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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.
5,762 questions in 263 reviews · Dental caries
current versionsNo studies 321 · 5.6%Ungraded 4,450 · 77.2%Very low 455 · 7.9%Low 297 · 5.2%Moderate 200 · 3.5%High 39 · 0.7%
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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Dental fillings (restorations) vs No treatment Outcome NR · Children aged 12 years or younger with tooth decay involving at least one tooth in the primary dentition, symptomatic… · Minimum 6 months follow-up Dental fillings for the treatment of caries in the primary dentition (2009) · Cochrane | "No studies were found that compared restorations versus extractions or no treatment as an intervention in children with caries in the primary dentition." | NR | No studies |
Resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer) vs Amalgam Replacement (failure) of Class II restoration at 12 months · Children aged 12 years or younger with tooth decay involving at least one tooth in the primary dentition, symptomatic… · 12 months Dental fillings for the treatment of caries in the primary dentition (2009) · Cochrane | OR 0.64 [0.10, 4.15] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Aesthetic (resin-veneered) crowns vs Conventional metal (stainless steel) crowns Gingival health at 6 months · Children aged 12 years or younger with tooth decay involving at least one tooth in the primary dentition, symptomatic… · 6 months Dental fillings for the treatment of caries in the primary dentition (2009) · Cochrane | OR 0.30 [0.01, 8.32] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Conditioning and sealing with an adhesive resin (smear-removing bonding system) vs Conventional calcium hydroxide lining Maintenance of pulp vitality (freedom from pulpal breakdown) up to 36 months · Healthy adults with asymptomatic posterior permanent teeth with deep caries and a vital (non-exposed) pulp requiring… · 36 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Whitworth 2005: 602 teeth randomised; 39 emergency recalls over the 36 months after restoration, with pulp breakdown associated with 16 teeth. The authors concluded that "dentists should be confident that pulps will be… | 1 study · 602 participants | Ungraded |
Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture vs Calcium hydroxide Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Prefabricated metal post and core (Category II) vs Metal custom-cast post and core (Category I) Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial compared metal-cast posts with prefabricated metal posts (a planned primary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Calcium hydroxide Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Metal post of one alloy type vs Metal post of a different alloy type Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial evaluated alloy type in metal posts (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Potassium nitrate/dimethyl isosorbide/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/DMI/PCa) vs Potassium nitrate/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/PCa) Clinical success (absence of periapical pathology, tenderness to pressure and fistula formation) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic vital pulpal exposures from caries · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Hodosh 2003 (Analysis 3.1): all 18 patients receiving KNO3/DMI/PCa responded favourably (0/18 developed clinical symptoms) versus 9/17 in the KNO3/PCa group; symptomatic teeth required endodontic therapy or extraction.… | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Cast post and core with a diaphragm vs Cast post and core without a diaphragm Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial evaluated the presence of a diaphragm in cast posts (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dycal (calcium hydroxide material) vs Cavitec (zinc oxide eugenol material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Dycal vs Cavitec). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide vs Zinc oxide eugenol Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide material) vs Cavitec (zinc oxide eugenol material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Life vs Cavitec). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Complete caries removal Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.2 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following complete caries removal, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium nitrate/dimethyl isosorbide/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/DMI/PCa) vs Polycarboxylate cement (PCa) alone Clinical success (absence of periapical pathology, tenderness to pressure and fistula formation) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic vital pulpal exposures from caries · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Hodosh 2003 (Analysis 3.1): all 18 patients receiving KNO3/DMI/PCa responded favourably (0/18 developed clinical symptoms) versus 10/12 in the PCa group. "The results in groups two and three were statistically… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Glycerrhetinic acid/antibiotic mixture vs Zinc oxide eugenol Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Post and core restoration with a ferrule vs Post and core restoration without a ferrule Outcome NR · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · Minimum 6 months (planned) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | No included trial evaluated the presence of a ferrule (a planned secondary comparison); no eligible study identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Non-metal carbon-fibre post and core (Category III; Composipost) vs Metal custom-cast post and core (Category I; gold alloy) Clinical/technical failure (root fracture) · Participants with permanent endodontically-treated (root-filled) teeth for which a post is indicated to retain the… · 48 months (4 years) Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.05 [0.00, 0.90] | 1 study · 195 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium nitrate/polycarboxylate cement (KNO3/PCa) vs Polycarboxylate cement (PCa) alone Clinical success (absence of periapical pathology, tenderness to pressure and fistula formation) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic