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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Resin-modified glass ionomer cement for bonding orthodontic brackets vs Light-cured composite resin for bonding brackets Number of participants with more severe DLs of aesthetic concern · 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 1.18 [0.45, 3.12] | 1 study · 173 participants | Low |
1.23% APF gel vs 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 1.08 [0.83, 1.4] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | 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 0.11 [0.10, 0.12] | 1 study | 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 groups 1-4 including relevance of evidence and risk of bias Caries Progression Rates Revisited: A Systematic Review. (2019) | Meta-regression beta per year of follow-up 0.46 [0.08, 0.83] | 22 studies · 11300 participants | Ungraded |
Placebo rinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Streptococcus mutans 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 0.34 [-0.07, 0.76] | 5 studies · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone 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 probing pocket depth but no data were reported (Graziani 2017). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Er:YAG laser preparation combined with acid-etching vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) alone Physiological stress indicators (heart rate, oxygen saturation) · Children (ages 6-12) receiving pit-and-fissure sealants The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | Shindova 2018 (Er:YAG laser+acid vs acid-etching): no significant differences in heart rate or oxygen saturation between groups. | 1 study · 64 participants | Ungraded |
0.2% NaF mouthrinse + supervised toothbrushing vs 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 0.99 [0.84, 1.15] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
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) | Relative success-rate difference (% higher, SDF vs placebo) 72 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Caries experience in permanent teeth (DMFT) · Children aged 1-18 years · Disability: autism Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | SMD -0.28 [-1.31, 0.75] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
5% NaF varnish 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 2.96 [0.27, 32.26] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
12,500 ppm F (NaF/olaflur/dectaflur) amine fluoride gel, professionally applied every 3 months plus home use vs 0 ppm F placebo gel Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; mean follow-up 16.6 months Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.99 [0.76, 1.27] | 1 study · 312 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Children (<12 years) and adolescents (12-18 years) with type 1 diabetes Prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and… (2019) | Prevalence 0.67 [0.56, 0.77] | 10 studies · 538 participants | Ungraded |
1450 to 1500 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 [-0.47, -0.09] | NR | Low |
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) · 30 mo Nonrestorative Treatments for Caries: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. (2019) | RR 1.29 [1.21, 1.38] | 1 study · 799 participants | High |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Unmet dental treatment need · Children aged 1-18 years Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | Six studies gave narrative reports of unmet dental need (Table 10); 5 of 6 reported greater unmet treatment need in CLD than CNLD, with no supporting numerical data. | 6 studies | Ungraded |
1% chlorhexidine + 1% thymol varnish vs 5% NaF varnish 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 0.57 [0.04, 8.69] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very 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 (healthy except for dental caries) Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.19 [0.10, 0.39] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
5% NaF varnish vs No treatment 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 2.29 [0.74, 7.1] | 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 1.47 [1.37, 1.57] | 1 study · 395 participants | Ungraded |
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily 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 | SoF 4. 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 Abscess remedy (AR) Clinical and radiographic success · Immature (young) permanent teeth with open apex and vital pulp exposed to dental caries or trauma, in children aged… · 3 to 24 months Materials for pulpotomy in immature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019) | Single RCT (Eppa 2018, 3-arm; 20 MTA and 20 AR teeth): MTA 100% (20/20) vs abscess remedy 80% (16/20) clinical and radiographic success; the 4 abscess-remedy failures occurred at 3 months; difference statistically… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Resin infiltration vs Sealant 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 0.88 [0.4, 1.91] | 6 studies · 565 participants | Very low |
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 · 12 months The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | OR 1.05 [0.61, 1.80] | 3 studies · 73 participants | Ungraded |
Laser enamel preparation vs Air abrasion 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 |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
