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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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination) Specificity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Proximal surfaces (non-CBCT) Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.89 [0.84, 0.93] | NR | Ungraded |
Visual or visual-tactile classification systems (any system: ICDAS, ERK, Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS, or unspecified) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Specificity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Occlusal surface Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.74 [0.66, 0.81] | NR | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (E-speed film) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 127.56 [7.38, 2203.70] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (D-speed film) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.65 [0.57, 0.73] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2095) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.88 [0.81, 0.93] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Digital bitewing radiography, sensor-based (CCD/CMOS) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (caries detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Caries detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.35 [0.26, 0.45] | 12 studies | Ungraded |
Caesarean section (C-section) delivery vs Vaginal delivery Prevalence of early childhood caries (primary dentition) · Toddlers and preschool children, 2 to 6 years of age (primary dentition) · Caries assessed at 8 months to 6 years of age Is the mode of childbirth delivery linked to the prevalence of early childhood caries? A systematic review… (2021) | OR 1.48 [1.07, 2.05] | 11 studies · 58682 participants | Very low |
Transillumination and optical coherence tomography devices (all illumination devices combined: NIR, OCT, and FOTI/DIFOTI) vs Reference standard: histology, or enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs (also operative excavation, tooth separation, or microcomputed tomography) Specificity for detection of enamel/early caries · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (clinical/in vivo studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo; in vitro no limit if stored appropriately) Transillumination and optical coherence tomography for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.87 [0.82, 0.92] | 23 studies | Low |
Caries severity measurement (mean dmft for primary dentition; mean DMFT for permanent dentition) vs None (descriptive prevalence review) Caries severity/experience (mean dmft and DMFT) · Healthy children and adolescents (primary and permanent dentition) in the United Arab Emirates Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Mean dmft (primary dentition) ranged from 0.75 (non-Emirati preschoolers, Abu Dhabi) to 10.9 (children at a pediatric dentistry department in Al Ain); among Emiratis mean dmft ranged 3.07-10.9. Mean DMFT (permanent… | NR | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2095) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.75 [0.58, 0.86] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Observed population vs Not applicable Dental erosion prevalence · Five-year-old preschool children in Sharjah · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 58.8 | 1 study · 403 participants | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence pen (DIAGNOdent 2190/Pen) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.63 [0.37, 0.83] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (E-speed film) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.80 [0.71, 0.87] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Visual or visual-tactile classification systems (any system: ICDAS, ERK, Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS, or unspecified) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity/specificity) for enamel caries, not meta-analyzed · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Smooth surface Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Smooth surfaces reported by 2 datasets (Nakagawa 2013; Shi 2000) but excluded from the surface meta-analysis owing to sparsity; no summary sensitivity or specificity estimated. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Visual examination (VE) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the 1/3 dentin caries detection level (Ekstrand; D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 16.6 [4.85, 56.79] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Fibre-optic transillumination (FOTI) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 37.77 [13.69, 104.19] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination) Sensitivity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.60 [0.51, 0.68] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Digital bitewing radiography, phosphor plate (PSP) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.92 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (E-speed film) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 60.37 [3.31, 1100.70] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Observed population vs Not applicable Mean dmft/DMFT · School children aged 15-17 years in Dubai schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | MEAN 2.70 | 1 study · 2063 participants | Ungraded |
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances White spot lesions (WSLs), tooth level · Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment · 3 months, Adults Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | RR 0.72 [0.60, 0.86] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Digital bitewing radiography, sensor-based (CCD/CMOS) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.95 [0.93, 0.97] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
0-19 remaining teeth vs 20-32 remaining teeth Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events (morbidity and mortality) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Crude Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 2.27 [1.50, 3.43] | 1 study · 4380 participants | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (F-speed film) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.97 [0.71, 0.998] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Electrical conductance devices (electronic caries monitor (ECM) and/or CarieScan Pro), used as an adjunct to clinical oral examination vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual examination (with or without radiographs) Specificity (test accuracy for detecting enamel caries) · Children, adolescents, or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of early enamel caries (in vivo), or… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Electrical conductance for the detection of dental caries (2021) · Cochrane | SoF findings (HSROC; no summary operating point reported): 'ECM: specificity from 0.73 to 0.96 ... CarieScan Pro: specificity from 0 to 1.00'. Across all 7 studies (8 datasets), covering 719 tooth surfaces or sites (no… | 7 studies | Very low |
