Is Silver Diamine Fluoride Right for Your Child's Cavity?

Silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, is an FDA-cleared treatment for tooth sensitivity. Increasingly, though, dental experts — including the American Dental Association (ADA) — have been turning to it for another use: stopping the progression of cavities. 

Irene Zaki, DDS, uses SDF here at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry because she knows what it can do to help slow tooth decay. SDF can save kids from needing a filling and the drilling that comes with it. It’s excellent for children with dental anxiety. 

If your child needs a filling and you're interested in exploring another option, visit Dr. Zaki at our office in Riverside, California. She can evaluate your child’s tooth and see if this drill-free option could be right for your family. 

SDF 101

Silver diamine fluoride is an antimicrobial liquid. As its name suggests, it contains both silver and fluoride. The silver kills the microbes that contribute to cavities, while fluoride helps to strengthen the decay-damaged tooth. 

Together, those ingredients work to prevent the cavity from growing. A recent study funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) specifically examined the use of SDF in children. It found that 54% of cavities treated with silver diamine fluoride stopped progressing. 

Silver diamine fluoride gives Dr. Zaki a drill-free way to address the bacteria causing the tooth decay and lessen your child’s need for more involved cavity treatment. 

Not every tooth is a candidate for SDF. Dr. Zaki uses tools such as examinations and X-rays to determine if SDF is right for your child. 

What to expect with silver diamine fluoride 

To apply this treatment, Dr. Zaki surrounds the affected tooth with gauze, then removes moisture from the tooth’s surface, which allows her to apply the SDF to any areas with decay directly. 

There’s no downtime after treatment. Your child can head straight back to doing what they enjoy.

Parents should know that SDF can discolor the tooth where your child has decay. Dr. Zaki can cover that with filling materials or a crown.

While SDF treatment slows cavity progression, it doesn’t make your child’s tooth entirely impervious to further decay. It’s essential to visit our team every 3–6 months so Dr. Zaki can assess the tooth and determine if any additional treatment is necessary. She may recommend periodically reapplying the silver diamine fluoride to defend the tooth against further decay. 

In many cases, SDF stops the cavity and prevents your child from needing a filling and the drilling that comes with it. If you want to explore silver diamine fluoride for your family, call Happy Teeth Children's Dentistry or book your visit online today.