EFFECTIVENESS OF RESIN INFILTRATION IN CARIES INHIBITION AND AESTHETIC APPEARANCE IMPROVEMENT OF WHITE-SPOT LESIONS: AN UMBRELLA REVIEW
Abstract
Objectives Resin infiltration technique is a minimal interventive approach to manage white-spot lesions. The present umbrella review aimed to comprehensively appraise the previously published systematic reviews on the effectiveness of resin infiltration in arresting caries progression and improving the aesthetic appearance of white-spot lesions. Material and methods Ten electronic databases were searched between January 1960 and May 2021. Only systematic reviews published in English on the use of resin infiltration in primary or permanent teeth were included. The degree of overlap across each review was calculated using the Corrected Covered Areas method and their evidence quality were assessed using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 assessment tool. Umbrella meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model. Results Thirteen systematic reviews were chosen, but only eight were eligible for an umbrella meta-analysis. The overall Corrected Covered Areas value was very high (19.8%), whereas only three studies were classified as 'High Quality'. Qualitative synthesis suggested that resin infiltration demonstrated acceptable aesthetic results, whereas quantitative analysis showed favourable outcomes in minimizing the risk of caries progression (RR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.29-0.36). White-spot lesions treated with resin infiltrant in permanent teeth demonstrated a lower risk of caries progression (P < .001) than primary teeth. Overall, low data heterogeneity was observed (I 2: 0%-20%). However, quantitative umbrella analysis on the aesthetic outcome was unable to perform due to limited data. Conclusion Resin infiltration can be regarded as an effective treatment modality in minimizing the risk of caries progression and improving the aesthetic appearance of white-spot lesions. Future well-designed high-quality systematic reviews with long-term follow-up and more control of confounding variables are warranted.
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Resin infiltration may involve a higher initial expense compared to fluoride varnish applications.
“The cost is an important factor to consider, as resin infiltration may involve a higher initial expense compared to fluoride varnish applications.”
From Minimally Invasive Techniques for Managing Dental Caries in Children: Efficacy, Applications, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [58]
Resin infiltration is sensitive and demands careful moisture management; even slight saliva contamination can compromise resin penetration and bond strength, affecting durability.
“While resin infiltration offers several benefits, it is important to note that the technique is sensitive and demands careful moisture management during its application. Even slight contamination from saliva can compromise the penetration of the resin and the strength of the bond, ultimately affecting its durability over time [58].”
From Minimally Invasive Techniques for Managing Dental Caries in Children: Efficacy, Applications, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [58]
Silver diamine fluoride is highly effective in arresting dental caries but tends to cause permanent black staining, raising considerable aesthetic issues.
“Similarly, silver diamine fluoride is highly effective in arresting dental caries; however, its tendency to cause permanent black staining raises considerable aesthetic issues.”
From Minimally Invasive Techniques for Managing Dental Caries in Children: Efficacy, Applications, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [58]
Cites
The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., et al. (2021) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.n71 · Cited by 108,283 · see citing works
Systematic review finds overlapping reviews were not mentioned in every other overview
Pieper, D., Antoine, S.-L., Mathes, T., Neugebauer, E. A. M., & Eikermann, M. (2014) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2013.11.007 · Cited by 1,318 · see citing works
Methodology in conducting a systematic review of systematic reviews of healthcare interventions
Smith, V., Devane, D., Begley, C. M., & Clarke, M. (2011) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/1471-2288-11-15 · Cited by 1,227 · see citing works
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AL-Kaff, A. A., Alshehri, A. Z., Alasmari, R. A., Alsubaie, N., Aldaws, A., Althaqeel, A., Alshehri, R. S., & Alawaji, Y. M. (2025) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.87450 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Even slight contamination from saliva can compromise the penetration of the resin and the strength of the bond, ultimately affecting its durability over time [58].”
Influential
- Authors
- LIN, G. S. S., CHAN, D. Z. K., LEE, H. Y., LOW, T. T., LAER, T. S., PILLAI, M. P. M., YEW, Y. Q., & WAFA, S. W. W. S. S. T.
- Affiliations
- AIMST University (MY)
- Ministry of Health (MY)
- University of Malaya (MY)
- Corresponding author
- LIN, GALVIN SIM SIANG
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-09
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 101723
- ISSN
- 1532-3382 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4288061490
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 1.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental materials and restorations
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental Erosion and Treatment
- Keywords
- resin infiltration, white spot lesions, caries progression, caries arrest, dental aesthetics, enamel remineralization, primary teeth, permanent teeth, minimal intervention
- MeSH terms
- Dental Caries, Dental Caries Susceptibility, Esthetics, Dental, Humans, Dentition, Permanent
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