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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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 11 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.85 [1.29, 2.65] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations vs Follow-up duration Periapical pathosis incidence · Vital teeth · > 5–10 years, > 5–10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.88 [1.95, 6.45] | 1864 participants | Ungraded |
Female sex vs Male sex 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 |
Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash (adjunct to mechanical cleaning) vs Placebo mouthwash 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 -0.45 [-0.70, -0.20] | 3 studies · 98 participants | Low |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Christian,2020 [27]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.09 [0.90, 1.33] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Functional edentulism (<20 remaining teeth) vs Individuals without functional edentulism Oral health-related quality of life (dichotomous: poor vs not) · Indian elderly (>60 years) Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | Functional edentulism vs none: studies show inconsistency; one study found a significant association (Pushpanjali 2013), one did not (Shivakumar 2018); 368 participants, 2 observational studies; Very low certainty (Fig… | 2 studies · 368 participants | Very low |
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 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.24 [0.21, 0.29] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Demers,1992 [14]; model performance 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.60 [1.40, 1.83] | 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 9 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.55 [1.13, 2.13] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Strategies to integrate oral health into primary care (e.g., training/education of non-dental primary care professionals, policy/financing and health-insurance changes, colocation of dental and medical services, interprofessional and community-health-worker collaboration, teledentistry, integrated oral health assessment tools, school-based activities) vs No integration / usual care (or pre-integration baseline; many included studies uncontrolled) Barriers and facilitators to implementation of the integration strategy (qualitative) · People of all ages and abilities served through primary care and related settings (children, pregnant women, older… Strategies to integrate oral health into primary care: a systematic review. (2023) | The most commonly studied qualitative outcomes were barriers and facilitators related to the strategy implementation process. Reported barriers were time and staff constraints, resource limitations and lack of… | 15 studies | Ungraded |
Dental caries vs Caries-free CA VI concentration · Participants with dental caries and caries-free participants Associations of the activity and concentration of carbonic anhydrase VI with susceptibility to dental… (2023) | SMD -0.66 [-1.00, -0.32] | 2 studies · 141 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc polycarboxylate permanent cement Pulp necrosis incidence · Vital teeth · Zinc polycarboxylate Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 1.1 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Self-assembling peptide P11-4 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 -0.31 [-0.71, 0.09] | 5 studies | 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 mixed dentition (6 to 12 years) · Mixed dentition Correlation between vitamin D levels in serum and the risk of dental caries in children: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 1.08 [1.04, 1.12] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Self-assembling peptide P11-4 vs CPP-ACP 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 -0.38 [-0.87, 0.11] | NR | Ungraded |
Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection into salivary glands vs Placebo injection Adverse events (participants with >=1 adverse event) · 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) | RD 0.15 [0.05, 0.24] | 10 studies · 249 participants | Low |
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: semi-quantitative (Dentocult/commercial kit) Is Mutans Streptococci count a risk predictor of Early Childhood Caries? A systematic review and… (2023) | OR 4.36 [3.53, 5.39] | 6 studies · 2278 participants | Ungraded |
Indirect restorations (crowns, fixed partial dentures, inlays/onlays/veneers) vs None (single-group incidence) Periapical pathosis · Vital teeth restored with indirect restorations · Follow-up ≤5 to >10 years Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.63 [2.05, 5.63] | 15 studies · 5376 participants | Low |
Periodontal disease assessed by loss of attachment (LOA / clinical attachment loss) vs Individuals without periodontal disease (by LOA) Oral health-related quality of life (continuous), measured by GOHAI · Indian adults and elderly (police, teachers, general and institutionalised populations) Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | Periodontal disease (LOA) and QoL (continuous, GOHAI): one study reported a significant negative impact (Rekhi 2016), one found no significant association (Marya 2020). Not pooled. | 2 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 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 4.81 [3.64, 6.35] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Strategies integrating oral health into primary care Dental caries estimates · People receiving or providing primary care; all ages, ability types, and locations Strategies to integrate oral health into primary care: a systematic review. (2023) | 6 of 7 studies reported improved dental caries outcomes; 1 (Vichayanrat 2012) reported no change | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Clear aligners (CA) vs Conventional fixed orthodontic appliances (CF) Plaque accumulation (Plaque Index) · Orthodontic patients undergoing comprehensive treatment (late mixed or permanent