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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Secondary 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 · 2009, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 14.1 [5.1, 23.1] | 1 study · 2041 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) Specificity 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) | Specificity 77.8 [70, 84] | 14 studies | Ungraded |
Total-etching 36% phosphoric acid + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Acetone-based total-etch adhesive Clinical 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 |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs ZOE + calcium hydroxide + iodoform (MPRCF, unnamed product) 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 21.79 [1.32, 360.78] | 1 study · 109 participants | Ungraded |
Medium 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 · 2009, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.4 [0.2, 0.6] | 1 study · 2041 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide (CH) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) 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 2.50 [0.50, 12.50] | 2 studies · 110 participants | Low |
Fluoride in varnish vs No treatment 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 |
Endoflas (CH + ZOE + iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) 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 0.26 [0.05, 1.50] | 2 studies · 80 participants | Moderate |
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) 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 1.00 [0.31, 3.27] | 2 studies · 62 participants | Moderate |
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) Negative LR 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) | Negative LR 0.29 [0.2, 0.4] | 55 studies | Ungraded |
Placebo vs No treatment Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | 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) Positive 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… · Conventional meta-analysis (all studies) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Positive LR 3.46 [2.8, 4.3] | 67 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride in dentifrice vs No treatment 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 |
Populations in countries with a lower Human Development Index (high category, HDI <0.800) vs Populations in countries with a higher Human Development Index (very high, HDI >=0.800) Dental caries experience (DMFT) · Adults aged 19-60 years · High HDI (<0.800) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 10.01 [5.34, 14.69] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Metapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Zinc oxide and propolis (ZOP) 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 0.80 [0.26, 2.45] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Portland cement (PC) vs Full strength formocresol (FC) Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6, 12 and 24 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | RR 2.00 [0.19, 21.06] | 1 study · 70 participants | Ungraded |
Acetone-based total-etch adhesive 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 · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Ferric sulphate (FS) vs Buffered glutaraldehyde Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Assessed pain, soft tissue, mobility, radiolucency, root resorption, pulp canal obliteration (Goyal 2016); no clinical/radiological failure outcome; no significant differences | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) vs RC Fill Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Listed as a pulpectomy comparison; no extractable outcome data reported in this version | 0 studies | No studies |
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) · Tailored meta-analysis (Egypt) Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and… (2018) | Sensitivity 44.4 [38, 51] | 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 · 2003-2004, United States Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 20.11 [15.76, 24.47] | 1 study · 4568 participants | Ungraded |
Sealapex (eugenol-free calcium hydroxide) 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 [0.10, 2.43] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Secondary 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 · 2004-2006, Australia Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 14.4 [7.7, 21.0] | 1 study · 5073 participants | Ungraded |
Endoflas (CH + ZOE + iodoform) vs RC Fill Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Listed as a pulpectomy comparison but no extractable outcome data reported in this version | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluoride in gel vs Placebo Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs IRM (intermediate restorative material) Outcome NR · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | Listed as a pulpectomy comparison; no extractable outcome data reported in this version | 0 studies | No studies |
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 · 2003-2004, United States Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 20.8 [16.3, 25.4] | 1 study · 4568 participants | Ungraded |
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs Formocresol (FC) 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 7.00 [0.39, 124.83] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Older mean age (>33.4 years) 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 5.248158 | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs RC Fill Clinical failure · Children with extensive decay involving the dental pulp in primary teeth · 6, 12 and 30 months Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth (2018) · Cochrane | No clinical failure in any participant at 6/12/30 months (Pramila 2016); not estimable | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) 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 28.00 [4.07, 192.79] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) 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 0.20 [0.03, 1.59] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Early extraction of a compromised first permanent molar vs Non-extraction (retained first permanent molar) or contralateral non-extraction side Post-extraction space (spontaneous space closure / decrease in space) · 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) | Spontaneous space closure ranged from 45.5% to 85.2% overall (maxilla 33.3% to 94%, mandible 50% to 75%). Table 3 conclusion: early extraction of compromised FPM leads to decrease in post extraction space (Category III… | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Portland cement (PC) vs Full strength 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 0.80 [0.23, 2.73] | 1 study · 70 participants | Ungraded |
Total-etching 36% phosphoric acid + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Non-rinse conditioner + acetone-based total-etch adhesive 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 7.00 [0.38, 127.33] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Older adults (population mean age >33.4 years) vs Younger adults (population mean age <=33.4 years) Dental caries experience (DMFT) · Adults aged 19-60 years · Older (mean age >33.4 years) Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | MEAN 11.50 [6.49, 16.51] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 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 0.33 [0.01, 7.88] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Human Development Index (quantitative) vs Not applicable Mean DMFT · Adult participants in 25 meta-regression studies · Model 2 adjusted Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review… (2018) | Meta-regression coefficient 6.901906 | 7 studies | Ungraded |
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 · 2009, New Zealand Socioeconomic status, oral health and dental disease in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (2018) | AD 0.80 [0.41, 1.20] | 1 study · 2041 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) NPV 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) | NPV 85.0 | 11 studies | Ungraded |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) vs Ferric sulphate (FS) 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 0.58 [0.25, 1.36] | 3 studies · 130 participants | Low |
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) · Tailored meta-analysis (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 |
Calcium hydroxide + sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs Calcium hydroxide (CH) 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 0.63 [0.23, 1.70] | 1 study · 62 participants | Ungraded |
Low polymerization shrinkage resin composite (silorane, ormocer, bulk-fill or other modified-monomer composite) vs Conventional methacrylate-based resin composite Marginal adaptation (clinically detectable deterioration) · People with permanent posterior teeth restored with class I or II direct restorations · 24 months Meta-analysis of the clinical behavior of posterior direct resin restorations: Low polymerization shrinkage… (2018) | Odds ratio (OR) 1.46 [0.92, 2.33] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Self-etch adhesive + acetone-based total-etch adhesive vs Total-etching 36% phosphoric acid + acetone-based total-etch adhesive 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, 2.94] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) vs 1:5 diluted formocresol (FC) 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 1.86 [0.52, 6.59] | 2 studies · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium hydroxide cement (Dycal) vs Calcium sulphate hemihydrate (DentoGen) 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 1.67 [0.46, 6.06] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Biodentine vs Propolis 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 | RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.81] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement vs Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.94] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Vitapex (calcium hydroxide/iodoform) vs Sealapex (eugenol-free calcium hydroxide) 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 0.20 [0.01, 3.92] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |