Evaluation of the efficiency of fluoride-releasing adhesives for preventing secondary caries in-vitro: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of fluoride-releasing adhesives for the prevention of secondary caries on in-vitro tests. Materials and methods: This study was performed according to the PRISMA checklist. The bibliographic research was performed to identify in-vitro studies between January 2000 and September 2017. The selected studies were submitted to bias risk assessment and data extraction. In the meta-analysis the data were evaluated using Review Manager Software. Results: The 11 studies that met all inclusion criteria showed that the most common risks of bias were: absence of the sample size calculation description, absence of the single operator protocol and blind operation of the test machine. The meta-analysis was performed with six studies that used polarised light microscopy in order to quantify the mineral content of dentine and presented the values as means and standard deviations. Conclusions: Most of the authors presented that the fluoride-containing adhesive systems had a significant effect to reduce in-vitro secondary caries. The meta-analysis did not present statistical difference between fluoride-free and fluoride-containing adhesive systems. The artificial caries challenge methodology may have affected the results.