Detection Methods for Early Caries Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim was to appraise the evidence on performance of various means for detection incipient caries in vivo. Five databases published and unpublished research were searched studies from January 2000 October 2019. Search terms included “early caries” “caries detection.” Inclusion criteria involved diagnostic test accuracy early permanent primary teeth. A risk-of-bias assessment performed using QUADAS-2 tool. We study selection, data extraction, duplicate. review protocol a priori registered Open Science Framework. Of initially 22,964 search results, 51 articles included. For teeth, when histologic examination considered as reference occlusal surfaces, sensitivity (Se) range appeared high DIAGNOdent Pen (DD Pen) at 0.81–0.89, followed by ICDAS-II 0.62–1, (DD) 0.48–1, bitewing radiography (BW) 0–0.29. corresponding specificity (Sp) was: DD 0.71–0.8, 0.5–0.84, 0.54–1, BW 0.96–1. When operative intervention served again, valued most promising results Se: 0.7–0.96 0.55–0.90, 0.25–0.93, 0–0.83. Sp 0.71–1, 0.44–1, 0.6–1. approximal Se 0.75–0.83, 0.6, 0.54; 0.6–0.9, 0.2, 1. under assessment, surfaces 0.55–1, 0.63–1, 0.42–1, 0.31–0.96; respective 0.5–1, 0.61–1, 0.79–0.98. 0.58–0.63, 0.42–0.55, 0.14–0.71. 0.85–0.87, 0.73–0.93, values varied, due heterogeneity regarding setting individual studies. Evidently, robust conclusions cannot be drawn, different should used adjuncts clinical examination. In visual may enhanced surfaces. serve supplementary tool across all