Repair your kid’s decayed teeth with a drop of SDF
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a medicinal fluid used in dentistry to prevent cavities from progressing and spreading to the adjacent teeth. This is a clinically-proven, pain-free treatment to instantly stop the process of tooth decay. Currently, dentists prescribe SDF treatments instead of tooth drilling to treat milk teeth and address carious lesions in adult teeth.
While topical solutions like dental sealants prevent future cavities, invasive treatments tend to remove the tooth’s decayed portions. However, SDF is somewhat different from those as it aims at stopping cavities right away.
Despite it seems incredible, the treatment has some limitations as well. Keep reading to know more about this cavity treatment.
How does SDF treatment stop the caries process?
SDF consists of silver, fluoride, ammonia, and water. Each content has its purpose of stopping tooth decay process.
- Silver – Combat and kill bacteria
- Fluoride – Restores the mineral components of a tooth’s outermost layer for strengthening.
- Ammonia – Keeps the mixture concentrated thereby the fluid is very effective in preventing cavity growth once it is formed.
- Water – Gives liquid base for the mixture.
When SDF is applied over a tooth, its contents penetrate the tooth for remineralization and eliminate harmful microbes that wear down the tooth. In certain cases, the mixture helps fortify the dentin layer so that it is applied to treat teeth sensitivity.
How is SDF applied?
As mentioned earlier, Silver Diamine Fluoride is a non-invasive, painless procedure. The treatment steps include:
1) Clean the Tooth – Dentists begin the procedure with tooth preparation. It involves harmful microbes, plaque build-up, food debris, some portion of the cavity are removed in this stage.
2) Apply a protective coating – Dentists apply a protective coating of vaseline over lips, cheeks whereas petroleum jelly is preferred to cover gums. It prevents staining on those oral tissues after the treatment gets over.
3) Isolate the area – Now the dentists place a gauze or cotton roll near the problematic tooth to prevent saliva from moisturizing it.
4) Moisture Removal – Then the existing moisture on the tooth surface is removed using a vacuum suction tool and dry the tooth with compressed air.
5) Applying SDF – Once the infected tooth/teeth are prepped, dentists would apply the SDF mixture directly over the affected regions using a micro brush. Then the treated tooth is air-dried and at times, light curing is required to make the mixture penetrate deep inside the tooth.
What are the advantages of SDF treatment?
Here are some of the reasons why Silver Diamine Fluoride is more advantageous than other cavity treatments:
- Faster
- Painless
- Available at reasonable prices
- Safe
- Efficient to prevent cavities
- Suitable for people who are sensitive to drilling instruments
Will SDF treatments cause any side effects?
Similar to other oral treatments, SDF has some minor drawbacks. They include:
- Black stains in areas over the teeth surface where the liquid is applied. If the oral tissues are exposed to SDF, they also get stains but they go away as time passes by. However, the teeth stains are irreversible but they can be addressed with appropriate cosmetic appliances.
- It is applicable only when the cavity is diagnosed in an early stage. If caries progresses deep and infects the nerves, SDF treatments will not be helpful.
- SDF treatments are not suitable for people with silver allergies, gum diseases, and canker sores.
Bottom line
Silver Diamine Fluoride is an antimicrobial liquid and it is a perfect replacement for kids’ cavity treatments. Applying one drop of this fluid topically is powerful to stop cavities in 8 teeth. It is categorized as a medical II (i.e.) it does not hold any potential risks so that you can go for this treatment to treat the decayed teeth of your little champ.
