Repair of partially defective restorations: Systematic review and meta-analysis of patient acceptance

•Dentists can expect their patients to accept or even prefer repairs.•86.3 % of the dentists / dental students reported that their patients accept or even prefer repairs.•93.0 % of the dental schools reported that patients accept or even prefer repairs. This systematic review attempted to assess patient acceptance of repairs instead of complete replacement for partially defective restorations and to identify factors affecting patients’ decision-making for or against repairs. Observational and qualitative studies reporting on (1) the proportion of patients accepting or preferring repairs, (2) the proportion of dentists / dental students / dental schools stating that their patients accept or prefer repairs, (3) factors affecting patients’ decision-making for or against repairs. Electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE via Ovid, and Web of Science) were last searched in August 2024 (PROSPERO database: CRD42023449437). Twenty-one sources reporting on 20 survey studies addressing individual dentists / dental students and dental schools were included. None of the included studies directly addressed patients (e.g., by interviewing patients). Of the surveyed dentists and dental students, 86.3 % (95 %-CI: 77.8–91.8 %) reported that their patients accept or prefer repairs. Dental schools rated patient acceptance as high as 93.0 % (95 %-CI: 82.3–97.4 %). None of the included studies reported factors affecting patients’ decision-making for or against repairs. Repairs of partially defective restorations instead of complete replacement seem to be associated with a high level of patient acceptance as most dentists, dental students, and dental schools stated that their patients accept or even prefer repairs instead of complete replacement. Within the shared decision-making process, dentists can expect their patients to accept or even prefer repairs instead of complete replacement.