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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Early childhood caries / severe early childhood caries vs Caries-free children Growth stunting / low linear growth (height-for-age z-score) · Children in early childhood (0-6 years) · Khanh et al. 2015 (Vietnam; pulp-involved caries) The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review. (2023) | MD 0.66 | 1 study · 593 participants | 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 5 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Dental fluorosis (assessed by TFI or WHO criteria) vs Individuals without dental fluorosis Oral health-related quality of life (continuous), measured by OIDP / CPQ11-14 · Indian children and young adults Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | Dental fluorosis and QoL (continuous, OIDP/CPQ11-14): a significant difference between individuals with and without fluorosis on OHRQoL (Nagarajappa 2015, Shyam 2020). Two studies, 3000 individuals; not pooled. | 2 studies · 3000 participants | Ungraded |
Resin composite (RC) 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 1.60 [0.85, 3.00] | 8 studies · 438 participants | Low |
Surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy vs Chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) Total mortality · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer · oral cavity Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Total mortality: study reported survival significantly better with surgery and RT vs chemoradiotherapy, but no useable data; 32 participants (1 RCT, Iyer 2015 oral cavity subgroup). | 1 study · 32 participants | Very low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Root caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Hayes,2017 [33]; model performance 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.88 [1.53, 2.29] | 1 study | Ungraded |
CPP-ACP enamel pre-treatment for remineralization of white spot lesions before bonding metallic orthodontic brackets vs No enamel pre-treatment before bonding, or treatment with another material Shear bond strength (SBS) of metallic orthodontic brackets · Demineralized enamel of extracted permanent human teeth · Before bonding, Remineralization of WSLs (demineralized enamel) Shear bond strength of metallic brackets bonded to enamel pretreated with CPP-ACP: a systematic review and… (2023) | MD 1.501 [-0.630, 3.632] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Favorable socioeconomic and family environment vs Less favorable socioeconomic and family environment 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) · 2-year follow-up, Sokal-Gutierrez et al. 2016 (Ecuador; pre vs post intervention) The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review. (2023) | Pre/post ECC prevalence, dmft, and deep-caries proportion (2-year follow-up) Age 1: prevalence 53.8% to 30.3%, dmft 2.1 to 0.9; Age 2: prevalence 82% to 60%, dmft 5.3 to 3.0, deep caries 19% to 12% (pre vs post) | 1 study · 1575 participants | Ungraded |
Compomer vs Resin composite (RC) Secondary caries (occurrence) · Patients requiring dental restoration; deciduous (primary) teeth · 1 year of follow-up, Compomer Clinical efficacy of bioactive restorative materials in controlling secondary caries: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 0.41 [0.02, 8.34] | 2 studies · 250 participants | Ungraded |
P11-4 + fluoride varnish 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 -0.96 [-1.44, -0.48] | 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 15 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.68 [0.50, 0.93] | 1 study | 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) · 6 months to 3.5 years, Microbiological assessment: quantitative (culture/CFU counting) Is Mutans Streptococci count a risk predictor of Early Childhood Caries? A systematic review and… (2023) | OR 3.82 [2.01, 7.26] | 6 studies · 732 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash (adjunct to mechanical cleaning) vs Blank control (no mouthwash; before-after comparison) Gingival Index (GI, Loe & Silness 1963) · 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) | WMD -0.54 [-0.96, -0.13] | 6 studies · 274 participants | Very low |
Indirect restorations vs Follow-up duration Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · > 5–10 years, > 5–10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.53 [3.74, 7.64] | 2443 participants | Ungraded |
Superselective neck dissection vs Selective neck dissection Disease-free survival (new disease, progression, and mortality) · Adults with oral cavity cancer (tongue or floor of mouth) and clinically negative neck nodes · 36 months Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Disease-free survival: Pandey 2018 reported 83% (superselective) vs 91% (selective) at median 36 months, not significant (P=0.69); unable to analyse (variable follow-up); 32 participants (1 RCT). | 1 study · 32 participants | Very low |
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 8 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.60 [0.43, 0.83] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing pulpotomy (partial or full) · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-2 years, Treatment performed: pulpotomy (FP/PP) Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.36 [0.47, 11.75] | 6 studies · 341 participants | Low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Disney,1992 [15]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.49 [0.42, 0.58] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Disney,1992 [15]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 3.69 [3.05, 4.45] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Biodentine Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · 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) | CH vs Biodentine was investigated in 2 RCTs for the primary outcome; not pooled. Biodentine appeared to perform better than CH (and than Theracal) in the per-trial forest plots (Figure 8). Weak evidence. | 2 studies | 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 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.55 [1.13, 2.13] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Root caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Hayes,2017 [33]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.35 [0.23, 0.52] | 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 5 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.13 [1.03, 1.22] | 1 study | 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 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.11 [0.08, 0.13] | 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 12 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.58 [0.40, 0.84] | 1 study | Ungraded |
