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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish vs 38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 0.71 [0.11, 4.45] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste vs 1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.13 [-0.23, -0.02] | 4 studies | Low |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.08, -0.03] | 6 studies · 234 participants | Low |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-0.14, 0.08] | 2 studies · 158 participants | Very low |
Dental cavity liner (e.g. calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, or flowable composite) placed under the restoration vs No liner (resin-based composite bonded directly to the tooth) Postoperative hypersensitivity (POH), patient-reported (dichotomous yes/no) · Adults or children with a Class I or Class II resin-based composite restoration in a permanent posterior tooth · 24 hours Dental cavity liners for Class I and Class II resin‐based composite restorations (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.26 [0.11, 0.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.2 [-0.45, 0.04] | NR | Low |
1400/250 ppm F (amine F/SnF2) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily vs 1400/250 ppm F (NaF) toothpaste + mouthrinse, daily Adverse effects · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment) Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | Additional SoF Table 2. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Lactobacillus count (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 1.54 [0.91, 2.17] | 2 studies · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) vs Children and adolescents without JIA (healthy peers) Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), TMJ arthritis/involvement and orofacial pain · Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Oral health in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a systematic review and… (2019) | TMJ arthritis, TMJ involvement and TMD were coherently reported more frequently among children with JIA than healthy peers [35-38] (TMJ dysfunction also in [22]); e.g., higher frequency of condylar surface flattening… | 5 studies · 367 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.40 [-0.70, -0.11] | 3 studies · 183 participants | Low |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 18 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.13 [0.95, 1.34] | 1 study · 309 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Restorative index, primary teeth Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Annual increment in DMFT (D3) · Children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Per additional year of follow-up, Adjusted for bitewings and age at baseline Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up 0.18 [0.02, 0.35] | 13 studies · 24753 participants | Ungraded |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.09 [-0.2, 0.02] | 1 study | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Did not refrain from mechanical plaque control The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.17 [-0.08, 0.42] | 11 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated and cavitated root carious lesions · Adults (including institutionalized/older adults) with noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions on root surfaces… · 3-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.92 [0.52, 6.87] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.08 [-0.33, 0.49] | 2 studies · 92 participants | Very low |
1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.04 [-0.07, 0.15] | NR | Moderate |
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Per additional year of follow-up, Adjusted for bitewings age at baseline and baseline caries experience Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up 0.00 [-0.00, 0.01] | 15 studies · 10768 participants | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 3 months Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD 0.02 [-0.06, 0.10] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
CPP-ACP agent (e.g., GC Tooth Mousse, GC Tooth Mousse Plus) vs Control (no treatment / negative control) Enamel surface microhardness · Extracted human teeth with early/artificial enamel lesions (in vitro) · 6 hours to 30 days, Vickers microhardness Evaluation of the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on remineralization of white… (2019) | SMD 1.19 [0.72, 1.66] | 5 studies · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Per additional year of follow-up, Adjusted for bitewings and age at baseline Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up 0.00 [-0.00, 0.01] | 15 studies · 10768 participants | Ungraded |
Longitudinal follow-up over time (natural caries progression; no assigned intervention) vs Within-cohort change from baseline to follow-up (>=3 y) Annual increment in DMFS (permanent dentition) · Children and adolescents (permanent dentition, D3, up to 21 y), Western or comparable populations · Per year of follow-up Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | 0.07 to 1.77 | 26 studies · 22803 participants | Ungraded |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.0 [-0.16, 0.17] | NR | Low |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.28 [-0.48, -0.08] | NR | Low |
