Proximal caries detection: specificity · Extracted human teeth (in vitro); permanent teeth, proximal (approximal) surfaces
In vitro, QLF pooled specificity for proximal caries detection was 0.74 (3 permanent-teeth studies; no primary-dentition data; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Specificity 0.74
3 studies
GRADE not reported
Positive likelihood ratio · Patients undergoing dental caries detection on dental images (teeth/surfaces across imaging modalities)
A positive AI test raises caries probability substantially (LR+ 10.44; positive post-test probability 79%); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Log diagnostic odds ratio · Patients undergoing dental caries detection on dental images (teeth/surfaces across imaging modalities)
AI algorithms show strong pooled discriminative accuracy for dental caries (log DOR 4.37; DOR 70.9); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Proximal caries detection: sensitivity · Patients (in vivo); permanent and primary teeth, proximal (approximal) surfaces
In vivo, QLF pooled sensitivity for proximal caries detection was 0.74 (4 studies; ungraded).
2 findings from 1 review
Sensitivity 0.74
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Sensitivity 0.76
3 studies
GRADE not reported
Negative likelihood ratio · Patients undergoing dental caries detection on dental images (teeth/surfaces across imaging modalities)
A negative AI test lowers caries probability substantially (LR- 0.17; negative post-test probability 6%); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Mineral loss (transversal microradiography) · Enamel/dentin specimens with initial caries lesions (or sound surfaces) in intraoral (in situ) appliances worn by patients
Under remineralizing conditions, nHA produced significantly more remineralization than the negative control (MD 350, 95% CI 179 to 521; very low certainty).
2 findings from 1 review
Treatment failure (annual failure rate) · Children (aged 3-5.5 years) with early childhood caries in anterior primary teeth (>=2 carious surfaces), no pulp therapy
Zirconia crowns failed less than composite strip crowns (3.3% vs 15% annual failure) in one RCT; low quality of evidence (ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Mineral loss (transversal microradiography) · Enamel/dentin specimens with initial caries lesions (or sound surfaces) in intraoral (in situ) appliances worn by patients
Under demineralizing conditions, nHA allowed significantly more enamel demineralization than NaF (MD 1625, 95% CI 553 to 2697; very low certainty).
2 findings from 1 review
Treatment failure (annual failure rate) · Children (aged 3-8 years) with 2-surface occluso-proximal dentine caries in primary molars, no pulp therapy
Preformed metal (Hall) crowns had a low reported annual failure rate (3.1%) versus compomer (14.7%) in one RCT; low quality of evidence (ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Caries incidence of first permanent molars (FPMs) · Schoolchildren aged 6-12 years with sound occlusal surfaces of the first permanent molars
Pit and fissure sealant and fluoride varnish showed no statistically significant difference in caries incidence of first permanent molars at 24 months (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.38; I2=89%; not GRADE-rated).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth)
Sealant may be more effective than no treatment for arrest or reversal of approximal carious lesions (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.58; low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces (permanent teeth)
38% SDF solution (applied annually) may not differ from 5% NaF varnish for arrest or reversal of root carious lesions (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.04 to 9.66; very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth)
0.2% NaF mouthrinse + supervised toothbrushing may not differ from Sealant for arrest or reversal of occlusal carious lesions (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.14; low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Root carious lesions arrest · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces)
One review reported SDF may reduce progression of root caries, with no numeric result (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
One systematic review found that SDF can be efficacious to decrease progression of root carious lesions (no numeric results reported) [24].
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevented Fraction 100–725
2 studies
GRADE not reported
One low risk of bias systematic review reported that 38% SDF was significantly more effective than placebo in arresting root carious lesions (pooled results were not calculated) [31].
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth)
Sealant was probably more effective than no treatment for arrest or reversal of occlusal carious lesions (RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.61 to 2.44; moderate certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces (permanent teeth)
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish may not differ from 38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) for arrest or reversal of root carious lesions (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.11 to 4.45; very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces (permanent teeth)
38% SDF solution (applied annually) may not differ from no treatment for arrest or reversal of root carious lesions (RR 1.92, 95% CI 0.52 to 6.87; very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth)
1.23% APF gel was probably more effective than no treatment for arrest or reversal of occlusal carious lesions (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.54; moderate certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Root carious lesions prevention · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces)
38% silver diamine fluoride reduced root-caries increment (DMFRS/DFRS) versus placebo, MD −0.33 (95% CI −0.39 to −0.28) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth)
5% NaF varnish may not differ from Resin infiltration for arrest or reversal of approximal carious lesions (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.32 to 3.65; very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review