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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary education vs University education Mean number of decayed teeth (mean DT) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2004-2006, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.61 [0.44, 0.78] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.04, 2.99] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) PPV for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | PPV 58.3 | 38 studies | Ungraded |
Early extraction of a compromised first permanent molar vs Contralateral non-extraction side (same patient) Development and eruption of the second permanent molar · Children aged 5 to 15 years with a compromised first permanent molar Consequences of early extraction of compromised first permanent molar: a systematic review. (2018) | Root closure and eruption of the second permanent molar were accelerated on the extraction side versus the non-extraction side (Telli and Aytan; not statistically tested). Table 3: Category III, Class C. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Populations with a low level of schooling (>=33.60% of the population with low schooling) vs Populations with a higher level of schooling (<33.60% of the population with low schooling) Association with dental caries experience (DMFT) by random-effects meta-regression · Adults aged 19-60 years · Unadjusted model Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient -2.301079 | NR | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) PPV for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Germany Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | PPV 82.0 | 12 studies | Ungraded |
Populations with a lower proportion of university-educated people (<33.78% with university level) vs Populations with a higher proportion of university-educated people (>=33.78% with university level) Association with dental caries experience (DMFT) by random-effects meta-regression · Adults aged 19-60 years · Adjusted (Model 1) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient -4.132903 | NR | Ungraded |
Tempophore vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.21 [0.14, 75.68] | 1 study · 56 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · up to 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No clinical failure in any participant (Tuna 2008); not estimable (direct pulp capping) | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Lower university education (<33.78% of the population) vs Not applicable Mean DMFT · Adult participants in 25 meta-regression studies · Model 1 adjusted Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient -4.132903 | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Low income vs High income Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated oral health · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2004-2006, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 13.93 [11.06, 16.81] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries in primary dentition (presence) · Prenatal exposure; primary dentition; trim-and-fill adjusted (publication-bias sensitivity) Association between passive tobacco exposure and caries in children and adolescents. A systematic review and… (2018) | OR 1.46 [1.40, 1.52] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Secondary education vs University education Mean number of decayed teeth (mean DT) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2004-2006, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.3 [0.2, 0.5] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Electrosurgery vs Formocresol (FC) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 9 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 71.22] | 1 study · 70 participants | Ungraded |
Dental caries during pregnancy vs Pregnant women without dental caries Preterm birth stratified by gestational age at birth (moderate-to-late 32 to <37, very 28 to <32, extremely <28 weeks) · Pregnant women · By gestational age at birth Dental caries and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2018) | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | Ungraded |
Low income vs High income Mean number of decayed teeth (mean DT) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2004-2006, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.35 [0.24, 0.46] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs ZOE + calcium hydroxide + iodoform (MPRCF, unnamed product) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 42.63 [2.65, 685.54] | 1 study · 109 participants | Ungraded |
Post-secondary education vs University education Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated oral health · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2009, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 4.2 [-2.9, 11.2] | 1 study · 2041 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS) + mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Ferric sulphate (FS) Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · mean 22 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, adjacent tissue inflammation, radiolucency, root resorption, pulp canal obliteration (Doyle 2010); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; no significant differences | 1 study · 135 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Germany Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 36.0 [20, 56] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 4.75 [1.21, 18.55] | 4 studies · 161 participants | Low |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Negative LR for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Germany Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Negative LR 0.76 [0.58, 0.99] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Low polymerization shrinkage resin composite (silorane, ormocer, bulk-fill or other modified-monomer composite) vs Conventional methacrylate-based resin composite Marginal discoloration · People with permanent posterior teeth restored with class I or II direct restorations · 60 months Meta-analysis of the clinical behavior of posterior direct resin restorations: Low polymerization shrinkage… (2018) | Two articles (three experimental groups) evaluated marginal discoloration after 60 months; the meta-analysis showed no difference in the overall effect. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · up to 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No radiological failure in any participant; not estimable | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 and 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.50 [0.15, 1.64] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Positive LR for detecting advanced proximal caries · Proximal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Positive LR 9.82 [7.3, 13.3] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Overall failure Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review… (2018) | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
3Mix (ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + minocycline) vs 3Mixtatin Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No radiological failure in any participant; not estimable | 1 study · 160 participants | Ungraded |
Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Specificity for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Specificity 90.9 [88, 93] | 94 studies | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.81] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Negative LR for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Tailored to Egypt Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Negative LR 0.75 [0.6, 0.94] | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Formocresol (FC) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.11 [1.61, 6.02] | 1 study · 120 participants | Low |
Early extraction of a compromised mandibular first permanent molar vs Contralateral non-extraction side (same patient) Development and eruption of the third molar · Children aged 5 to 15 years with a compromised first permanent molar Consequences of early extraction of compromised first permanent molar: a systematic review. (2018) | OR 2.86 [1.37, 5.96] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Formocresol (FC) pulpotomy vs Calcium hydroxide pulpectomy Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Coser 2008 randomised 51 teeth; no data provided for any outcome | 0 studies | No studies |
Electrosurgery vs Ferric sulphate (FS) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.25 [0.38, 4.12] | 2 studies · 50 participants | Low |
Populations with a low level of schooling (>=33.60% of the population with low schooling) vs Populations with a higher level of schooling (<33.60% of the population with low schooling) Dental caries experience (DMFT) · Adults aged 19-60 years · Low schooling (>=33.60% with low schooling) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 9.63 [4.38, 14.89] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection vs Reference standard (often histological; also invasive opening) Advanced proximal carious lesions · Permanent molar surfaces in diagnostic accuracy studies (mostly in vitro; clinical) · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Specificity 95.5 [94, 97] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Primary education vs University education Prevalence of untreated decay (% DT > 0) · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2007-2009, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 22.11 [14.21, 30.02] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.25 [0.37, 4.27] | 2 studies · 100 participants | Very low |
Fluoride in rinse vs Placebo Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Randomisation year, NMR covariate Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.11 [0.01, 1.94] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Acetone-based total-etch adhesive Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 and 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.13, 69.52] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Dental caries during pregnancy vs Pregnant women without dental caries Preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) · Pregnant women Dental caries and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2018) | OR 1.16 [0.90, 1.49] | 5 studies · 4246 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic caries detection (bitewing radiography) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted) Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly… · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 38.6 [25, 54] | 14 studies | Ungraded |
Slow-release fluoride device (fluoride glass beads) vs Placebo or usual care (control) Retention of slow-release fluoride devices (devices staying intact) · Children with high risk of dental decay · 2 years Slow‐release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay (2018) · Cochrane | 132 (1 study); very low; Only 63/132 (47.7%) children who were still available at 2-year follow-up had the devices intact | 1 study · 132 participants | Very low |
Primary education vs University education Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated oral health · Adults aged 25 years and older in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States · 2007-2009, Canada Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 12.98 [6.23, 19.73] | 1 study · 3278 participants | Ungraded |
Populations with a lower proportion of university-educated people (<33.78% with university level) vs Populations with a higher proportion of university-educated people (>=33.78% with university level) Dental caries experience (DMFT) · Adults aged 19-60 years · Overall Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 10.78 [8.77, 12.79] | 18 studies | Ungraded |
Biodentine vs Formocresol (FC) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No clinical failure in any participant (El Meligy 2016); not estimable | 1 study · 112 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Radiological failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.10 [0.01, 0.72] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 12 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.15, 3.33] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Moderate |