Er:YAG laser preparation combined with acid-etching vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) alone Sealant retention rate (completely retained) · Children with permanent molars requiring pit-and-fissure sealants · 12 months The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | OR 0.39 [0.19, 0.80] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Duration of mouthwash use: >=3 weeks The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.24 [-0.11, 0.60] | 7 studies · 420 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 6, 12 and 24 months Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019) | Single RCT (Keswani 2014, 62 teeth): 100% clinical and radiographic success in both MTA and PRF at 6, 12 and 24 months (MTA 29/29, 27/27, 26/26; PRF 30/30, 29/29, 27/27); no difference between groups; not pooled | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Untreated dental caries prevalence · - Oral health in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a systematic review and… (2019) | Proportion with untreated caries NR (significantly higher in JIA) | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Five studies assessed adverse events. One did not report findings, but the others reported either no adverse events or minor adverse events that did not significantly differ between interventions. | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | One study measured periodontitis but the data were not usable (Smith 1988 measured PPD but data unusable). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Colour clinical examination (visual shade categorization: yellow, light brown, dark brown, black) vs Hardness clinical examination (tactile texture categorization: soft, medium/leathery, hard) Discriminant power for caries severity: mean difference in log10 CFU (microbial load) between lesion categories · Patients with dentine carious lesions (deciduous/permanent teeth; children and adults) · B/DB/LB-Y (colour) vs S-M/H (hardness) Reliability of colour and hardness clinical examinations in detecting dentine caries severity: a systematic… (2019) | WMD -3.867 [-4.461, -2.874] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
30% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 5% NaF varnish (once weekly for 3 weeks) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.41 [1.2, 1.66] | 1 study · 309 participants | High |
1450 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 ppm F toothpaste Adverse effects of toothpaste · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start) Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | Adverse effects of toothpaste: no studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Laser enamel preparation vs Enameloplasty Any planned outcome (sealant retention, caries, etc.) · Patients with premolars/molars requiring pit-and-fissure sealants The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Adverse effects were assessed and reported in seven studies. Three reported no adverse events on the oral hard or soft tissues. Four reported sporadic adverse events with mild severity, with no evidence of a difference… | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Per additional year of follow-up, Adjusted for groups 1-3 including decade and preventive intervention Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up -0.00 [-0.02, 0.02] | 15 studies · 10768 participants | Ungraded |
Longitudinal follow-up over time (natural caries progression; no assigned intervention) vs Within-cohort change from baseline to follow-up (>=3 y) Annual increment in dmfs (primary dentition) · Children (primary dentition, d3), Western or comparable populations · Per year of follow-up Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | -1.0 to 1.0 | 7 studies · 5896 participants | Ungraded |
1.23% APF gel vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on occlusal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 8-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.13 [1.79, 2.54] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied annually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.27 [1.16, 1.4] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions DMFT/DMFS index (dental caries experience) · Children aged 0-12 years in Ireland · Country: Ireland Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.52 [0.45, 0.61] | 1 study | Ungraded |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Placebo Root carious lesions prevention · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces) Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | MD -0.33 [-0.39, -0.28] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral fluoride-releasing glass bead device attached to the brace vs 250 ppm F (daily) fluoride mouthrinse Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment) Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | Additional SoF Table 3. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy dressing vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 6 months Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.00 [0.94, 1.06] | 2 studies · 109 participants | Ungraded |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Care index (CI), permanent teeth · Children aged 1-18 years Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | Mean care index CLD 0.12 (SD 0.12) vs CNLD 0.18 (SD 0.27) for permanent teeth; CI in CLD was less than or equal to CNLD in 5 of 8 studies. Not meta-analyzed (no variance data reported in any study). | 8 studies | Ungraded |
5% NaF varnish vs Resin infiltration Arrest or reversal of noncavitated approximal carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on approximal surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 12-36 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.09 [0.32, 3.65] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
Residence in heavily contaminated area (approx. 15-40 Ci/km2) vs Residence in non-contaminated (non-exposed) area (<1 Ci/km2) Dental caries experience (DMFT/dmft index) · Children of mixed ages (mean approximately 12 years; no age separation) · heavy contamination A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries. (2019) | WMD 0.90 [0.80, 1.00] | 1 study · 365 participants | Ungraded |
38% SDF solution (applied biannually) vs 12% SDF solution (applied biannually) Arrest of advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Preschool children with advanced cavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary teeth) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.29 [1.21, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
1055 to 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs 500 to 550 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index d(m)ft · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start) · Follow-up: 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.27 [-0.6, 0.06] | 1 study · 905 participants | Low |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions DMFT/DMFS index (dental caries experience) · Children aged 0-12 years in Japan · Country: Japan Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.00 [0.00, 0.00] | 1 study | Ungraded |