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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Mutans streptococci present in oral samples at baseline vs Mutans streptococci absent in oral samples at baseline Development of any (cavitated or non-cavitated) carious lesion · Children younger than 6 years with caries-free primary dentition (no cavitated or non-cavitated lesions at baseline) · 6 months to 3.5 years, Sample: saliva Is Mutans Streptococci count a risk predictor of Early Childhood Caries? A systematic review and… (2023) | OR 3.92 [3.20, 4.80] | 9 studies · 2577 participants | Ungraded |
Dental agenesis vs No dental agenesis Oral health-related quality of life · Adolescents aged 10-19 years Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Growth stunting (linear growth retardation, low height-for-age) vs Children without growth stunting (normal height-for-age) Early childhood caries (def-t/dmft caries experience) · Children in early childhood (0-6 years) · Folayan et al. 2019 (Nigeria; adjusted, model 3) The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review. (2023) | APR 0.14 [0.03, 0.69] | 1 study · 370 participants | Ungraded |
Traumatic dental injury (dental trauma) vs No dental trauma Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | The impact of dental trauma sequelae on OHRQoL in adolescents was observed in five systematic reviews [31-35]. The studies show that uncomplicated traumatic injuries do not have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of… | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Carious dentin vs Sound dentin MMP-2 presence/activity · Human coronal carious dentin and sound dentin Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 7 studies · 373 participants | Very low |
Resin composite (RC) vs Glass ionomer cement (GIC) Secondary caries (occurrence) · Patients requiring dental restoration; permanent teeth · 1 year of follow-up Clinical efficacy of bioactive restorative materials in controlling secondary caries: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 3.05 [0.95, 9.79] | 6 studies · 479 participants | Low |
Surgery plus radiotherapy vs Radiotherapy alone Total mortality · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer · 3 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | HR 0.24 [0.10, 0.59] | 1 study · 35 participants | Very low |
Herbal mouthwash vs Placebo Plaque-related index · Orthodontic patients · ≤ 3 months The efficacy of mouthwashes on oral microorganisms and gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic… (2023) | PI was significantly reduced compared to placebo [56]; VPI was significantly reduced compared to placebo [41]; PI was insignificantly reduced compared to placebo [19]. | 3 studies | Low |
Carious dentin vs Sound dentin MMP-9 presence/activity · Human coronal carious dentin and sound dentin Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 3 studies | Very low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Gao,2013 [29]; model performance 4 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.48 [0.39, 0.58] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthwash vs Blank control Cariogenic bacteria (Mutans streptococci) · Orthodontic patients · ≤ 3 months The efficacy of mouthwashes on oral microorganisms and gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic… (2023) | Colony count of MS was significantly reduced compared to baseline according to two studies [33; 34]. | 2 studies | Very low |
Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash (adjunct to mechanical cleaning) vs Placebo mouthwash Pocket probing depth (PD) · Orthodontic patients (any age) undergoing orthodontic treatment (mostly fixed appliances) · <=3 months (short-term) The efficacy of mouthwashes on oral microorganisms and gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic… (2023) | PD was significantly reduced except mid-lingual site compared to placebo [32]. The changes of PD were significantly higher compared to placebo [56]. | 2 studies | Low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Pang,2021 [19]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.79 [0.69, 0.89] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Beck,1992 [24]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.44 [0.37, 0.51] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Hänsel Petersson,2015 [30]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 2.11 [1.82, 2.45] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Pang,2021 [19]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.00 [0.73, 1.38] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Growth stunting (linear growth retardation, low height-for-age) vs Children without growth stunting (normal height-for-age) Early childhood caries (def-t/dmft caries experience) · Children in early childhood (0-6 years) · Vieira et al. 2020 (Brazil) The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review. (2023) | Correlation (r) -0.091 | 1 study · 82 participants | Ungraded |
Clear aligners (CA) vs Conventional fixed orthodontic appliances (CF) Incidence of white spot lesions (WSLs) · Orthodontic patients undergoing comprehensive treatment (late mixed or permanent dentition, no active caries) · End of orthodontic treatment (varying) White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared… (2023) | Not meta-analyzed (heterogeneous methods; tooth-based vs patient-based incidence). 4 studies assessed WSL incidence; 3 (Albhaisi 2020 [12]; Buschang 2019 [29]; Dallel 2020 [30]) reported a lower risk of developing WSLs… | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Malocclusion vs No malocclusion Oral health-related quality of life · Adolescents aged 10-19 years Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Gao.2010 [17]; model performance 4 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.18 [0.16, 0.22] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Severe periodontitis vs No or less severe periodontal disease Oral health-related quality of life · Adolescents aged 10-19 years Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Temporization ≤2 weeks Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 1.47 [0.81, 2.31] | 1907 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Birpou,2019 [25]; model performance 13 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.66 [0.49, 0.90] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Oral health practices Strategies to integrate oral health into primary care: a systematic review. (2023) | 2 of 2 studies reported favourable outcomes | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Cheung et al. 2005 mandibular anterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 0 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Fontana,2011 [16]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.33 [0.24, 0.44] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Pre-operative caries fillings or crowns vs Intact teeth Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Pre-operative caries fillings or crowns Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 13 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Birpou,2019 [25]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.61 [0.42, 0.88] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Carious dentin vs Sound dentin MMP-9 presence/activity · Human ex vivo carious dentin (mostly coronal), natural caries lesions Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | MMP-9 may be increased in carious dentin when compared to sound dentin, but the evidence is very uncertain. | 3 studies · 292 participants | Very low |
