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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)

5,762 questions in 263 reviews · Dental caries

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (HI) vs HIV-unexposed uninfected children (HUU)
Dental caries (presence/absence) · Children and adolescents under 18 years with HIV · Not specified (case-control), Case-control studies
Association between antiretroviral therapy and dental caries in children and adolescents with HIV: a… (2025)
OR 1.61 [1.02, 2.56]NRUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 6: corrosion · HDI: Very high
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 1.54 [1.03, 2.32]10 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 8: disruption of occlusal integrity · Continent: Europe
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 2.03 [1.35, 3.04]6 studiesUngraded
Higher parental education (tertiary) vs Lower parental education (reference)
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa · Parents' education level [Chouchene]
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
OR 0.797 [0.171, 0.650]1 studyUngraded
Self-assembling/remineralizing peptide (e.g., P11-4, PAA-PASP) vs Flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, proanthocyanidin)
Immediate (24 h) resin-dentin bond strength (MPa) · Artificial caries-affected dentin (ACAD) in extracted permanent human teeth (in vitro) · 24 h (immediate), Etch-and-Rinse + biological ACAD
Biomimetic Remineralization Strategies for Dentin Bond Stability-Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. (2025)
MD 9.857 [2.588, 17.126]0 studiesModerate
AI algorithms (predominantly CNN/deep learning) as index test vs Dental expert / visual-tactile clinical assessment (reference standard)
Log diagnostic odds ratio · Patients undergoing dental caries detection on dental images (teeth/surfaces across imaging modalities) · Cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy (index test vs reference standard), Overall (all imaging modalities pooled)
Examining the diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence for detecting dental caries across a range of… (2025)
Log DOR 4.37 [3.16, 6.27]20 studies · 29423 participantsUngraded
Higher drinking-water fluoride exposure vs Null / lowest drinking-water fluoride exposure (reference)
Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) · Females aged over 50 years · Long-term / lifetime fluoride exposure, Females >50, spine BMD dose-response
The association of fluoride exposure with bone density and fracture risk: a dose-response meta-analysis. (2025)
Inverted U-shaped curve with a downward trend starting at lower fluoride concentrations than the overall analysis (no numeric MD reported in text)NRUngraded
Intervention NR
Radiographic progression of proximal caries lesions · Caries depth: lesions extending beyond DEJ (favored microinvasive; narrative, no numeric estimate)
Microinvasive interventions in the management of proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth-… (2025)
no estimate extractedNRUngraded
Hall technique vs Silver diamine fluoride (SDF)
Treatment success (caries lesion arrest or restoration survival) · Children (aged 3-11 y) with cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth · 12 months, 12-month follow-up
Comparative success of minimally invasive treatments for cavitated caries in primary teeth: a network… (2025)
OR 3.23 [1.13, 9.22]43 studiesModerate
Electronic cigarette use vs Non-smokers
IL-8 level · People who use electronic cigarettes · Saliva
The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and… (2025)
Cohen's d -0.32 [-0.99, 0.35]5 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 2: loss of dental hard substance adjacent to the restoration · Continent: South America
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 7.54 [3.41, 16.67]2 studiesUngraded
Genetically predicted periodontitis vs Lower genetically predicted periodontitis liability
Osteoporosis · European GWAS participants · SVMR Maximum Likelihood
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 0.998 [0.934, 1.067]483725 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 6: corrosion · Coverage: Covering cost of minimally invasive treatment
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 1.66 [1.11, 2.49]NRUngraded
Severe early childhood caries vs Caries-free controls
Streptococcus mutans relative abundance · Children under 6 years with severe early childhood caries and caries-free controls
A systematic review of Streptococcus Mutans and Veillonellae species interactions in dental caries… (2025)
Median relative abundance (%) caries 0.73 (range 0.02-22.9) vs control 0.15 (0.006-10.4)1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Higher drinking-water fluoride exposure vs Null / lowest drinking-water fluoride exposure (reference)
Risk of fragility fractures · Males · Long-term / lifetime fluoride exposure, Males: drinking-water fluoride 0.57 mg/L vs null
The association of fluoride exposure with bone density and fracture risk: a dose-response meta-analysis. (2025)
RR 0.83 [0.72, 0.97]7 studiesUngraded
Genetically predicted DMFS (dental caries) vs Lower genetically predicted DMFS, adjusted for periodontitis
Lumbar spine bone mineral density · European GWAS participants · MVMR IVW
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
BETA 0.105 [0.011, 0.199]28498 participantsUngraded
Replacement of the defective restoration vs Repair of the defective restoration
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 4: marginal discoloration · Dentists managing a defective direct amalgam restoration (posterior occlusal Class I; standardized vignette of a… · Not applicable (single time-point survey, June to October 2023), HDI: Low
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 3.58 [2.74, 4.69]2 studies · 350 participantsUngraded
