Objectives This umbrella review evaluates systematic reviews and meta-analyses for salivary biomarker concentration and activity in caries-affected versus caries-free children.

Methods A comprehensive literature search identified relevant reviews, which were systematically selected using PRISMA guidelines, assessed qualitatively with AMSTAR 2, and analyzed quantitatively using RevMan software. Certainty of evidence was evaluated via the GRADE assessment tool.

Results Of 609 identified articles, three reviews were included for quantitative analysis. AMSTAR 2 assessments rated three reviews as high quality and one as low quality. Meta-analysis findings showed that for salivary secretory immunoglobulin-A concentration with a mean of 65.54, with a 2.24 higher concentration (0.59 to 3.89 higher) in caries-affected children; carbonic anhydrase-VI concentration with a mean of 2.18, with a 0.92 lower concentration (2.21 lower to 0.38 higher) in caries-affected children; and carbonic anhydrase-VI activity with a mean of 3698.30, with a 2.89 higher activity level (1.24 to 4.54 higher) in caries-affected children. Heterogeneity was low for carbonic anhydrase, high for Salivary secretory immunoglobulin-A, and publication bias risk was low. The GRADE assessment indicated moderate confidence in evidence suggesting slight differences in Salivary secretory immunoglobulin-A and carbonic anhydrase-VI levels in caries-affected children.

Conclusions Caries-affected children under age nine exhibit higher salivary secretory immunoglobulin-A concentration and carbonic anhydrase-VI activity but lower carbonic anhydrase-VI concentration. Current evidence suggests that screening with these three salivary biomarker tests are likely to benefit and unlikely to harm children. Widespread clinical application remains limited until U.S. commercial laboratories provide standardized saliva-based testing for salivary secretory immunoglobulin-A and carbonic anhydrase-VI.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study was funded by the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Hospitals, New York, NY

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