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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwash vs Blank control (no mouthwash; before-after comparison) Plaque-related index · 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) | BBPI was significantly reduced compared to blank control [47]. PI was significantly reduced compared to blank control [50]. The amount of dental plaque was significantly reduced compared to baseline [38]. | 3 studies | Very low |
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 (negative 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. Per-model LR- (Table 2): Ritter 0.36-0.48 (5 models), Powell 0.20 (0.04-0.90), Sanchez-Garcia 0.86 (0.80-0.93). Powell reached the useful rule-out threshold (LR- 0.20). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
SDF plus potassium iodide vs Split into two contrasts: (1) TCS paste (arrest 100%); (2) CPP-ACP (arrest 100%); SDF+KI arrest 54.8% at 24 months, p<.001 caries arrest · Patients with early enamel carious lesions on permanent molars (n=45) · 24 months A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Caries arrest (%) 54.8 | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACP Change in lesion metric measured by QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area · People or specimens with white spot lesions or early caries lesions · 2 weeks to 36 months Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.78 [-1.33, -0.24] | NR | Ungraded |
38% SDF one-time application vs Information unavailable new carious lesions or fillings · children with caries in permanent first molars · 12 months A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Preventative fraction (%) 57 | 1 study · 141 participants | Ungraded |
Sentinel node biopsy (neck dissection only if biopsy positive) vs Elective neck dissection Locoregional recurrence · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer · 3 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | HR 1.04 [0.91, 1.19] | 1 study · 279 participants | Low |
Sodium fluoride (5% NaF, one-time [Mauro] or every 6 months [Liu]) vs Control (water or unspecified) New coronal caries in permanent molars (caries prevention) · Children with dental caries in permanent (first) molars · 12 months, Mauro 2004 (5% NaF one-time) A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Prevented Fraction 47 | 1 study · 141 participants | Ungraded |
Self-assembling peptide P11-4 vs Control (placebo / no active therapy) Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.56 [-0.96, -0.15] | 4 studies | 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 11 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.14 [0.06, 0.33] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Compomer vs Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) Secondary caries (occurrence) · Patients requiring dental restoration; deciduous (primary) teeth · 2 or more years of follow-up Clinical efficacy of bioactive restorative materials in controlling secondary caries: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 1.68 [0.87, 3.25] | 5 studies · 207 participants | Low |
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, Polyvinyl siloxane impression material Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.17 [1.55, 5.34] | 636 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Hänsel Petersson,2010 [31]; model performance 5 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.50 [0.28, 0.90] | 1 study | Ungraded |
PET-CT following chemoradiotherapy (neck dissection only if no/incomplete response) vs Planned neck dissection before or after chemoradiotherapy Recurrence · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer with nodal disease (stage N2 or N3) Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Recurrence: outcome not reported in a usable way (Mehanna 2017: nodal recurrence 3 vs 1; distant metastases 21 vs 23). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Herbal mouthwash vs Placebo 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 placebo [52]; colony count was slightly reduced compared to placebo in a short time in one study [40]. | 2 studies | Very low |
38% SDF plus KI (applied annually) vs Tricalcium silicate (TCS) paste (applied twice daily) Remineralization/arrest of early enamel carious lesions · Patients with early enamel carious lesions on permanent molars · 24 months, Hamdi 2022 (early enamel lesions, Egypt) A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Proportion of lesions arrested (%) 54.8 | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Root caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Sánchez-García,2011 [23]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR- 0.86 [0.80, 0.93] | 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 14 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.58 [0.42, 0.80] | 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 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.33 [0.28, 0.39] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Pulp necrosis · Reversible hydrocolloid impression material Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 1.19 | 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,2010 [31]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.41 [0.29, 0.59] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Holgerson,2009 [32]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.61 [0.40, 0.94] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Gum chewing (sugar-free) vs No gum chewing (control) Salivary flow rate, stimulated and/or unstimulated (narrative synthesis) · Elderly (>60 years) and medically compromised adults with xerostomia / dry mouth · Various (single session to 12 months) The effect of gum chewing on xerostomia and salivary flow rate in elderly and medically compromised… (2023) | Narrative vote-count: of 19 studies measuring stimulated and/or unstimulated saliva flow rate, 9 found a positive effect of gum chewing [17,18,22,24,27,35,36,38,39] and 10 detected no effect… | 19 studies | 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 coronal caries increment (negative likelihood ratio, LR-) · Children and adolescents (aged 2-19) at risk of coronal caries increment (caries onset or progression) · 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. Per-model LR- (Table 2) for the 8 development studies ranged roughly 0.11-0.94 (e.g. Angulo 0.94, Demers 0.14-0.40, Gao 2010 0.11-0.30). Overall across all 66 models LR- ranged 0.0-1.1; LR-<=0.20… | 8 studies | 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 8 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.31 [0.09, 1.04] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Kontakiotis et al. 2015 maxillary anterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 9.4 | 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 7 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.44 [0.35, 0.56] | 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+ 1.34 [1.26, 1.43] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Before cavity sealing vs After cavity sealing MMP-8 expression/activity · Human carious dentin · 60 days after cavity sealing Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 48 participants | Very low |