dentition, no active caries) · Maximum reported time-point per study (range 1-18 months) White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared… (2023) | SMD -1.58 [-2.57, -0.58] | 8 studies · 357 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 7 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.87 [1.49, 2.35] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Outer carious dentin (by lesion depth/location) vs Inner carious dentin MMP-9 location/depth · Human ex vivo carious dentin Presence of host and bacterial-derived collagenolytic proteases in carious dentin: a systematic review of ex… (2023) | The evidence is very uncertain about the MMP-9 expression in different locations and lesion depth, as studies showed opposite effect directions. | 3 studies | 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 11 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.54 [0.38, 0.77] | 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 6 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.97 [1.33, 2.90] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Functional edentulism (<20 remaining teeth) vs Individuals without functional edentulism Oral health-related quality of life (continuous), measured by GOHAI · Indian elderly (>60 years) Impact of oral conditions on oral health-related quality of life among Indians- a systematic review and… (2023) | SMD 0.31 [-0.37, 0.99] | 4 studies · 1146 participants | Very 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, Subjective pulp-status assessment Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 3.91 [1.86, 6.66] | 3181 participants | Ungraded |
CPP-ACP 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 0.25 [-0.24, 0.73] | 2 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 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.88 [1.38, 2.55] | 1 study | 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+ 3.85 [2.04, 7.27] | 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 3 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 3.26 [2.73, 3.91] | 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 1 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.34 [0.26, 0.46] | 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 10 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.27 [0.19, 0.39] | 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-free temporary cement Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations:… (2023) | Proportion 5.77 [3.72, 8.24] | 639 participants | Ungraded |
Toothache / dental pain vs No dental pain Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | Toothache, DMT and tooth loss have a high impact on OHRQoL in adolescentes [26]. There is low evidence that dental pain has a negative impact on OHRQoL [37]. | NR | Ungraded |
Periodontal disease (periodontitis; clinical attachment loss >=4 mm) vs Adults without periodontal disease (healthy periodontal status; CAL <=3 mm) Root caries (presence of root caries) · Adults (mean age ~53 years) Is there an association between periodontal disease and root caries? A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2023) | OR 1.38 [1.25, 1.53] | 2 studies · 7664 participants | Low |
38% SDF one-time application without brushing programme vs no treatment without brushing programme new carious lesions or fillings · schoolchildren with caries in permanent first molars · 18 months A systematic review on the effect of silver diamine fluoride for management of dental caries in permanent… (2023) | Mean new caries increment (surfaces) 0.12 | 1 study · 1016 participants | Ungraded |
Multivariable caries prediction model vs Additional prediction model(s) Coronal caries increment · Individuals of all ages · Follow-up ≥1 year, Dolic,2020 [28]; model performance 2 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 1.93 [1.21, 3.09] | 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+ 1.93 [1.59, 2.34] | 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 4 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR+ 2.29 [1.48, 3.55] | 1 study | 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 4 Multivariable prediction models of caries increment: a systematic review and critical appraisal. (2023) | LR− 0.42 [0.28, 0.64] | 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+ 1.52 [1.11, 2.09] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Access to dental care / health services vs No / limited access to dental care Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Adolescents (10-19 years) Oral-health-related quality of life in adolescents: umbrella review. (2023) | having parents who can provide dental care and safe housing are positive predictors for OHRQoL. access to dental care and the performance of health promotion programs are directly proportional to OHRQoL in adolescents. | NR | Ungraded |
Superselective neck dissection vs Selective neck dissection Recurrence · Adults with oral cavity cancer (tongue or floor of mouth) and clinically negative neck nodes Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane | Recurrence: outcome not reported in a usable way in either study. | 0 studies | No studies |
Treatment of traumatic dental injury vs No treatment of traumatic dental injury 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 |
Glass ionomer cement (GIC) vs Resin composite (RC) Secondary caries (occurrence) · Patients requiring dental restoration; permanent teeth · 2 or more years of follow-up Clinical efficacy of bioactive restorative materials in controlling secondary caries: a systematic review… (2023) | RR 0.50 [0.28, 0.91] | 14 studies · 1571 participants | Moderate |
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+ 7.09 [3.29, 15.30] | 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+ 1.60 [1.15, 2.22] | 1 study | 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 (positive 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 (heterogeneity precluded pooling); performance given per model as LR+ recalculated by the review authors (Table 2). Across the 8 development studies (23 coronal models) LR+ spanned roughly 1.31-10.26… | 8 studies | Ungraded |