Silver Diamine Fluoride - What is SDF and is it Right for You?
When we diagnose a patient at Downtown Dentist SF with cavities, one of the options that we suggest is silver diamine fluoride or SDF.
Naturally, we receive a lot of follow up questions about this product because it is not one of the household dental terms you are accustomed to hearing.
SDF is a safe option that is perfect for those who are hesitant around dental tools. It is a simple solution that helps treat cavities without all the drilling and anaesthetic that is needed for fillings.
It is also a reliable solution that will last longer than other treatments such as fluoride varnish. SDF is great for children and elderly patients, easy to apply, and has a handful of benefits that simply can’t be ignored.
With that, however, there are still some side effects. To figure out if SDF is right for you, here is an in-depth look at what it is. We also explain how we use it at our office in Downtown Dentist SF.
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What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver diamine fluoride is a compound mixture of silver, ammonia, and fluoride. These three ingredients are then mixed together with water to dilute the solution.
Although SDF has been around in Asia for over 80 years, it only became federally approved in the U.S. by the FDA in 2014.
Suffice to say that there have been plenty of studies on this substance to give it the stamp of approval by dentists. In fact, because of this research, the FDA fast-tracked the approval of silver diamine fluoride, which is the first time this has happened for treatments in dental therapy.
What is SDF Used For?
The silver in SDF helps kill bacteria while the fluoride does its regular job by working to strengthen your enamel and fight off cavities. The combination makes it possible to “paint” a layer onto your teeth (especially where there might be cavities). This eliminates the need to use dental instruments that some patients may be sensitive to.
At our dental office, we recommend this treatment to patients who are showing signs of enamel deterioration or small cavities. We also offer this to cavities that are located deep into the gums or other areas hard to reach to place other restorative dental work. This is also the perfect treatment for those who don't enjoy treatments that involve dental instruments (such as fillings). We especially like to recommend this service to children who may be new to the dental chair or elderly patients that can not tolerate longer dental appointments.
Side Effects of SDF
If you are allergic to silver, we can not use this treatment on your cavities.
Another side effect of SDF is staining. When it is applied to dental caries or other tissues of the mouth such as lips and skin it causes significant, black staining due to formation of silver oxide. Superficial black staining of the skin and oral tissue tends to resolve within days as the outer layer cells slough off. In contrast, unrestored caries lesions treated with SDF remain black permanently — a significant aesthetic problem especially in front teeth. Therefore mechanical removal of the SDF arrested dental caries and placement of a tooth restoration such as white filling is recommended.
What are the Benefits?
The benefits of silver diamine fluoride far outweigh the side effects. The solution helps strengthen your teeth and fight the bacteria in your mouth which causes cavities.
It also provides you with a long-lasting solution. Typically it is used along with dental varnish, and your dentist will want to reapply the solution multiple times a year in order to fully stop the caries process.
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Looking for an easy solution for your cavities? Contact us to see if SDF is right for you!