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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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

5,762 questions in 263 reviews · Dental caries

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
GG genotype of LTF rs1126478 vs AA genotype of LTF rs1126478
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Age group: Children
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.03 [0.80, 1.33]4 studiesUngraded
Red fluorescence devices (DIAGNOdent, DIAGNOdent pen, MidWest; excitation wavelength >655 nm) vs Reference standard: histology, enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs, or excavation
Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for detection of early enamel caries (D1 threshold) · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (in vivo/clinical studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 12.75 [9.74, 16.68]68 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Anatomic form success rate · Use of coat: Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.785 [0.608, 0.896]5 studiesUngraded
Vegetarian diet (any diet excluding all meat, poultry and fish) vs Nonvegetarian diet
Presence of dental erosion · General population (children and adults) assessed for dental hard-tissue health · Sensitivity analysis excluding Linkosalo & Markkanen 1985 (outlier)
Vegetarian diet and its possible influence on dental health: A systematic literature review. (2020)
OR 1.97 [1.19, 3.27]5 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Marginal integrity success rate · Use of coat: Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.804 [0.595, 0.919]5 studiesUngraded
Illicit drug use vs People who do not use drugs
DMFT index (dental caries experience) · People who use drugs (PWUD): methamphetamine, heroin, opiate, cannabis and cocaine users
Dental caries and periodontal disease among people who use drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 4.11 [2.07, 8.15]7 studiesUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Assessor blinding (triple-blind): No
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.934 [0.859, 0.971]11 studiesUngraded
AMELX rs946252 TT genotype vs CC + CT genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=2) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=2)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.73 [0.19, 2.87]2 studiesUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs17878486 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs17878486
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 5.12 [0.09, 278.85]2 studiesUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Material type: Resin-based material + self-etching adhesion
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.824 [0.672, 0.914]8 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Cavity form: Conventional cavity design
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.932 [0.889, 0.959]20 studiesUngraded
T allele of AMELX rs17878486 vs C allele of AMELX rs17878486
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Control group: Caries-free
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 2.87 [0.35, 23.23]2 studiesUngraded
CT genotype of AMELX rs2106416 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs2106416
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.20 [0.65, 2.22]2 studiesUngraded
CT + TT genotype (T-allele carriers) of AMELX rs2106416 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs2106416
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.59 [0.15, 2.31]3 studies · 285 participantsUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs6639060 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs6639060
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.04 [0.43, 2.51]2 studies · 301 participantsUngraded
CT genotype of AMELX rs946252 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs946252
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Control group: Low caries
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.95 [0.40, 2.25]1 studyUngraded
Intervention NR
Marginal integrity success rate · Study design: Nonrandomized controlled trial
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.855 [0.763, 0.914]11 studiesUngraded
GG genotype of ENAM rs1264848 vs AA genotype of ENAM rs1264848
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Mixed
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.62 [0.64, 4.09]1 studyUngraded
All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard: histology, enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs, or excavation
Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Medium dentine-caries prevalence (15% to 34%) (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (in vivo/clinical studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Medium dentine-caries prevalence (15% to 34%)
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 15.39 [11.07, 21.41]NRUngraded
Intervention NR
Anatomic form success rate · Study design: Nonrandomized controlled trial
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.844 [0.731, 0.916]10 studiesUngraded
Intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection vs No BoNT (placebo or pre-treatment baseline)
Salivary osmolality (hydration level) · Patients with drooling (sialorrhea) due to neurological disease
Oral health effects of botulinum toxin treatment for drooling: a systematic review. (2020)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Visual examination vs Reference standard: histology
Specificity · Extracted molar teeth of adults with resin composite approximal restorations (in vitro; secondary root caries;…
Tests to detect and inform the diagnosis of root caries (2020) · Cochrane
Specificity 0.38 [0.14, 0.68]1 studyVery low
CT + TT genotype (T-allele carriers) of AMELX rs17878486 vs CC genotype of AMELX rs17878486
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 2.30 [0.51, 10.33]4 studies · 442 participantsUngraded
GG genotype of ENAM rs1264848 vs AA + AG genotype of ENAM rs1264848
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Mixed
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.09 [0.53, 2.23]1 studyUngraded
AG genotype of ENAM rs1264848 vs AA genotype of ENAM rs1264848
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Mixed
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.73 [0.77, 3.90]1 studyUngraded
Low family income (<$70/month) vs Higher family income (>=$70/month)
Poor oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) · Children aged 3-12 years
The Association of Oral Health Status, demographic characteristics and socioeconomic determinants with Oral… (2020)
OR 1.16 [1.11, 1.21]4 studiesUngraded
All fluorescence-based devices (red, blue, and green fluorescence combined) vs Reference standard: histology, enhanced visual examination with or without radiographs, or excavation
Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) by subgroup: Histology or excavation reference standard (detection of early enamel caries, D1 threshold) · Children or adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having enamel caries (in vivo/clinical studies);… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Histology or excavation reference standard
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 13.49 [10.25, 17.76]NRUngraded
GG genotype of ENAM rs3796704 vs AA genotype of ENAM rs3796704
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Age group: Children
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.61 [0.13, 2.93]2 studiesUngraded
AMELX rs17878486 T allele vs C allele
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Asian (n=1) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Asian (n=1)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.38 [0.25, 7.75]1 studyUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Dentist experience: Non-experienced
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.554 [0.168, 0.885]2 studiesUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs17878486 vs CC + CT genotype of AMELX rs17878486
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Age group: Adults
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.89 [0.30, 11.85]1 studyUngraded
AMELX rs2106416 CT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals with caries/high caries and caries-free or low-caries controls · Overall (n=3)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.55 [0.13, 2.25]3 studies · 285 participantsUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Cavity form: Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART)
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.649 [0.488, 0.783]8 studiesUngraded
Intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection vs No BoNT (placebo or pre-treatment baseline)
Salivary Streptococcus mutans counts · Patients with drooling (sialorrhea) due to neurological disease · Before vs after BoNT injection
Oral health effects of botulinum toxin treatment for drooling: a systematic review. (2020)
The RCT by Wu et al. reported no statistically significant changes in S. mutans CFU counts (p-values only). The studies of Tiigimae-Saar did not find statistically significant differences in S. mutans CFU counts either.3 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Study design: Randomized controlled trial
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.913 [0.849, 0.951]15 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Material type: Resin-based material + total-etching adhesion
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.894 [0.771, 0.954]7 studiesUngraded
LTF rs1126478 GG genotype vs AA + AG genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Age group: Children (n=4) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Age group: Children (n=4)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.95 [0.80, 1.13]4 studiesUngraded
Multiple LTF gene variants (joint / gene-based) vs Caries-free controls
Dental caries · Human subjects with dental caries and caries-free controls · Gene-based joint association (LTF)
The association between genetic variants in lactotransferrin and dental caries: a meta- and gene-based… (2020)
P-value (gene-based, weighted TPM) 0.0007NRUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Material type: Open sandwich restoration
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.950 [0.639, 0.995]1 studyUngraded
GG genotype of ENAM rs3796704 vs AA + AG genotype of ENAM rs3796704
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Mixed
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.43 [0.67, 3.05]1 studyUngraded
AG + GG genotype (G-allele carriers) of LTF rs1126478 vs AA genotype of LTF rs1126478
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Asian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.02 [0.78, 1.33]2 studiesUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs2106416 vs CC + CT genotype of AMELX rs2106416
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals assessed for dental caries (cases with caries/high caries vs. caries-free or low/very-low-caries controls) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.67 [0.44, 6.34]2 studiesUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.879 [0.803, 0.928]27 studiesUngraded
AMELX rs17878486 CT + TT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=2) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=2)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 2.03 [0.10, 42.44]2 studiesUngraded
AMELX rs6639060 CT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=1) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Caucasian (n=1)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.27 [0.49, 3.30]1 studyUngraded
ENAM rs3796703 CT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Asian (n=2) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Asian (n=2)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.89 [0.23, 3.48]2 studiesUngraded
Vegetarian diet (any diet excluding all meat, poultry and fish) vs Nonvegetarian diet
Number of natural teeth (missing/present teeth, edentulousness, MT component of DMFT) · General population (children and adults) assessed for dental hard-tissue health
Vegetarian diet and its possible influence on dental health: A systematic literature review. (2020)
Seven studies reported on the number of teeth with conflicting findings; meta-analysis was not possible due to inconsistent outcome definitions. One study found vegetarians had significantly more teeth; two found no…7 studiesUngraded
Tooth bleaching (carbamide or hydrogen peroxide; home or in-office) vs No bleaching (untreated or pH-cycling control)
Enamel demineralisation and susceptibility to caries or acid erosion (microhardness, mineral loss) · Permanent teeth / enamel specimens (in vitro)
Is Bleaching Effective in Managing Post-orthodontic White-spot Lesions? A Systematic Review. (2020)
Four studies at high risk of bias and one study at moderate risk reached the overall conclusion that neither home- nor in-office bleaching of permanent teeth was associated with an increased susceptibility to…5 studiesUngraded
Tooth-coloured direct restorative materials (composite, compomer, giomer, RMGIC, HVGIC, open-sandwich) vs No comparator group (single-arm pooled success rate; materials/techniques contrasted via moderator analyses)
Retention success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Reporting bias: Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.935 [0.726, 0.987]3 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Dental caries in primary teeth · Children (primary dentition) worldwide · Australia
Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and… (2020)
Prevalence 0.285 [0.203, 0.385]3 studies · 6472 participantsUngraded