Silver Diamine Fluoride
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride is an antimicrobial liquid that is able to treat cavities in a non-invasive, fast, affordable, and painless manner.
How does Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) work?
Silver Diamine Fluoride is composed of two primary components: silver and fluoride. Silver acts as an anti-microbial agent that simultaneously strengthens the underlying protective layer of your child’s teeth called dentin. Fluoride is the active ingredient that puts a stop to tooth decay and helps prevent additional decay from appearing.
SDF helps harden the tooth structure softened by decay and keeps the affected teeth stable until a dentist determines if further action is necessary to preserve the health of the teeth.
One of the greatest benefits of SDF is that it carries very little risk and is generally free of side effects. The most prominent risk is a completely aesthetic one – blackening of the treated tooth. Stained tooth structure can be replaced with a filling or crown in the future- depending on child cooperation and parental wishes.
SDF can also temporarily stain any tissue surfaces it contacts: for example lips and gums; this staining is temporary and fades in a week or so as the skin cells shed naturally.
The area with tooth decay stains black – this can happen in a day or may take longer. The blackening is a sign that the SDF treatment is working.
SDF will stain clothing, toys and work surfaces – all efforts will be made to avoid touching anything except the carious teeth, but this can be challenging especially with younger patients.
Patients with allergies to Silver should not receive SDF.
Patients who have sores or ulcers in their mouth are not good candidates for SDF.
If the tooth decay is into the nerve of the tooth, SDF should not be applied. If parents are unhappy with Black discoloration on their child’s decayed teeth, SDF will not be applied.
Benefits of Receiving SDF
- Relieves dental sensitivity
- Helps to stop tooth decay
- Helps to buy time for patients who are very young, fearful, or have special needs that may otherwise require Sedation or General Anaesthesia (GA) for traditional dental treatment.