Conventional bitewing radiography (D-speed film) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.73 [0.53, 0.87] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Visual or visual-tactile classification systems (any system: ICDAS, ERK, Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS, or unspecified) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Sensitivity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Approximal surface Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.80 [0.60, 0.92] | NR | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2190/pen) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.82 [0.58, 0.94] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Fibre-optic transillumination (FOTI) / digital fibre-optic transillumination (DIFOTI) vs Reference standard: histology, or enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs (also operative excavation, tooth separation, or microcomputed tomography) Specificity for detection of enamel/early caries · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (clinical/in vivo studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo; in vitro no limit if stored appropriately) Transillumination and optical coherence tomography for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.92 [0.86, 0.96] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Visual examination (VE) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.59 | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2190/pen) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (caries detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Caries detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.89 [0.76, 0.95] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence pen (DIAGNOdent 2190/Pen) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.78 [0.44, 0.94] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Selective carious tissue removal (selective excavation, SE) vs Stepwise carious tissue removal (SW) Efficiency, costs or cost-effectiveness · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… · Permanent and primary dentition Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | Cost-effectiveness reported narratively: SE found more cost-effective than SW in permanent (Labib 2019) and primary teeth (Elhennawy 2021); not GRADE-rated. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence pen (DIAGNOdent 2190/Pen) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.77 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Other visual classification systems (unspecified or unique systems, e.g. Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Sensitivity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.81 [0.65, 0.91] | 16 studies | Ungraded |
Private day care vs Public day care Dental caries prevalence · Preschool children in Sharjah day cares · Public day cares Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 22 | 1 study · 435 participants | Ungraded |
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy Childhood dental caries · Children in cross-sectional studies · Sensitivity: excluded Iida et al. 2007 Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.57 [1.47, 1.67] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Visual classification: ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Sensitivity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.88 [0.81, 0.92] | 36 studies | Ungraded |
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy Childhood dental caries · Children in cross-sectional studies · Sensitivity: excluded Tanaka et al. 2015 Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.57 [1.47, 1.67] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism in the VDR gene (C allele / variant genotype) vs CT genotype vs TT genotype (heterozygous model) Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Dentition: Deciduous tooth decay Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 1.40 [0.91, 2.15] | 2 studies · 929 participants | Ungraded |
Resin infiltration (Icon) vs Non-invasive treatment Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Patients with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions · Longest available follow-up, Caries risk: low Infiltration and sealing for managing non-cavitated proximal lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 0.24 [0.08, 0.72] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Down syndrome vs Healthy controls Gingivitis prevalence · Children with Down syndrome in Dubai · Children with Down syndrome Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 65.4 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · General population (children and adults) in East Africa · Sudan Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | Prevalence 0.578 [0.360, 0.797] | NR | Ungraded |
Autism spectrum disorder vs Not applicable Generalized gingivitis prevalence · Autistic children and young adults in Dubai · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 70.4 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Higher number of lost teeth (per one additional lost tooth) vs Fewer lost teeth (continuous, per-tooth increment) All-cause mortality (ACM) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Crude Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 1.01 [1.00, 1.03] | 3 studies · 2219 participants | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (E-speed film) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 10.69 [3.67, 31.15] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy Dental caries · Children · Study region: United States Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.68 [1.01, 2.79] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Crohn's disease (CD) vs Healthy controls without IBD Periodontal disease (periodontitis) coincidence · Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and controls without IBD; adults, both sexes · Crohn's disease (CD) vs healthy controls Oral Health Status in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review. (2021) | OR 2.10 [1.59, 2.78] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Any of the interventions (CR, SE, SW, sealing with sealant materials, Hall Technique, or NRCC) vs Each other, placebo, or no treatment Subjective evaluation of the treatments by participants · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | We found no studies reporting subjective evaluation of the treatments by participants. | 0 studies | No studies |
Edentulous (0 remaining teeth) vs 20-32 remaining teeth Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events (morbidity and mortality) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | RR 2.65 [1.77, 3.98] | 2 studies · 130669 participants | High |