Nonrestorative treatment of initial caries lesion in primary teeth: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective To identify the best available approach to avoid initial caries lesions progression in primary teeth. Materials and methods Search was performed in MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and CENTRAL databases until March 2021. Studies compared treatment options to avoid the initial caries lesion progression with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Network meta-analyses were conducted considering the non-progression of caries lesions as an outcome. Results Potentially eligible studies were screened (n = 2820) and eleven were included. Six studies evaluated the use of fluoride varnish, resin infiltration, sealing, and toothbrushing/flossing on proximal initial caries lesions. When considering occlusal surfaces, only two studies evaluating the ozone gas, fluoride varnish, resin infiltration, and sealants were included. For buccal/lingual surfaces, three studies evaluating toothbrushing, CPP-ACP paste, fluoride varnish, and resin infiltration were included. For all types of surfaces, the resin infiltration showed the best probability to avoid the progression of initial caries lesions. Conclusion The limited number of included studies, most with a high risk of bias and lack of hard outcomes, such as frank cavitation, makes it not feasible to recommend a specific management approach for initial caries lesion control in primary teeth with a high certainty of evidence. PROSPERO: #CRD42016037781.