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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
rs1126478, additive (per-allele) model vs Reference allele A Dental caries · Human subjects with dental caries and caries-free controls The association between genetic variants in lactotransferrin and dental caries: a meta- and gene-based… (2020) | OR 1.41 [0.98, 2.02] | 4 studies · 1802 participants | Ungraded |
AMELX rs17878486 TT genotype vs CC genotype 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 0.93 [0.04, 23.52] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resin-modified glass ionomer fissure sealant plus oral health education vs Fluoride varnish plus oral health education Change in DMF increment on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 24 months, high caries risk Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | MD 0.23 [0.02, 0.44] | 1 study | Ungraded |
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) · Age group: Children Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.71 [1.02, 2.85] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries in primary teeth · Children (primary dentition) worldwide · Europe Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and… (2020) | Prevalence 0.214 [0.153, 0.291] | 10 studies · 9977 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Absence of recurrent caries 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 0.801 [0.619, 0.909] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Marginal integrity success rate · Reporting bias: No Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.893 [0.843, 0.929] | 25 studies | Ungraded |
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) · Ethnicity: Mixed Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.04 [0.29, 3.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
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) · Ethnicity: Caucasian Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 2.49 [1.19, 5.24] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Marginal integrity 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 0.875 [0.671, 0.959] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Anatomic form 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 0.907 [0.806, 0.958] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
No additional acid etching (self-etch adhesive alone) after Er,Cr:YSGG preparation vs Prior acid etching before self-etch adhesive after Er,Cr:YSGG preparation Incidence of microleakage · Er,Cr:YSGG laser-prepared cavities restored with self-etch adhesive systems (in vitro) Does Er,Cr:YSGG reduce the microleakage of restorations when used for cavity preparation? A systematic… (2020) | RR 2.69 [1.74, 4.15] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Marginal integrity 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 0.898 [0.796, 0.952] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Change in DMFT (decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth) increment · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 2 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.08 [-0.14, -0.02] | 1 study · 542 participants | Ungraded |
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) · Age group: Children Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.55 [0.13, 2.25] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
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) · Overall Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.88 [0.34, 2.30] | 5 studies · 1534 participants | Ungraded |
AMELX rs17878486 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 6.17 [0.41, 92.05] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
T allele of ENAM rs3796703 vs C allele 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) · Ethnicity: Asian Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.92 [0.24, 3.58] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Marginal integrity success rate · Random assignment: No/Incorrect Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.888 [0.819, 0.933] | 14 studies | Ungraded |
Radiograph and visual examination in combination vs Reference standard: histology Sensitivity · 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 | Sensitivity 0.81 [0.54, 0.96] | 1 study | Very low |
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) · Control group: Caries-free Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.67 [1.17, 2.39] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Number of visits to the dentist for repair of sealant or fluoride varnish application · 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 | MD 5.02 [4.55, 5.94] | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
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) · Ethnicity: Caucasian Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.95 [0.35, 2.55] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Glass ionomer or resin-modified glass ionomer fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Dentine caries in permanent molars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 1, 2 and 3 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | SoF2: No evidence of a difference between interventions in caries after 1, 2 and 3 years; 995 (3 studies); Very low. Studies were clinically different so not combined in meta-analyses; 1 study (Tagliaferro 2011)… | 3 studies · 995 participants | Very low |
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) · Control group: Low caries Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.24 [0.03, 2.17] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
LTF rs6441989 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 1.02 [0.92, 1.14] | 1 study · 677 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Absence of recurrent caries success rate · Reporting bias: Yes Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.963 [0.847, 0.992] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
LTF rs1126478 GG genotype vs AA + AG 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 0.95 [0.80, 1.13] | 4 studies · 2662 participants | Ungraded |
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) Anatomic form success rate · Children with primary molars requiring proximal (Class II) restorations · 24 months, Trim-and-fill adjusted (publication-bias sensitivity) Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.876 [0.817, 0.919] | 29 (24 observed + 5 imputed) studies | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant plus fluoride varnish vs Fluoride varnish alone Dentine caries in permanent molars (yes/no) · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 2 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | OR 0.30 [0.17, 0.55] | 1 study · 92 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Dental caries in permanent teeth · Children (permanent dentition) worldwide Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and… (2020) | Prevalence 0.538 [0.5, 0.575] | 83 studies · 1454871 participants | Ungraded |
Resin-based fissure sealant vs Fluoride varnish Change in DMFS (decayed, missing and filled permanent surfaces) increment · Children and adolescents from the general population, younger than 20 years of age at the start of the study · 2 years Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of… (2020) · Cochrane | MD -0.09 [-0.15, -0.03] | 1 study · 542 participants | Ungraded |
Preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) vs Full-term birth (37 weeks or more gestation) Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 6 years or younger (preschool children) · Overall Relationship between preterm, low birth weight and early childhood caries: a meta-analysis of the… (2020) | OR 1.59 [1.36, 1.87] | 16 studies · 21279 participants | Ungraded |
Bleaching gel with added remineralising agent (fluoride, calcium, or CPP-ACP) vs Bleaching alone (no remineralising agent) Enamel mineral loss / remineralisation · Demineralised / white-spot-lesion enamel (in vitro specimens) Is Bleaching Effective in Managing Post-orthodontic White-spot Lesions? A Systematic Review. (2020) | Inconclusive: F/Ca/CPP-ACP additives reduced mineral loss on SOUND enamel (refs 8,10,16) but not verified for artificial caries lesions (ref 35) | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Traditional bur cavity preparation vs Er,Cr:YSGG laser cavity preparation Incidence of microleakage · Human teeth requiring cavity preparation and restoration (in vitro) Does Er,Cr:YSGG reduce the microleakage of restorations when used for cavity preparation? A systematic… (2020) | RR 1.03 [0.85, 1.25] | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Blue fluorescence devices (VistaProof, SoproLife, Spectra; wavelength 400-450 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 18.47 [10.59, 32.20] | 20 studies | Ungraded |
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: High dentine-caries prevalence (>=35%) (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), High dentine-caries prevalence (>=35%) Fluorescence devices for the detection of dental caries (2020) · Cochrane | DOR 14.59 [9.18, 23.22] | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish applied biannually vs Fissure sealant (resin-based or glass ionomer) Increment of occlusal DMFS (decayed, missing, filled surfaces) of FPMs · 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 1997 (high risk of bias) Comparison between Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish on Caries Prevention for First Permanent Molars: a… (2020) | MD 0.04 [-0.15, 0.23] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
TT 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) · Age group: Children Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.83 [0.47, 7.06] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
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) · Control group: Low caries Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.90 [0.66, 1.23] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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) · Ethnicity: Mixed Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.98 [0.46, 2.07] | 1 study | Ungraded |
TT genotype 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) · Overall Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 5.22 [0.25, 108.96] | 2 studies · 1152 participants | Ungraded |
CT genotype 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) · Overall Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 0.89 [0.23, 3.48] | 2 studies · 1152 participants | Ungraded |
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 coat: No Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.854 [0.609, 0.956] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
TT 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 1.83 [0.47, 7.06] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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) · Ethnicity: Asian Association of LTF, ENAM, and AMELX polymorphisms with dental caries susceptibility: a meta-analysis. (2020) | OR 1.38 [0.25, 7.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Age 5 years vs Age older than 5 years Poor OHRQoL · Children The Association of Oral Health Status, demographic characteristics and socioeconomic determinants with Oral… (2020) | OR 3.68 [2.20, 5.17] | 1 study | Ungraded |
AMELX rs946252 TT genotype vs CC + CT 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 1.04 [0.29, 3.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
ENAM rs3796703 TT genotype vs CC + CT genotype Dental caries susceptibility · Individuals with caries/high caries and caries-free or low-caries controls · Overall (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 studies · 1152 participants | Ungraded |
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: High-viscosity glass ionomer cement (HVGIC) Success rate of proximal tooth-coloured direct restorations in primary teeth at 24 months: a meta-analysis. (2020) | Proportion 0.671 [0.447, 0.838] | 6 studies | Ungraded |