38% SDF plus KI (annual) vs CPP-ACP (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, twice daily) Remineralization/arrest of early enamel carious lesions · Patients with early enamel carious lesions on permanent molars · 24 months, Hamdi 2022 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) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Sánchez-Pérez,2009 [20]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.27 [0.16, 0.46] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Oral health-related quality of life (impact) · Untreated fractured tooth vs no trauma Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | Relative risk (reporting impact) Fourfold (4x) greater risk | 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+ 1.83 [1.52, 2.19] | 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,2015 [30]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.55 [0.47, 0.63] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Irradiated carious dentin vs Non-irradiated carious dentin MMP-2 activity/expression · Human carious dentin from irradiated and non-irradiated subjects Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 36 participants | Ungraded |
Caries-associated bacterial biofilm vs Sound/control tissue (sound dentin, sound root, or enamel caries) Bacterial collagenolytic enzymatic activity · Human ex vivo carious lesions / caries-associated biofilm Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | Results are inconclusive: protein-degrading bacteria isolated from root caries biofilm were capable of degrading collagen (Prevotella, Actinobaculum, Propionibacterium predominant; proportion 7% in root caries)… | 2 studies · 9 participants | Ungraded |
Polyether impression material vs Polyvinyl siloxane impression material Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Polyether Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.02 [2.47, 5.92] | 2985 participants | Ungraded |
38% SDF varnish plus oral health instruction vs oral health instruction plus water new root-surface carious lesions or restorations · older adults with root caries · 36 months A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Preventative fraction (%) 71 | 1 study · 306 participants | Ungraded |
Sentinel node biopsy (neck dissection only if biopsy positive) vs Elective neck dissection Adverse events associated with treatment · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Adverse events: no adverse events were reported (Garrel 2020). | 1 study · 279 participants | Very low |
PET-CT following chemoradiotherapy (neck dissection only if no/incomplete response) vs Planned neck dissection before or after chemoradiotherapy Total mortality · Adults with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer with nodal disease (stage N2 or N3) · 3 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | HR 0.92 [0.65, 1.31] | 1 study · 564 participants | Moderate |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth · 1 to 3 years, Unadjusted; all treatment modalities and root maturities Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 2.94 [1.93, 4.49] | 10 studies · 900 participants | Low |
Herbal mouthwash vs Placebo Gingival inflammation-related index · Orthodontic patients · ≤ 3 months The efficacy of mouthwashes on oral microorganisms and gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic… (2023) | GBI was significantly reduced compared to placebo [41]; GBI was significantly reduced compared to placebo [56]; BI was significantly reduced compared to placebo [40]. | 3 studies | Very low |
Elective radical (comprehensive) neck dissection vs Elective selective neck dissection Adverse events associated with treatment · Adults with oral cavity cancer Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Adverse events (BHNCSG 1998): flap necrosis, wound infection, fistula, vascular rupture, haematoma, seroma, chyle fistula; no complications in 45/76 modified radical ND and 54/72 supraomohyoid ND; 2 vs 1 postoperative… | 1 study · 148 participants | Low |
Dental erosion vs No dental erosion Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | While dental erosion and bruxism have not been shown to impact the quality of life of adolescents [26]. | NR | Ungraded |
Carious dentin before cavity sealing vs Carious dentin after cavity sealing MMP-8 expression/activity · Human ex vivo carious dentin under sealed cavities · Before vs after sealing (Kuhn 2016: 60 days follow-up) Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | MMP-8 may be increased in the dentin before when compared to dentin after cavity sealing; MMP-8 significantly reduced after 60 days of sealing (Kuhn et al., 2016; Chibinski et al., 2014). | 2 studies · 48 participants | Very low |
Poor / irregular toothbrushing vs Regular toothbrushing Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | The systematic review reports factors that physical disability, visual impairment, mental disorders, poor diet and irregular brushing negatively impact OHRQoL [36]. | NR | 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) The effectiveness and safety of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of sialorrhea with Parkinson's… (2023) | SMD -0.98 [-1.27, -0.70] | 9 studies · 224 participants | High |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical and radiographic success (composite) · Patients with carious pulp exposure in mature permanent teeth · ≥6 months; follow-up range 1-3 years, Root maturation: mature Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 3.34 [1.81, 6.17] | 5 studies · 537 participants | Moderate |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · >10 years, Follow-up >10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 4.05 [0.89, 9.36] | 2656 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs CPP-ACFP 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 0.18 [-0.29, 0.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Patients with carious pulp exposure in permanent teeth undergoing direct pulp capping · 1 to 3 years, Direct pulp capping Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious… (2023) | OR 3.10 [1.66, 5.79] | 4 studies · 559 participants | Moderate |
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 6 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.55 [0.48, 0.63] | 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 9 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 2.00 [1.35, 2.95] | 1 study | Ungraded |