Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant-Derived Compounds on Tooth Erosion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of In Situ and In Vitro Studies
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Tooth erosion is the nonbacterial and irreversible pathological dissolution of enamel and dentin, and is primarily influenced by lifestyle. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of plant-derived compounds on tooth erosion using evidence from in vitro and in situ studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023493906) and search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Embase databases until July 5, 2025. In vitro and in situ original studies that investigated the effects of plant-based interventions on dental erosion, with a control group, were included. In vivo studies and those plants combined with non-plant substances were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool. Meta-analyses were performed when appropriate. Mechanical and ultrastructure assessments used to evaluate surface loss, hardness, and morphological changes were also reviewed.
RESULTS: Out of 1119 studies, 38 studies met the inclusion criteria; 22 studies assessed preventive effects, and 18 assessed the therapeutic effects, and one study that evaluated both the effects. Most studies had a medium risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that quercetin as a preventive measure, significantly reduced dentin loss by 4.95 µm with high heterogeneity (I2 = 98%). For therapeutic measures, green tea reduced dentin loss by 0.89 µm, whereas epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) did not significantly…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in cell cultures (in vitro), not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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