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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
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 comparison0 studiesNo studies
Extraction of a maxillary permanent first molar vs Extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar
Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents (<18 years) after extraction of a permanent first molar before eruption of the permanent… · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Overall
Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024)
OR 7.77 [4.99, 12.11]9 studies · 1349 participantsLow
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls
Periodontal pocket depth (PPD) in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, PPD (periodontal pocket depth)
Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024)
SMD 1.64 [-0.20, 3.47]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Partial pulpotomy, immature teeth
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
Proportion 0.924 [0.851, 0.976]3 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Spontaneous space closure · Mandible: M2 Demirjian E-F vs G-H
Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024)
OR 42.01 studyUngraded
CC genotype vs CA+AA genotypes
Dental caries · Children (<18 years) with vs without dental caries · Recessive model (CC vs CA+AA)
Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with caries risk in children: a systematic review and… (2024)
OR 0.87 [0.70, 1.09]3 studies · 1327 participantsUngraded
Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)
Early childhood caries experience (mean dmft) · Children younger than 71 months (under 6 years) · Region: Africa
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. (2024)
MEAN 3.47 [1.37, 5.56]3 studiesUngraded
Slum setting vs Non-slum urban setting
Determinants of oral diseases · Adults in LMIC urban and slum settings
Systematic review of oral health in slums and non-slum urban settings of Low and Middle-Income Countries… (2024)
no estimate extracted14 studiesUngraded
Breastfeeding <24 months vs Breastfeeding ≥24 months
Dental caries (ECC) · Preschool children under 6 years of age · First dental examination before age 6 years, Cohort studies; sensitivity analysis excluding Peres et al. (2017)
Association of Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
RR 0.49 [0.39, 0.62]3 studiesUngraded
Fixed orthodontic treatment with fixed (multibracket) appliances (exposure) vs None (single-group prevalence/incidence estimate)
Incidence of new ICLs (proportion of tooth surfaces developing new lesions) · Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with fixed (multibracket) appliances, followed for development of new… · During fixed orthodontic treatment (development of new lesions), Overall (random-effects model)
Distribution of initial caries lesions in relation to fixed orthodontic therapy. A systematic review and… (2024)
Proportion 0.15 [0.08, 0.26]4 studies · 1890 participantsVery low
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 type0 studiesNo studies
Breastfeeding vs No breastfeeding
Dental caries (ECC) · Preschool children under 6 years of age · First dental examination before age 6 years, Cohort studies; sensitivity analysis excluding studies 37, 41, 45, 53, and 56
Association of Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
RR 0.82 [0.71, 0.95]5 studiesUngraded
Salivary Actinobacillus level vs Not specified
Salivary S. mutans level · Patients with aggressive periodontitis · Overall
Association between periodontitis and dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2024)
OR 0.08 [0.01, 0.85]1 studyUngraded
Slum residence vs Non-slum urban residence
Dental caries (odds), slum vs non-slum residence · Adult residents of slums and non-slum urban settings of LMICs · Cross-sectional, Slum vs non-slum urban (Osuh 2022, Nigeria)
Systematic review of oral health in slums and non-slum urban settings of Low and Middle-Income Countries… (2024)
OR 1.21 [0.94, 1.56]1 study · 1357 participantsUngraded
Presence of oral Candida albicans vs Absence of oral Candida albicans
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged ≤6 years (early childhood) · Exposure and outcome assessed concurrently (observational); children aged ≤6 years, Region: Europe
RETRACTED: Investigating the association between Candida albicans and early childhood dental caries: A… (2024)
OR 10.13 [6.01, 17.09]5 studies · 635 participantsUngraded
Adhesive precoated flash-free brackets vs Conventional ceramic brackets
Enamel demineralization (DIAGNOdent score) · Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment · Baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after bonding
Can Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Inhibit the Formation and Development of White Spot Lesions During Fixed… (2024)
Intergroup evaluation showed that there were no statistically significant differences in demineralization measurements between all sides of the conventional and flash-free brackets at all the time intervals (p >0.05).1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Immature teeth, irreversible pulpitis
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
Proportion 0.790 [0.667, 0.892]2 studiesUngraded
Xylitol (low-intensity sweetener/sugar alcohol) in food products (chewing gum, milk, candy, or tablets) vs Sorbitol (low-intensity sweetener)
Change in Mutans streptococci (MS) count in saliva · Generally healthy individuals across all age groups (infants to elderly) · Post-consumption endpoint (varied durations across trials), Xylitol gum vs sorbitol gum (2 studies)
Clinical Effects of Sugar Substitutes on Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
SMD -0.16 [-0.44, 0.12]2 studies · 201 participantsUngraded