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 1.88 [1.66, 2.10] | 1 study · 143 participants | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Gingivitis measured by gingival index: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride toothpaste (any concentration; pooled across comparisons) vs Lower-concentration or non-fluoride toothpaste (pooled across comparisons) Adverse effects of toothpaste · 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 | 16 studies assessed possible side effects, principally oral (soft tissue) pathologies and tooth staining. 6 studies reported no untoward events; 6 reported greater staining in the stannous fluoride group; 1 reported no… | 16 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Mean DMFT/dmft (caries severity) · Children (<12 years) and adolescents (12-18 years) with type 1 diabetes Prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and… (2019) | MEAN 5.7 | 5 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 · 3 months The clinical effects of laser preparation of tooth surfaces for fissure sealants placement: a systematic… (2019) | OR 2.78 [0.87, 8.91] | 2 studies · 65 participants | Ungraded |
1500 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste Adverse effects of toothpaste · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start) · 24 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | Adverse effects of toothpaste: not estimable; 0 events reported (Fan 2008); 998 participants (1 RCT); low-certainty. | 1 study · 998 participants | Low |
Not applicable vs Not applicable Dental caries prevalence · Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes assessed with DMFT · Sensitivity analysis: DMFT diagnostic method Prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and… (2019) | Prevalence 0.62 | NR | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing 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 | Harms and adverse outcomes (SoF): Neither study reported any information about adverse events. Jared 2005 assessed adverse events (participants issued a symptom diary) but did not report the findings; Graziani 2017 did… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Laser enamel preparation (with or without acid-etching) vs Acid-etching (phosphoric acid) Adverse events · Caries-free children to young adults 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 adverse events (pulpal sensation, post-lasing thermal sensitivity, pulpitis, or other laser-induced pathology) were reported in any of the included studies. | 5 studies | 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 12-15 years (adolescents) · weak contamination A systematic review of the caries prevalence among children living in Chernobyl fallout countries. (2019) | WMD 0.02 [-0.11, 0.15] | 1 study · 137 participants | Ungraded |
1.23% APF gel 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 0.67 [0.45, 0.99] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
38% SDF + potassium iodide solution (applied annually) vs 5,000-ppm F (1.1% NaF) toothpaste or gel 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 0.9 [0.22, 3.62] | 7 studies · 1304 participants | Very low |
Pulpotomy vs Pulpectomy Radiographic failure · Children with carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors · Longest follow-up (15-24 months) Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2019) | RR 0.79 [0.25, 2.42] | 3 studies · 338 participants | Ungraded |
Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD) Caries experience in permanent teeth (DMFT) · Children aged 1-18 years · Disability: Down syndrome Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and… (2019) | SMD -0.73 [-1.28, -0.18] | 8 studies | 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 0.15 [0.01, 0.29] | 11 studies · 482 participants | Ungraded |
CPP-ACP paste (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate) vs Baseline (same subjects, pre-treatment) Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), fluorescence loss · Patients with white spot lesions (children/adolescents) · 4 weeks to 1 year, CPP-ACP vs baseline Evaluation of the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on remineralization of white… (2019) | SMD -0.43 [-0.79, -0.07] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Ungraded |
1.23% APF gel vs Sealant + 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 0.64 [0.44, 0.92] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
0.2% NaF mouthrinse + supervised toothbrushing vs 1.23% APF gel 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 0.91 [0.68, 1.22] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Low |
Interdental brushing 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 -0.05 [-0.13, 0.03] | 1 study · 31 participants | Very low |
Wooden 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 | Harms and adverse outcomes: Not reported (neither study reported on adverse effects). | 0 studies | No studies |
Intraoral fluoride-releasing glass bead device attached to the brace vs 250 ppm F (daily) fluoride mouthrinse 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 19 months Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane | RR 1.51 [0.73, 3.10] | 1 study · 37 participants | Very low |
Resin infiltration + 5% NaF varnish 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 1.61 [1.16, 2.24] | 7 studies · 1575 participants | Moderate |
12% SDF solution (applied annually) 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 0.91 [0.84, 0.98] | 1 study · 799 participants | Moderate |
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) vs Children and adolescents without JIA (healthy peers) Dental erosive wear · Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Oral health in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a systematic review and… (2019) | The present review lacked studies with focus on erosive wear; it concluded that for dental erosive wear there is no scientific evidence to answer the posed research questions. | 0 studies | No studies |