing dental caries in children and adults (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-0.95, 0.15] | 1 study · 99 participants | Very low |