Breastfeeding for 12-24 months vs Not breastfed at the same age
Risk of early childhood caries · Children up to 71 months · 12-24 months
Risk of Early Childhood Dental Caries Associated With Prolonged Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review and… (2025)
RR 1.21 [0.82, 1.78]5 studiesLow
Genetically predicted DMFS (dental caries) vs Lower genetically predicted DMFS
Osteoporosis · European GWAS participants · SVMR Maximum Likelihood
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 1.162 [0.998, 1.353]483725 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 5: open margin · Continent: Africa
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 6.44 [4.85, 8.56]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 2: loss of dental hard substance adjacent to the restoration · Continent: Europe
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 3.53 [2.36, 5.30]6 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Composite: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 5: open margin · HDI: Very high
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 4.75 [2.78, 8.11]10 studiesUngraded
Theory-based oral health education/promotion interventions (HBM, TPB, SCT, HAPA, TTM, PMT, SOC, PRECEDE-PROCEED, MI) vs Control (waitlist, routine/standard oral health education, or minimal intervention)
Dental plaque (plaque index) · Children and adolescents aged 5-18 years · Post-intervention (follow-up 1 to 24 months, varies by study), Overall
Health promotion theory-based educational interventions for improving oral health in children and… (2025)
SMD -1.92 [-2.42, -1.42]9 studies · 12562 participantsModerate
Self-assembling/remineralizing peptide (e.g., P11-4, PAA-PASP) vs Flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, proanthocyanidin)
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 + chemical ACAD
Biomimetic Remineralization Strategies for Dentin Bond Stability-Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. (2025)
MD -3.074 [-10.755, 4.607]0 studiesModerate
Genetically predicted periodontitis vs Reference (lower genetically predicted periodontitis liability)
Postmenopausal osteoporosis with pathological fracture · Postmenopausal women (European ancestry) · Lifelong genetic liability, MVMR (IVW), adjusted for DMFS
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 1.016 [0.867, 1.191]281786 participantsUngraded
Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)
Early childhood caries (ECC), prevalence · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa · Sampling: convenience
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
Prevalence 604 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Composite: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 8: disruption of occlusal integrity · Coverage: Not covering
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 0.40 [0.30, 0.55]NRUngraded
Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) vs Reference standard (bitewing radiography, ADA classification, ICDAS II)
Proximal caries detection: sensitivity · Patients (in vivo); permanent and primary teeth, proximal (approximal) surfaces · Overall (all dentition)
Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative light-induced fluorescence in detecting caries of various types and… (2025)
Sensitivity 0.744 studiesUngraded
Gamified oral health interventions (mobile apps, serious games, augmented reality, game-based education) vs Conventional or traditional oral health education, or non-gamified interventions (comparator varied; several studies were single-arm/uncontrolled)
Oral hygiene behavior (brushing habits, preventive dental visits, dietary choices) · Children and adolescents aged <=18 years · Post-intervention (predominantly short-term; long-term follow-up in a minority of studies)
The Application of Gamification in Children's Oral Health Management: Systematic Review. (2025)
A gesture-based motion-capture game enhanced brushing independence and skill retention (P<.001) [Kang 2021]; 58.8% of caregivers reported their children brushed more often when using gamified applications [France…NRUngraded
Genetically predicted DMFS (dental caries) vs Lower genetically predicted DMFS
Forearm fracture · European GWAS participants · SVMR Weighted Median
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 0.914 [0.799, 1.046]490889 participantsUngraded
Hydroxyapatite (e.g., nano-HAp) 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), Etch-and-Rinse + chemical ACAD
Biomimetic Remineralization Strategies for Dentin Bond Stability-Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. (2025)
MD 4.841 [-0.848, 10.530]3 studiesLow
Severe early childhood caries vs Caries-free controls
Streptococcus relative abundance · Children under 6 years with severe early childhood caries and caries-free controls
A systematic review of Streptococcus Mutans and Veillonellae species interactions in dental caries… (2025)
Mean relative abundance (%) caries 35.63 (SD 17.04) vs control 32.11 (SD 18.91)1 study · 9 (caries only; control not reported in Table 3) participantsUngraded
Timing of first dental visit vs Reference visit timing
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa · Delayed/late visit
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
OR 0.248 [0.072, 0.852]1 studyUngraded
Genetically predicted dental caries (DMFS index) vs Reference (1-SD lower genetically predicted DMFS)
Fracture of femur · European-ancestry adults · Lifelong genetic liability, SVMR (IVW), total causal effect
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 1.126 [0.975, 1.300]489106 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Composite: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 6: superficial discoloration · HDI: Very high
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 0.26 [0.14, 0.49]10 studiesUngraded
Genetically predicted periodontitis vs Lower genetically predicted periodontitis liability
