Authors' recommendations: Main Conclusions Past caries experience is the single best factor for prediction of future caries (Evidence Grade 1).It is possible to identify children and adolescents at very low risk of developing caries during the next 2–3 years (Evidence Grade 1). However, it is difficult to determine accurately which individuals are at risk of developing caries. For caries diagnosis, a combination of visual-tactile and radiographic examination is more reliable than either method used separately (Evidence Grade 3). In general, accuracy in excluding the presence of caries is greater than in confirming its presence (Evidence Grade 3). The likelihood that radiation-induced cancer will develop because of exposure to dental radiography is considered to be very small, but greater than zero. There is inadequate scientific support for complementary diagnostic methods. There are no studies of the cost-effectiveness of the various diagnostic methods. There is insufficient scientific support for any conclusion as to whether early caries lesions can be treated effectively by non-invasive methods.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.sbu.se/en/Published/Yellow/Caries--Diagnosis-Risk-Assessment-and-Non-Invasive-Treatment/

Year Published: 2007

URL for published report: https://www.sbu.se/en/publications/sbu-assesses/caries--diagnosis-risk-assessment-and-non-invasive-treatment/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Sweden

Organisation Name: Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services

Contact Address: P.O. Box 3657, SE-103 59 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 4123200, Fax: +46 8 4113260

Contact Name: registrator@sbu.se

Contact Email: registrator@sbu.se

Copyright: Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU)