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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.

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
AMELX rs17878486 CT 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 1.00 [0.12, 8.23]2 studiesUngraded
CT 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 1.00 [0.12, 8.23]2 studiesUngraded
Vegetarian diet (any diet excluding all meat, poultry and fish) vs Nonvegetarian diet
Dental caries (mean DMFT score) · General population (children and adults) assessed for dental hard-tissue health · Adults only
Vegetarian diet and its possible influence on dental health: A systematic literature review. (2020)
MD -0.09 [-0.32, 0.13]3 studiesUngraded
Fluoride varnish applied biannually vs Fissure sealant (resin-based or glass ionomer)
Caries incidence of occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars · Generally healthy children aged 6 to 9 years with at least one fully erupted first permanent molar with deep fissures… · 2 to 3 years, Sensitivity analysis excluding Bravo 1996 (high risk of bias)
Comparison between Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish on Caries Prevention for First Permanent Molars: a… (2020)
RR 0.98 [0.82, 1.16]3 studiesUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs6639060 vs CC + CT 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) · Age group: Adults
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.00 [0.42, 2.39]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, Use of cavity conditioner: No
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.973 [0.695, 0.998]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Marginal integrity 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 0.921 [0.877, 0.950]19 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: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.67 [0.18, 2.45]4 studiesUngraded
AMELX rs946252 TT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals with caries/high caries and caries-free or low-caries controls · Control group: Low caries (n=1)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.03 [0.28, 3.75]1 studyUngraded
Traditional bur cavity preparation vs Er,Cr:YSGG laser cavity preparation
Incidence of microleakage · Human teeth requiring cavity preparation and restoration (in vitro) · Whole marginal line
Does Er,Cr:YSGG reduce the microleakage of restorations when used for cavity preparation? A systematic… (2020)
RR 1.27 [0.44, 3.67]5 studiesUngraded
CT 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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.45 [0.36, 5.80]4 studies · 442 participantsUngraded
T allele of AMELX rs946252 vs C allele 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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.01 [0.68, 1.51]3 studies · 298 participantsUngraded
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) (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 14.12 [11.17, 17.84]79 studiesLow
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) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.04 [0.43, 2.51]1 studyUngraded
LTF rs1126478 GG genotype vs AA genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals with caries/high caries and caries-free or low-caries controls · Overall (n=4)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.03 [0.80, 1.33]4 studies · 2662 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Rubber dam isolation: Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.911 [0.825, 0.957]11 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Financial source: Public
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.895 [0.822, 0.941]12 studiesUngraded
CT + TT genotype (T-allele carriers) of ENAM rs3796703 vs CC genotype of ENAM rs3796703
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 0.90 [0.23, 3.63]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Anatomic form success rate · Financial source: Private or mixed
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.850 [0.678, 0.939]5 studiesUngraded
G allele of LTF rs1126478 vs A allele 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 0.98 [0.87, 1.10]4 studiesUngraded
T allele of AMELX rs2106416 vs C allele 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 1.25 [0.77, 2.03]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Assessor blinding (triple-blind): No
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.958 [0.924, 0.978]12 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) · Age group: Children
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 2.48 [0.76, 8.05]3 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) · Overall
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, Random assignment: Correct
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.851 [0.716, 0.929]15 studiesUngraded
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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.41 [1.06, 1.87]4 studies · 1107 participantsUngraded
AMELX rs946252 CT genotype vs CC genotype
Dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Mixed (n=1) individuals with caries/high caries and controls · Ethnicity: Mixed (n=1)
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.95 [0.40, 2.25]1 studyUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs946252 vs CC + CT 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) · Age group: Children
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.26 [0.56, 2.83]2 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Absence of recurrent caries 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 0.865 [0.759, 0.929]11 studiesUngraded
CT + TT genotype (T-allele carriers) 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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.21 [0.68, 2.14]3 studies · 298 participantsUngraded
AMELX rs6639060 TT genotype vs CC + CT 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 1.00 [0.42, 2.39]1 studyUngraded
Intervention NR
Dental caries in permanent teeth · Children (permanent dentition) worldwide · Europe
Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and… (2020)
Prevalence 0.441 [0.361, 0.525]22 studies · 115141 participantsUngraded
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) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.25 [0.69, 2.27]2 studiesUngraded
G allele of ENAM rs3796704 vs A allele 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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.38 [1.08, 1.76]4 studies · 1107 participantsUngraded
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: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.41 [1.04, 1.91]3 studiesUngraded
Intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection vs No BoNT (placebo or pre-treatment baseline)
New dental caries development · Patients with drooling (sialorrhea) due to neurological disease · BoNT-B 2500 U vs placebo (Isaacson RCT)
Oral health effects of botulinum toxin treatment for drooling: a systematic review. (2020)
RR 2.4 [0.48, 11.80]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: Single site per tooth (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), Single site per tooth
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 15.96 [12.26, 20.77]NRUngraded
CT + TT genotype (T-allele carriers) 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: Caries-free
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 1.63 [0.67, 4.01]2 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: Radiography 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), Radiography reference standard
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 6.21 [2.58, 14.97]NRUngraded
Intervention NR
Marginal integrity success rate · Reporting bias: Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.935 [0.767, 0.984]2 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: Enhanced visual examination 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), Enhanced visual examination reference standard
Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane
DOR 19.32 [12.37, 30.17]NRUngraded
ENAM rs3796703 TT genotype vs CC + CT 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 2.90 [0.92, 9.12]2 studiesUngraded
AG + GG genotype (G-allele carriers) 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) · Ethnicity: Caucasian
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 2.16 [1.05, 4.45]3 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Anatomic form success rate · Assessor blinding (triple-blind): Yes
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.852 [0.760, 0.912]14 studiesUngraded
LTF rs11716497 variant vs Reference allele/genotype
Dental caries · Human subjects with dental caries and caries-free controls · Single study (Doetzer et al. 2015)
The association between genetic variants in lactotransferrin and dental caries: a meta- and gene-based… (2020)
OR 1.04 [0.90, 1.21]1 study · 677 participantsUngraded
Resin-based fissure sealant plus fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish alone
Time taken to apply pit and fissure sealant or fluoride varnish · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study
Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane
Splieth 2001: total time for sealing and resealing two teeth averaged 29 minutes over 2 years (about 17 minutes initial sealants); each fluoride varnish application under 3 minutes (total 9 minutes).1 studyUngraded
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 · Adults only
Vegetarian diet and its possible influence on dental health: A systematic literature review. (2020)
OR 2.94 [1.64, 5.26]5 studiesUngraded
Intervention NR
Dental caries in permanent teeth · Children (permanent dentition) worldwide · Australia
Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and… (2020)
Prevalence 0.549 [0.509, 0.588]1 study · 612 participantsUngraded
TT genotype of AMELX rs946252 vs CC + CT 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) · Overall
Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020)
OR 0.82 [0.43, 1.56]3 studies · 298 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Anatomic form success rate · Use of coat: No
Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020)
Proportion 0.916 [0.808, 0.966]6 studiesUngraded