Silver diamine fluoride (SDF): an innovative treatment to prevent caries in children
Caries is a common chronic disease that affects people of all ages, but mostly children. Existing treatments include dental sealants and fillings, but they have limitations. Silver diamine fluoride (Silver diamine fluoride) is an innovative and developing treatment to prevent caries in which there is no need to drill the tooth to repair it.
What is SDF?
SDF is a liquid solution containing silver and fluoride. Silver acts as an antibacterial agent, killing bacteria that cause tooth decay, and fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against tooth decay.
SDF efficiency:
A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) published in JAMA Pediatrics included 4,104 children in elementary schools in New York. The children were randomized to receive treatment with SDF or standard dental sealants. After 4 years, SDF was found to be as effective as dental sealants in preventing caries:
- Reducing the incidence of new holes: 23.8% in SDF compared to 22.2% in sealants
- Decreasing the incidence of smooth surface caries: 24.3% in SDF compared to 23.1% in sealants
SDF advantages:
- Similar efficacy to sealants: SDF has been shown to be as effective as dental sealants in preventing caries.
- Easier to use: SDF is easier to apply than sealants, which can make treatment cheaper and easier to perform in areas with limited resources.
- Effective: SDF is significantly cheaper than dental sealants, which can make it a more accessible treatment.
- Painless: There is no need to anesthetize or drill the tooth, the tooth remains intact.
SDF Disadvantages:
- Potential side effects: SDF may cause temporary irritation of soft tissues in the mouth and permanent staining of the teeth.
- Limited research: More studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of SDF over time and in diverse populations.
Using SDF:
SDF is used in many parts of the world, but is not approved by the FDA for caries prophylaxis in the United States. However, it can be used off-label at the dentist's discretion.
Conclusions:
SDF is an innovative and developing treatment to prevent caries in children. (and these days in trials on adults)
It has been proven to be as effective as dental sealants, easier to use and cheaper.
However, more studies are required to evaluate its effectiveness over time and in diverse populations.
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References:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2815515
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036176
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6500430/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5985673/#:~:text=The%20available%20limited%20evidence%20on,with%20varying%20levels%20of%20dependency
