Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride
Caries Arrest
- Arrest is a stable condition where a cavity is no longer growing and the surface is hard.
- Many trials on SDF efficacy for caries arrest have been completed among different populations and with various protocols.
- Overall, SDF is 81% effective for caries arrest, based on a meta-analysis of multiple randomized trials.
Photo with permission, R Bernstein, MD
Application of SDF for caries treatment
Caries Prevention using SDF
- Patients whose cavities are treated with SDF get approximately 77% fewer new cavities compared to placebo or no treatment control groups.
- SDF-treated caries lesions act as reservoirs for silver and fluoride, decreasing caries activity throughout the mouth.
- SDF has twice the fluoride concentration as fluoride varnish, and therefore 8 times higher fluoride absorption potential (diffusion coefficient).
Photo with permission: J Horst-Keeper, DDS
Example of a patient with severe early childhood caries, treated with SDF and never developed new decay
References:
Gao SS, Zhao IS, Hiraishi N, Duangthip D, Mei ML, Lo ECM, Chu CH. Clinical Trials of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Caries among Children: A Systematic Review. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2016 Oct;1(3):201-210. doi: 10.1177/2380084416661474. Epub 2016 Aug 20. PMID: 30931743.
Oliveira BH, Rajendra A, Veitz-Keenan A, Niederman R. The Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Preventing Caries in the Primary Dentition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Caries Res. 2019;53(1):24-32.
Duffin, S., (2012). Back to the future: the medical management of caries introduction. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2012 Nov;40(11): 852-8.