Since 1992
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By Peter Vayanos, DMD
Smile Solutions
Many times young children simply can’t sit still for the duration of a traditional filling appointment or the trauma that can be associated with the cavity filling process is enough to create fear for the patient moving forward. The same can be seen with elderly patients who have limited mobility and difficulty keeping their teeth clean.
Both of these groups can benefit from a somewhat new dental material, Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF.
SDF is a medication that has been shown to stop the process of cavity progression without the need for drilling. It is a liquid that is applied using simple brushes onto the tooth and then following it up with a fluoride varnish, which is a thicker gel that helps lock the solution into the tooth. The tooth needs to have multiple layers of the material put on over the first month of treatment, followed by routine reapplication at cleaning appointments in the future.
This new material and technique does, however, have some drawbacks. The main issue being that SDF stains the cavity a dark color and it also does not fill the cavity, leaving an open space where the breakdown was. Because of its limitations, it is seen as a good option in cases where a traditional filling may not be possible, typically for young and elderly patients.
While SDF cannot be used to treat every case, and may not be a choice for every patient, it is another tool in the tool belt to help treat cavities. To learn more about SDF, visit mmclibrary.com.