Glass ionomer (GIC) permanent cement vs Glass ionomer cement or zinc phosphate cement Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · GIC Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.33 [2.56, 9.03] | 182 participants | 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 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.33 [0.25, 0.45] | 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,2010 [31]; model performance 4 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.51 [1.30, 1.76] | 1 study | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish (gold standard) Remineralization / reduction in lesion severity (change in QLF, laser fluorescence, or lesion area) · Patients with white spot lesions / early caries lesions (WSLs/ECLs), including orthodontic and non-orthodontic… Comparison of therapies of white spot lesions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023) | SMD -0.71 [-1.13, -0.29] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Root caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Ritter,2016 [22]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.48 [0.32, 0.71] | 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,2010 [31]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.45 [0.33, 0.61] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) vs Normal vitamin D level (serum 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L) Dental caries · Children (<19 years) Correlation between vitamin D levels in serum and the risk of dental caries in children: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 1.22 [1.18, 1.25] | 13 studies · 19205 participants | Ungraded |
Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection into salivary glands vs Placebo injection Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) score · Adults with Parkinson's disease and sialorrhea (drooling) · Approximately 1 month post-injection (one study ~1 week), BoNT type A The effectiveness and safety of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of sialorrhea with Parkinson's… (2023) | SMD -0.80 [-1.25, -0.36] | 4 studies · 88 participants | 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, Resin permanent cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.37 [1.90, 5.23] | 738 participants | 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− 0.60 [0.49, 0.74] | 1 study | 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, Eugenol-based temporary cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.34 [1.66, 5.58] | 7043 participants | Ungraded |
Pulp-involved caries vs No pulp-involved caries Body mass index-for-age z score · Children aged 1–6 years · Pulp-involved caries The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review. (2023) | MD 1.18 | 1 study · 593 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) vs Normal vitamin D level (serum 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L) Dental caries · Children with permanent dentition (>12 years) · Permanent dentition Correlation between vitamin D levels in serum and the risk of dental caries in children: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 1.28 [1.21, 1.35] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Pulp necrosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · ≤5 years, Follow-up ≤5 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.53 [2.10, 5.31] | 5532 participants | Ungraded |
Malocclusion vs No malocclusion Poor oral health-related quality of life · Indians Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | OR 5.44 [1.61, 18.39] | 6 studies · 3720 participants | Very low |
Tooth location Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Cheung et al. 2005 maxillary anterior Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 30.2 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Carious dentin vs Sound dentin MMP-8 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 | 2 studies | Very low |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth of mixed/unspecified root maturation · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-2 years, Root maturation: mixed Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 1.11 [0.17, 7.11] | 3 studies · 257 participants | Very low |
Resin sealant (one-time) vs Control (water) New coronal caries in permanent molars (caries prevention) · Children with dental caries in permanent (first) molars · 24 months, Liu 2012 (resin sealant, fissure site) A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Prevented Fraction 65 | 1 study · 501 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) vs Normal vitamin D level (serum 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L) Dental caries · Children with deciduous dentition (<6 years) · Deciduous dentition Correlation between vitamin D levels in serum and the risk of dental caries in children: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 1.68 [1.57, 1.79] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
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) · 2 years, Follow-up: 2 years Is Mutans Streptococci count a risk predictor of Early Childhood Caries? A systematic review and… (2023) | OR 2.53 [1.22, 5.23] | 4 studies · 297 participants | Ungraded |
Biodentine vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Tooth discoloration · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing DPC or pulpotomy · ≥6 months follow-up Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | Tooth discoloration was recorded in 4 trials; the 3 Biodentine-vs-MTA trials consistently showed more discoloration with MTA (Awawdeh 2018: 27/35 MTA vs 0/34 BD; Parinyaprom 2018: 11/31 MTA vs 0/29 BD; Uesrichai 2019:… | 3 studies | Ungraded |