T allele vs G allele
Dental caries · Children (<18 years) with vs without dental caries · Allelic model (T vs G)
Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with caries risk in children: a systematic review and… (2024)
OR 1.00 [0.81, 1.23]3 studies · 796 participantsUngraded
T allele vs C allele
Dental caries · Children (<18 years) with vs without dental caries · Allelic model (T vs C), Permanent dentition
Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with caries risk in children: a systematic review and… (2024)
OR 0.90 [0.54, 1.49]NRUngraded
Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)
Early childhood caries experience (mean dmft) · Children younger than 71 months (under 6 years) · GNI >$40000
A systematic review and meta-analysis on early-childhood-caries global data. (2024)
MEAN 3.34 [1.79, 4.88]13 studiesUngraded
Dental caries (DT not equal to 0) vs No dental caries
Periodontitis (prevalence) · Adults · Crude OR
Association between periodontitis and dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2024)
OR 2.35 [2.04, 2.70]2 studiesUngraded
Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)
Regular toothbrushing usage (prevalence) · Children (<18 years) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in India · Overall
Oral health status of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in India: a systematic… (2024)
Prevalence 91 [80, 96]6 studies · 1036 participantsUngraded
Transbond XT with 1% chitosan and 1% TiO2 nanoparticles vs Transbond XT adhesive
Streptococcus mutans count · Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment · 1 day, 2 months, and 6 months after bonding
Can Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Inhibit the Formation and Development of White Spot Lesions During Fixed… (2024)
Experimental group: significant decrease in S. mutans count was observed at the time points of 1 day, 2 months, and 6 months for both maxillary lateral incisor (p = 0.01) and maxillary second premolar teeth (p = 0.001).1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
Biodentine vs Calcium hydroxide (CH)
Overall success (composite of clinical and radiographic success) · Permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure · >=12 months
Efficacy of pulpotomy for permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis… (2024)
OR 6.03 [0.97, 37.6]2 studiesUngraded
Used fluoride mouth rinse vs No fluoride mouth rinse
Fluorosis (percentage prevalence in permanent teeth) · Children exposed to topical fluoride when under 6 years old; fluorosis assessed in permanent teeth at 6 to 18 years · Fluorosis assessed when most permanent teeth of interest had erupted (6 to 18 years)
Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children (2024) · Cochrane
OR 1.44 [0.62, 3.38]1 studyUngraded
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 participantsVery low
High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy (2400 IU/day from pregnancy week 24 to 1 week postpartum, in addition to the recommended 400 IU/day) vs Low-dose (standard) vitamin D supplementation as recommended in national pregnancy guidelines
Caries presence in primary teeth · For interventions, pregnant women, mothers or other caregivers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes,… · Children assessed at 6 yrs
Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.70, 1.41]1 study · 496 participantsVery low
Moderate-severe active dental caries (exposure) vs Caries-free or mild dental caries (control)
Salivary IL-6 level (pg/mL) · Children and young adults (3-25 years)
Activity and levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in saliva of children and young adults with dental caries: a… (2024)
SMD 11.60 [6.27, 16.94]11 studies · 879 participantsUngraded
Er:YAG laser irradiation of sound enamel before acid challenge vs No anticaries intervention (untreated enamel)
Demineralised lesion depth · Human tooth enamel specimens, sound/intact (in vitro) · After cariogenic acid challenge / pH cycling
Effect of Er:YAG Laser Irradiation on Preventing Enamel Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
SMD -0.55 [-0.97, -0.12]3 studies · 252 participantsUngraded
Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) and CHX or iodine-NaF solution application in the dentition of women (mothers) vs Placebo
Adverse events for mother or child · For interventions, pregnant women and mothers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes, children up to 6…
Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane
Two trials (Dasanayake 1993; Dasanayake 2002) reported adverse events related to topical application of the treatment solutions (other data).2 studiesUngraded
Breastfeeding for <12 months vs Breastfeeding for ≥12 months
Dental caries (early childhood caries) · Preschool children (<6 years) · Cohort studies
Association of Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
RR 0.65 [0.50, 0.86]8 studies · 4365 participantsUngraded
Significant salivary microbial (Lactobacillus) load vs No/low significant microbial load
Dental caries · Primary school children in Ethiopia
Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among primary school children in Ethiopia: systematic… (2024)
OR 3.82 [3.439, 4.192]NRUngraded
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 comparison0 studiesNo studies
Teledentistry diagnosis using DSLR or smartphone extra-oral photographs vs Visual or clinical examination
Positive predictive value for dental caries diagnosis · Children and adults with primary or permanent dentition · Overall
Teledentistry accuracy for caries diagnosis: a systematic review of in-vivo studies using extra-oral… (2024)
no estimate extracted10 studiesUngraded
Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) and CHX or iodine-NaF solution application in the dentition of women (mothers) vs Placebo
dmft index score · For interventions, pregnant women and mothers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes, children up to 6…
Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane
dmft was listed in the SoF table but not assessed (no trial reported it).0 studiesNo studies
Extraction at patient age 11-12 years vs Extraction at patient age 8-10 years
Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible
Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024)
OR 0.82 [0.35, 1.88]2 studiesUngraded
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy
Dental caries in children · Children of mothers assessed for smoking status during pregnancy (early childhood dental caries) · Exposure during pregnancy; caries assessed in early childhood, Study region: Europe
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and early childhood dental caries in children: a systematic review and… (2024)
OR 1.67 [1.40, 1.99]4 studiesUngraded
Children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) vs Caries-free children
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level · Preschool children ≤6 years, Asia · Asia
The Association Between Vitamin D and Early Childhood Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024)
MD -19.25 [-20.75, -17.76]NRUngraded
Periodontitis / periodontal disease (history or clinical diagnosis) vs No periodontitis (individuals without periodontal disease)
Oral cancer (OC) · Adults in case-control studies of oral cancer; people assessed for periodontitis · Not specified, Overall (random-effects pooled estimate)
Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024)
OR 2.94 [2.13, 4.07]8 studies · 6927 participantsLow
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 participantsVery low
Extraction at patient age 11-12 years vs Extraction at patient age 8-10 years
Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible
Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024)
OR 0.29 [0.11, 0.81]2 studiesUngraded
Second molar at Nolla developmental stage 6-7 at extraction vs Second molar at later Nolla stages at extraction
Spontaneous space closure · Children and adolescents after extraction of a mandibular permanent first molar (before eruption of the second molar) · Until eruption of the permanent second molar (median follow-up 4.0 years), Mandible
Spontaneous space closure after extraction of permanent first molars in children and adolescents: a… (2024)
OR 55.1 [3.0, at least 100.0]1 studyUngraded
Cesarean section delivery vs Vaginal delivery
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged <6 years · Study quality (NOS): Moderate
RETRACTED: The association between mode of childbirth delivery and early childhood caries: A comprehensive… (2024)
OR 1.10 [0.75, 1.61]12 studiesUngraded
TiO2-modified composite (1 wt.%) vs Control composite in contralateral quadrant
Streptococcus mutans population · Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment · 1 to 6 months after bonding
Can Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Inhibit the Formation and Development of White Spot Lesions During Fixed… (2024)
No statistically significant difference between the S. mutans populations on the control and test sides at any time point.1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Dietary advice on how to achieve a healthy diet for infants (tailored advice focused on a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol intake) vs Standard care
Mother self-reported oral health behaviours · For interventions, pregnant women, mothers or other caregivers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes,…
Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane
Data from Lapinleimu 1995 on mother oral health behaviour (other data) showed some evidence of benefit in favour of the intervention.1 studyUngraded
Fixed orthodontic treatment with fixed (multibracket) appliances (exposure) vs None (single-group prevalence/incidence estimate)
Association between orthodontic treatment duration and ICLs prevalence · Patients (permanent dentition) during or after fixed orthodontic treatment with fixed (multibracket) appliances · During or after fixed orthodontic treatment, By orthodontic treatment duration (subgroup meta-analysis; positive association, P=.01)
Distribution of initial caries lesions in relation to fixed orthodontic therapy. A systematic review and… (2024)
Prevalence of ICLs positively associated with orthodontic treatment duration (meta-regression, P=.01); effect size/slope not available (Fig. 6a image not provided)NRUngraded
SDF (given at a particular frequency, concentration, or duration) vs SDF (given at a different frequency, concentration, or duration)
Aesthetics · 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
1 study (119 children) reported that 45% parents were satisfied with child's dental appearance (data not reported by study group)1 study · 119 participantsVery low
Cesarean section delivery vs Vaginal delivery
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged <6 years · Sample size: <300
RETRACTED: The association between mode of childbirth delivery and early childhood caries: A comprehensive… (2024)
OR 1.09 [0.64, 1.86]13 studiesUngraded
Probiotics (any strain, dose, or presentation), minimum intake duration 0.2 months vs No treatment or placebo (control)
Number of dental caries (carious pieces) · Adolescents (12-18 years) without background systemic disease · Population: adolescents (vs children; p-interaction=0.02)
Efficacy of Probiotic Consumption on Oral Outcomes in Children and/or Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis. (2024)
MD -0.60 [-0.92, -0.28]NRUngraded