Osteoporosis · European GWAS participants · SVMR Weighted Median
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 1.002 [0.925, 1.086]483725 participantsUngraded
Higher drinking-water fluoride exposure vs Null / lowest drinking-water fluoride exposure (reference)
Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) · Females (all ages) · Long-term / lifetime fluoride exposure, Females, low-to-moderate risk-of-bias studies: 0.20 mg/L vs null
The association of fluoride exposure with bone density and fracture risk: a dose-response meta-analysis. (2025)
MD 0.02 [-0.02, 0.07]NRUngraded
Intervention NR
Early childhood caries (ECC), prevalence · Study site: urban and rural (both)
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
Prevalence 51 [35, 67]7 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Composite: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 6: superficial discoloration · Continent: South America
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 0.44 [0.15, 1.29]2 studiesUngraded
Restricted partial pulpotomy (pulp removal 2-3 mm from exposure site only) vs Extended partial pulpotomy (pulp removal 2-3 mm from entire pulp chamber with complete deroofing)
Postoperative pain and analgesic intake · Adults (18-45 y) with mature permanent molars, carious exposure and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis · Postoperative days 1-2, Lateral extent of pulp amputation
Partial pulpotomy for carious pulp exposure in adult mature permanent teeth: a systematic review and… (2025)
Same RCT (Ramani 2024): restricted PP had significantly lower postoperative pain scores on days 1 and 2 (p<0.05) and required significantly less analgesic intake (p<0.05) than extended PP.1 study · 96 participantsUngraded
Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)
Early childhood caries (ECC), prevalence · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa · Sampling: stratified/multistage cluster
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
Prevalence 50 [40, 61]9 studiesUngraded
Genetically predicted periodontitis vs Reference (lower genetically predicted periodontitis liability)
Osteoporosis · European-ancestry adults · Lifelong genetic liability, SVMR (IVW), total causal effect
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 0.998 [0.933, 1.067]483725 participantsUngraded
Partial pulpotomy vs Full (complete) pulpotomy
Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Mature permanent (molar) teeth with deep caries and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis (spontaneous pain) · >=6 months
The effectiveness of partial pulpotomy compared with full pulpotomy in managing deep caries in vital… (2025)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Cessation of breastfeeding/bottle after 18 months vs Cessation at or before 18 months
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa · >18 months
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
OR 2.417 [1.340, 4.358]1 studyUngraded
Postbiotic products (postbiotic toothpaste; heat-killed/postbiotic oral lozenges; inactivated-bacteria tablets) vs Placebo, fluoride toothpaste, or standard post-filling care (varies by trial)
Reduced salivary S. mutans counts · Humans at risk of dental caries (children aged 6-12 years; adults with dental caries) · Daily for 14 days to 4 weeks
Postbiotics and Dental Caries: A Systematic Review. (2025)
Three RCTs reported reduced salivary S. mutans counts after postbiotic intervention; the reduction was statistically significant in Lin 2022 but non-significant in Basir 2022; no pooled estimate.3 studiesUngraded
Genetically predicted DMFS (dental caries) vs Lower genetically predicted DMFS, adjusted for periodontitis
Osteoporosis with pathological fracture · European GWAS participants · MVMR MR-Egger
From teeth to bone: dental caries has causal effects on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. (2025)
OR 1.011 [0.876, 1.167]376746 participantsUngraded
Partial pulpotomy (PP) with calcium hydroxide vs Direct pulp capping (DPC) with calcium hydroxide
Clinical and radiographic success rate · Adults (>=18 y) with mature permanent teeth, carious exposure and normal/reversibly inflamed pulp · 1 year
Partial pulpotomy for carious pulp exposure in adult mature permanent teeth: a systematic review and… (2025)
Success rate (%) 34.5 vs 31.81 study · 51 participantsUngraded
Out-of-pocket health expenditure vs Lower vs higher out-of-pocket expenditure categories
Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL sum score, transformed 0-100) · Community-dwelling elderly persons aged ≥60 years · Lowest out-of-pocket expenditure
Association between oral health-related quality of life and structural determinants of health among elderly… (2025)
MEAN 83.9 [75.2, 92.6]NRUngraded
E-cigarette use (electronic nicotine delivery systems / vaping) vs Non-smokers (non-users)
Periodontitis / periodontal disease and periodontal parameters · Adult e-cigarette (ENDS) users (general oral health; predominantly natural dentition)
An Umbrella Review of E-Cigarettes' Impact on Oral Microbiota and Biofilm Buildup. (2025)
Narrative synthesis: e-cigarette use associated with increased risk of periodontal and gingival disease and worse periodontal parameters vs non-smokers (Tattar, Shabil, Figueredo, Yang [23,24,30,31]); no pooled…7 studiesUngraded
Replacement of the defective restoration vs Repair of the defective restoration
Amalgam: Preference for replacement over repair - Scenario 4: marginal discoloration · Dentists managing a defective direct amalgam restoration (posterior occlusal Class I; standardized vignette of a… · Not applicable (single time-point survey, June to October 2023), Overall (all 21 countries pooled)
Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational… (2025)
RR 6.04 [4.51, 8.08]21 studies · 3680 participantsUngraded