Elective radical (comprehensive) neck dissection vs Elective selective neck dissection Total mortality · Adults with oral cavity cancer Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Total mortality: 2 trials reported HR but could not be pooled (different surgical procedures); neither indicated a difference (BHNCSG 1998 HR 1.14, 0.70 to 1.86; Bier 1994 HR 0.87, 0.41 to 1.83); 252 participants (2… | 2 studies · 252 participants | Very low |
38% SDF (one-time application) vs Inactive control (water or no treatment) New coronal carious lesions or fillings on permanent (first) molars (caries prevention) · Children with dental caries in permanent (first) molars · 18 months, Monse 2012 (SDF one-time, with toothbrushing programme) A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Mean new caries increment (surfaces) 0.09 | 1 study · 1016 participants | Ungraded |
38% SDF as indirect pulp capping material vs resin-modified glass ionomer cement as indirect pulp capping material secondary caries prevention · children with deep occlusal carious lesions in permanent molars · 12 months A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 49 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable prediction model of caries increment (>=3 predictors), e.g. logistic-regression or algorithm-based caries-risk models vs Alternative prediction model(s) within the same study, or no formal comparator (models compared descriptively; no between-model statistical test) Predictive performance for root caries increment (positive likelihood ratio, LR+) · Older adults (aged 52-95; mean 52-73) at risk of root caries increment · Follow-up >=1 year (included studies 1-5 years), Model development studies Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | No meta-analysis. Development root-caries models from 2 root-specific studies (Ritter 2016 [22], Sanchez-Garcia 2011 [23]) plus Powell 1991 [21] (coronal and root). Per-model LR+ (Table 2): Ritter 1.81-2.23 (5 models),… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Beck,1992 [24]; model performance 5 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.64 [1.47, 1.84] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Hänsel Petersson,2015 [30]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.32 [0.23, 0.45] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Root carious dentin vs Coronal carious dentin MMP-2 activity · Human root and coronal carious dentin Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 10 participants | Very low |
Pre-operative bone level < 35% vs Pre-operative bone level ≥ 35% Periapical pathosis incidence · Vital teeth · Bone level < 35% Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 1.4 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Dental caries (assessed by DMFT/deft/dmft, WHO criteria or PUFA) vs Individuals without dental caries Oral health-related quality of life (dichotomous: poor vs not) · Indians across all ages (children, adolescents, adults, elderly) · Adolescents 10-19 years (dichotomous) Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | OR 3.92 [2.06, 7.48] | 5 studies · 3171 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Angulo,1995 [13]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.36 [0.43, 4.31] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Beck,1992 [24]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.30 [0.24, 0.36] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Pang,2021 [19]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.86 [1.39, 2.48] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Gao,2013 [29]; model performance 9 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.52 [1.37, 1.68] | 1 study | Ungraded |
38% SDF (indirect pulp capping under resin composite) vs Resin-modified GIC (RMGIC) Secondary caries prevention in young permanent first molars · Children with deep occlusal caries in young permanent first molars (indirect pulp capping) · 12 months, Baraka 2022 (indirect pulp capping, Egypt) A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Baraka et al. (2022): no significant difference in secondary caries prevention between 38% SDF and RMGIC (no secondary caries in either group through 12 months; p=0.63 at 12 months; overall p=0.26). | 1 study · 49 participants | Ungraded |
Dental caries or greater caries severity vs No or less severe dental caries Oral health-related quality of life · Adolescents aged 10-19 years Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Beck,1992 [24]; model performance 8 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.48 [0.41, 0.56] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral health promotion programs vs No oral health promotion program Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | It was observed that health promotion programs have a positive effect on OHRQoL. Studies showed positive effects of OHPP on adolescentes OHRQoL with low methodological quality [38]. | NR | Ungraded |
Outer carious dentin (by lesion depth/location) vs Inner carious dentin MMP-8 location/depth · Human ex vivo carious dentin Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | Mixed: Kuhn 2016 no statistical difference by location; Shimada 2009 higher MMP-8 in outer vs inner carious dentin (very low certainty) | 2 studies | Very low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Fontana,2011 [16]; model performance 6 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.44 [0.35, 0.56] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Completed orthodontic treatment vs No previous or incomplete orthodontic treatment Oral health-related quality of life · Adolescents aged 10-19 years Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years, Radiographic pulp-status assessment Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.95 [2.43, 8.29] | 1853 participants | Ungraded |