Table 3 Details of identified research gaps in clinical topics related to trial precision

Imprecision of results [A]

Too few clinical trials

Caries on restoration margins on permanent teeth: C-GIC tooth restorations vs. Amalgam tooth restorations [4]

Caries on restoration margins on primary teeth: C-GIC tooth restorations vs. Amalgam tooth restorations [4]

Success of restorations in permanent teeth: ART vs. Amalgam tooth restorations (Class II), (Class V) [5]

Success of Class II restorations in primary teeth: ART vs. Amalgam tooth restorations [5]

Caries lesions on adjacent permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [6]

Carious lesions around orthodontic brackets: RM-GIC vs. Composite bonding (NF) [7]

Caries on restoration margins on primary teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [7]

Caries on restoration margins on permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [7]

Caries-free restoration margins on permanent teeth: C-GIC vs. RM-GIC restorations [9]

Pulp response on teeth with deep caries: RM-GIC vs. CaOH cement [10]

Sample size too small

Caries on restoration margins on primary teeth: C-GIC tooth restorations vs. Amalgam tooth restorations [4]

Success of restorations in permanent teeth: ART vs. Amalgam tooth restorations (Class II), (Class V) [5]

Carious lesions around orthodontic brackets: RM-GIC vs. Composite bonding (NF) [7]

Caries on restoration margins on permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (NF) [7]

Pulp response on teeth with deep caries: RM-GIC vs. CaOH cement [10]

Confidence intervals (95% CI) wide enough to include superiority and inferiority

Caries-free restoration margins on permanent teeth: C-GIC vs. RM-GIC restorations [9]

Inconsistency of results [B]

Contradicting directions of effect sizes/Large differences between effect sizes

Caries on pits and fissures of sealed permanent teeth: C-GIC vs. resin-based sealants [3]

Carious lesions around orthodontic brackets: RM-GIC vs. Composite bonding (NF) [7]

Caries on restoration margins on permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (NF) [7]

Unexplained heterogeneity

Caries on pits and fissures of sealed permanent teeth: C-GIC vs. resin-based sealants [3]

Only 1 trial found – no assessment of consistency possible

Success of restorations in permanent teeth: ART vs. Amalgam tooth restorations (Class II) [5]

Caries lesions on adjacent permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [6]

Caries on restoration margins on primary teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [7]

Caries on restoration margins on permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F) [7]

Lack of right information [C]

Only/mostly surrogate outcomes accessed

Caries lesions on adjacent permanent teeth: RM-GIC vs. Composite restorations (F), (NF) [7]

Pulp response on teeth with deep caries: RM-GIC vs. CaOH cement [10]