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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Annual increment in DMFS (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 0.64 [0.31, 0.96] | 22 studies · 11300 participants | Ungraded |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Fluoride varnish or placebo Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Prevented Fraction 55–96 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 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 -0.26 [-0.38, -0.14] | NR | Low |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo Coronal carious lesions prevention (fluoride varnish vs placebo) · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Prevented Fraction 54 | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 Incremental cost-effectiveness per DMFT/S · Children younger than 6 years (healthy except for dental caries) · Age < 6 years Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.07 [0.02, 0.32] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Laser enamel preparation alone (Er,Cr:YSGG or CO2 laser) vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) Sealant retention rate (completely retained) · Caries-free children to young adults with premolars/molars requiring pit-and-fissure sealants · 18 months The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | OR 0.82 [0.23, 2.85] | 1 study · 16 participants | Ungraded |
Professionally-applied fluoride varnish (7700 or 10,000 ppm F), every 6 weeks vs Non-fluoride (placebo) varnish Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 1.7 years Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.52 [0.14, 1.93] | 2 studies · 405 participants | Low |
38% silver diamine fluoride vs Placebo or no treatment Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition) · Primary dentition Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | RR 2.54 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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 (studies published 2015 or later) · Published 2015 or later Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.08 [0.01, 0.53] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo 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 | SoF 4. Adverse effects: none of the trials reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
38% SDF + potassium iodide 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 2.36 [0.66, 8.42] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
No intervention (single-arm cohort estimates) vs No comparator First dentine caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Caries-free children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Follow-up of at least 3 years Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Incidence rate per person-year at risk 0.16 [0.15, 0.17] | 1 study | Ungraded |
5% NaF varnish vs Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish 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 0.62 [0.46, 0.83] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy Clinical failure · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up: 18 to 24 months; 15 to 23 months in Howley et al., Overall Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019) | RR 2.63 [0.76, 9.58] | 2 studies · 264 participants | Ungraded |
Silver diamine fluoride vs Not applicable (single-arm safety outcome) Serious adverse events · Children and older adults treated with SDF for carious lesions Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | No serious adverse events, such as allergic reactions or toxicity, were reported. A metallic taste or burning sensation was not reported in any of the studies. | NR | Ungraded |
Residence in weakly contaminated area (approx. 1-5 Ci/km2) vs Residence in non-contaminated (non-exposed) area (<1 Ci/km2) Dental caries experience (DMFT/dmft index) · Children aged 5-7 years (early school-age) · weak contamination A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries. (2019) | WMD 6.51 [6.11, 6.91] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Professionally-applied fluoride varnish (7700 ppm F ammonium fluoride), every 6 weeks vs Non-fluoride (placebo) varnish Number of participants with more severe DLs (score 3 or 4 versus 1 or 2) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 1.7 years Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.46 [0.22, 0.95] | 1 study · 148 participants | Low |
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… · 12 months Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.04 [0.96, 1.13] | 2 studies · 109 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation 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 -0.00 [-0.07, 0.06] | 2 studies · 126 participants | Low |
1.23% APF gel vs No treatment Arrest or reversal of noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary and permanent teeth) · 9-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 2.25 [2, 2.53] | 3 studies · 4672 participants | Moderate |
No intervention (single-arm cohort estimates) vs No comparator First dentine caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Caries-free children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Follow-up of at least 3 years Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Incidence rate per person-year at risk 0.12 [0.12, 0.12] | 1 study | 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, Not adjusted Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up -0.00 [-0.01, 0.01] | 15 studies · 10768 participants | Ungraded |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Caries experience in permanent teeth (DMFT) · Children aged 1-18 years Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | SMD -0.43 [-0.91, 0.05] | 16 studies | Ungraded |
10% CPP-ACP cream (+ 900-ppm NaF mouthrinse + 1,000-ppm NaF dentifrice) vs Placebo cream (+ 900-ppm NaF mouthrinse + 1,000-ppm NaF dentifrice) Arrest or reversal of noncavitated facial/lingual carious lesions · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on facial/lingual surfaces (primary and permanent teeth) · 3 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.23 [1.06, 1.42] | 1 study · 45 participants | Low |
Silver diamine fluoride vs Not applicable (single-arm safety outcome) Adverse events: black staining of arrested lesions · Children and older adults treated with SDF for carious lesions Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. (2019) | Eight systematic reviews reported adverse events; seven reported black staining of arrested carious lesions. Older adults rarely complained; discoloration was acceptable in children, concerning 7% of participants in… | NR | Ungraded |
440 to 550 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 -0.08 [-0.32, 0.17] | 1 study | Low |
No intervention (single-arm cohort estimates) vs No comparator First dentine caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Caries-free children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Follow-up of at least 3 years Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Incidence rate per person-year at risk 0.14 [0.13, 0.16] | 1 study | Ungraded |
1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 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 -0.17 [-0.3, -0.04] | NR | Low |
Residence in weakly contaminated area (approx. 1-5 Ci/km2) vs Residence in non-contaminated (non-exposed) area (<1 Ci/km2) Dental caries experience (DMFT/dmft index) · Children aged 12-15 years (adolescents) · weak contamination A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries. (2019) | WMD 2.13 [1.94, 2.32] | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo 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 -0.26 [-0.31, -0.21] | 41 studies | High |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Sensitivity analysis: one-study-removed (leave-one-out) Prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and… (2019) | Prevalence 0.65 to 0.70 (range) | 10 studies | Ungraded |
1.23% APF gel vs Sealant 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 1.08 [0.82, 1.41] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Study quality: moderate-quality studies The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.19 [-0.11, 0.50] | 10 studies · 616 participants | Ungraded |
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) · 24 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.19 [1.1, 1.28] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
Intervention NR Calcific metamorphosis (adverse event) · MTA vs CH (El-Meligy 2006) Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019) | no estimate extracted | 1 study | Ungraded |
Resin-modified glass ionomer cement for bonding orthodontic brackets vs Light-cured composite resin for bonding brackets Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 17.6 months Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 1.17 [0.69, 1.99] | 1 study · 173 participants | Low |
5,000-ppm F (1.1% NaF) toothpaste or gel 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 2.62 [1.49, 4.63] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Low |
1.23% APF gel vs 5% NaF varnish Arrest or reversal of noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface · Children and adults with noncavitated carious lesions on any coronal surface (primary and permanent teeth) · 9-12 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.05 [0.85, 1.29] | 3 studies · 4672 participants | Low |
Longitudinal follow-up over time (natural caries progression; no assigned intervention) vs Within-cohort change from baseline to follow-up (>=3 y) Annual decline in percentage of caries-free participants (permanent dentition, D3) · Children and adolescents (permanent dentition, D3, up to 21 y), Western or comparable populations · Annual (studies with >=3 y follow-up) Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | 0.8% to 10.2% | 18 studies · 12017 participants | Ungraded |
No intervention (single-arm cohort estimates) vs No comparator First dentine caries incidence rate per person-year at risk (D3) · Caries-free children and adolescents with permanent dentition · Follow-up of at least 3 years Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Incidence rate per person-year at risk 0.20 [0.18, 0.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
2400 to 2800 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 -0.12 [-0.25, 0.01] | 3 studies | Very low |
CPP-ACP agent (e.g., GC Tooth Mousse, GC Tooth Mousse Plus, MI Paste 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 Evaluation of the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on remineralization of white… (2019) | SMD 2.07 [1.24, 2.89] | 8 studies · 170 participants | Ungraded |
1000 or 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste Proportion developing new caries · Adults with mature permanent dentition (aged 18 to 93 years at study start) Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | Proportion of adults developing new caries: no studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing 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 -0.12 [-0.19, -0.05] | 2 studies · 133 participants | Low |
38% SDF solution (applied annually) 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 0.8 [0.25, 2.61] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Placebo rinse Post-treatment Streptococcus mutans count · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD -1.42 [-2.08, -0.76] | 5 studies · 142 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation 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 | Three studies reported that there were no adverse events, one reported one incidence of aphthous ulcer in irrigator group, one reported oral lacerations but found no difference between the interventions, and one did… | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Longer follow-up vs Shorter follow-up Annual increment in DMFS (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 0.37 [0.04, 0.70] | 22 studies · 11300 participants | Ungraded |
30% SDF solution (once weekly for 3 weeks) 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 0.97 [0.8, 1.18] | 1 study · 309 participants | Moderate |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Caries experience in permanent teeth (DMFT) · Children aged 1-18 years · Disability: mixed learning disabilities Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | SMD 0.26 [-0.94, 1.47] | 2 studies | Ungraded |