Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) proximal caries · Proximal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the conventional (all-studies) meta-analysis, pooled sensitivity of radiographic detection for all (initial and advanced) proximal caries was 43.2% (95% CI 36 to 51) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Sensitivity 43.2 [36, 51]
38 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 40.2 [32, 48]
31 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 40.5 [33, 48]
34 studies
GRADE not reported
NPV for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the Egyptian public health clinic setting, the negative predictive value of radiographic detection for advanced occlusal caries was 89.3% at an assumed prevalence of 19.0% (ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
NPV 89.3
38 studies
GRADE not reported
NPV 94.3
36 studies
GRADE not reported
Treatment success (caries lesion arrest or restoration survival) · Children with dentin caries lesions in the outer half of dentin on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth
Conventional restorative treatment with resin composite gave a higher treatment success rate than resin sealing for outer-half occlusal dentin caries in primary teeth (2 studies; low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Specificity for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the meta-analysis tailored to Germany, pooled specificity of visual detection for advanced occlusal caries was 96.5% (95% CI 95 to 97) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Specificity 96.5 [95, 97]
50 studies
GRADE not reported
Specificity 90.9 [88, 93]
94 studies
GRADE not reported
Specificity 84.9 [82, 89]
55 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the German private-practice setting, the positive predictive value of radiographic detection for all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries was 22.6% at an assumed prevalence of 11.0% (ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
PPV 22.6
9 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV 32.1
11 studies
GRADE not reported
NPV for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the German private-practice setting, the negative predictive value of visual detection for advanced occlusal caries was 85.9% at an assumed prevalence of 22.0% (ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
NPV 85.9
50 studies
GRADE not reported
NPV 97.5
55 studies
GRADE not reported
Positive LR for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the meta-analysis tailored to Egypt, the positive lr of visual detection for all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries was 3.73 (95% CI 3.1 to 4.4) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Positive LR 3.73 [3.1, 4.4]
51 studies
GRADE not reported
Positive LR 5.56 [3.7, 8.5]
12 studies
GRADE not reported
Positive LR 3.46 [2.8, 4.3]
67 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the Egyptian public health clinic setting, the positive predictive value of radiographic detection for advanced occlusal caries was 58.3% at an assumed prevalence of 19.0% (ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
PPV 58.3
38 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV 39.5
36 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the German private-practice setting, the positive predictive value of visual detection for all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries was 82.0% at an assumed prevalence of 45.0% (ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
PPV 82.0
12 studies
GRADE not reported
PPV 35.6
51 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the meta-analysis tailored to Germany, pooled sensitivity of radiographic detection for all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries was 36.0% (95% CI 20 to 56) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Sensitivity 36.0 [20, 56]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 38.6 [25, 54]
14 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 39.7 [25, 56]
11 studies
GRADE not reported
All proximal carious lesions · Permanent molar surfaces in diagnostic accuracy studies (mostly in vitro; clinical)
Pooled specificity for radiographic detection of all proximal lesions was 0.900 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.92).
1 finding from 1 review
Sensitivity for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the meta-analysis tailored to Germany, pooled sensitivity of visual detection for advanced occlusal caries was 43.7% (95% CI 37 to 51) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Sensitivity 43.7 [37, 51]
50 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 64.6 [57, 71]
94 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 75.1 [70, 81]
55 studies
GRADE not reported
Caries lesion arrestment · Children with dentin caries lesions in the outer half of dentin on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth
Resin sealing and conventional restorative treatment (resin composite) did not differ significantly for caries lesion arrestment in outer-half occlusal dentin caries of primary teeth (2 studies; low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Relative DOR by setting (FC, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions
No significant setting difference for FC (RDOR 2.96, 0.36 to 24.45).
2 findings from 1 review
Pulp exposure during caries removal · Patients with carious teeth, affecting any tooth surface(s), in unrestored primary and permanent teeth
Partial caries removal (single stage; residual dentinal caries… probably leads to lower pulp exposure during caries removal compared with complete caries removal (moderate certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
More advanced caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with approximal surfaces
Pooled specificity was reported, but the numerical estimate is not stated in the supplied text or attached figures; I²=89%; no GRADE rating was reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Restoration failure · Patients with carious teeth, affecting any tooth surface(s), in unrestored primary and permanent teeth
It is very uncertain whether partial caries removal (single stage; residual dentinal caries… changes failure of restorations compared with complete caries removal (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Progression of caries · Patients with carious teeth, affecting any tooth surface(s), in unrestored primary and permanent teeth
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Initial caries lesion detection · Primary teeth with occlusal surfaces
Pooled sensitivity was reported, but the numerical estimate is not stated in the supplied text or attached figures; I²=0%; no GRADE rating was reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Sensitivity 0.482 [0.433, 0.531]
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Specificity 0.815 [0.713, 0.892]
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions
Pen-type laser fluorescence on occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth (more advanced-lesion threshold): pooled DOR for LFpen lower than for LF and FC; heterogeneity I2=73%. Diagnostic accuracy was not formally graded (GRADE not used).
2 findings from 1 review
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of heterogeneity. 2013 All outcomesMore advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold · Laboratory (in vitro) and clinical (in vivo)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); pooled DOR for LFpen lower than for LF and FC. Heterogeneity I2=73%. Numeric pooled values not available in the…
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); accuracy similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=54%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported