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Evidence found and GRADE certainty

1,171 questions · 1,373 findings · 60 reviews · Dental caries

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No studies found 282 · 20.5%GRADE not reported 606 · 44.1%Very low 257 · 18.7%Low 160 · 11.7%Moderate 66 · 4.8%High 2 · 0.1%

Fibre-optic transillumination (FOTI, including white light scattering and near infrared) vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual-tactile examination

Outcome not reported · Adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having root caries (in vivo); extracted teeth of adults (in vitro)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

MidWest (DENTSPLY; red fluorescence, red/green light and sound signal) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for detection of early enamel caries (D1 threshold) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…
1 finding from 1 review
  • Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
    Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
    Analysed as a separate index test (coupled forest plot and SROC plot, Figure 22 / Figure 23; Appendix 5); no summary DOR or sensitivity/specificity point reported numerically in the text. 4 datasets, 356 tooth sites.
    4 studies
    GRADE not reported

All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Multiple sites per tooth (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…
1 finding from 1 review

All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Smooth or secondary-caries surfaces (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…
1 finding from 1 review

Laser fluorescence (LF; DIAGNOdent) vs Reference standard: histology (in vitro studies) or visual-tactile examination (in vivo studies)

Sensitivity · Adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having root caries (in vivo studies); extracted teeth of adults (in vitro studies). 2…
1 finding from 1 review
  • Tests to detect and inform the diagnosis of root caries 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
    4 studies (4997 root surfaces) investigated laser fluorescence and reported estimates of sensitivity ranging from 0.50 to 0.81 and specificity ranging from 0.40 to 0.80. 2 studies evaluated tests on in vivo primary…
    4 studies
    Very low

All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Proximal surfaces (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…
1 finding from 1 review

All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Occlusal surfaces (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…
1 finding from 1 review

Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish

Dentine caries in permanent molars (24 months) · Children and adolescents (general population, aged under 20 years)

It is very uncertain whether resin-based fissure sealant changes dentine caries in permanent molars (yes/no) compared with fluoride varnish (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Gingivitis · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

It is very uncertain whether rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing changes gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) compared with toothbrushing alone (very low certainty).

2 findings from 1 review

440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

1450 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1450 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index d(m)ft compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

It is very uncertain whether rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing changes plaque compared with flossing plus toothbrushing (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Dental cavity liner (e.g. calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, or flowable composite) placed under the restoration vs No liner (resin-based composite bonded directly to the tooth)

Postoperative hypersensitivity (POH), patient-reported (dichotomous yes/no) · Adults or children with a Class I or Class II resin-based composite restoration in a permanent posterior tooth

Dental cavity liner (e.g. calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer,… showed no clear difference in postoperative hypersensitivity (POH), patient-reported (dichotomous… compared with no liner (resin-based composite bonded directly to the tooth) (low certainty).

3 findings from 1 review

1450 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1450 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, surface index d(m)fs compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

1000 or 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Adults with mature permanent dentition (aged 18 to 93 years at study start)

1000 or 1100 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index DMFT compared with non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

12,500 ppm F (NaF/olaflur/dectaflur) amine fluoride gel vs Placebo gel

Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review