vital pulpal exposures from caries · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Hodosh 2003 (Analysis 3.1): 9/17 in the KNO3/PCa group and 10/12 in the PCa group developed clinical symptoms requiring endodontic therapy or extraction. No significance test reported for this specific contrast; no… | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Indirect pulp capping Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.1 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following indirect pulp capping, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth lost… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Direct composite restoration (final restoration) vs Full-coverage metal-ceramic crown Clinical failure (post dislodgement) · Participants with endodontically-treated permanent premolars restored with a carbon-fibre post (Category III) · 36 months (3 years); dislodgement assessed at 24 months Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.85 [0.17, 19.8] | 1 study · 104 participants | Ungraded |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Zinc oxide eugenol Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Direct pulp capping Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.3 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following direct pulp capping, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth lost… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Tactile sensitivity (method a, ordinal scale) · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | MD -0.65 [-1.07, -0.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Thermal sensitivity · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | MD -1.10 [-1.64, -0.55] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Subjective assessment of sensitivity · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | SMD -0.67 [-1.44, 0.10] | 3 studies · 206 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Air blast sensitivity · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | SMD -1.25 [-1.65, -0.85] | 6 studies · 392 participants | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Tactile sensitivity (method b, continuous probe) · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | SMD 1.19 [0.79, 1.59] | 5 studies · 356 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.78, 1.00] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Proportion of children developing new caries (permanent) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.90 [0.60, 1.37] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.05 [-0.05, 0.15] | 4 studies · 1678 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.67, 1.17] | 3 studies · 1697 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.00 [0.72, 1.40] | 1 study · 344 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Adverse effects (tooth staining and other side effects) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Adverse-effect data scarcely reported: a stain score in one trial and 'any side effects' in one trial without complete or useable data (stated 'no side effects observed in both groups'). No useful information on tooth… | NR | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Adverse reactions · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; no adverse-reaction data were reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.22, 2.59] | 1 study · 196 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride mouthrinse vs Fluoride gel alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.23 [0.04, 0.43] | 2 studies · 497 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.29 [0.61, 2.71] | 2 studies · 294 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Enamel fluorosis (adverse effect) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Pain following treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; pain following treatment was not reported by the included trial (earlier trial publications reported treatment times, not pain). | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Adverse events · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… · To 6 months Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Baysan 2003 stated that no adverse events were reported to 6 months; no information was provided by Abu-Naba'a 2003 or Abu-Naba'a 2003pilot. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Restoration failure (longevity) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (data by restoration, not pooled; no statistical analysis possible). Failures over 2-year follow-up: direct resin composite (n=69) 4 absolute and 14 relative failures; indirect resin composite (n=54) 7… | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.21, 0.21] | 3 studies · 1256 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect veneer with no incisal edge reduction vs Indirect veneer with incisal edge reduction (1.5 mm plus short palatal bevel) Restoration survival (longevity) · Patients receiving indirect laminate veneer restorations on permanent anterior teeth · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 3): survival percentages by preparation type at 2 years (original/functional/overall) - no incisal edge reduction 98/97/95; incisal reduction 95/90/87. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Cost of treatment · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Planned outcome; cost of treatment was not reported by the included trial. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group) Patient satisfaction · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane | Abu-Naba'a 2003 reported participants' state of anxiety, comparing ozone treatment with traditional dental interventions (injection, drilling, filling); because no participant was randomised between ozone and drilling… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | RR 1.28 [0.37, 4.41] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, indirect resin composite 82%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Direct resin composite veneer vs Porcelain (indirect) veneer Patient satisfaction · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations · 2 years Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane | Meijering 1998 (Table 4): patients satisfied at 2 years - direct resin composite 67%, porcelain 93%. No statistical comparison performed. | 1 study | Ungraded |