How would you feel if you learned your child had cavities? Many parents experience anxiety upon hearing this news, often because the idea of having their child sit through a filling or being sedated for the dental treatment makes them uneasy. While in many situations fillings on children can be done quickly and safely, an alternative treatment option has recently emerged that is fast, non-invasive, and safe: Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). SDF has been changing the way pediatric dentists such as myself do dentistry because it allows us to treat tooth decay without having to give a shot or use a drill.
SDF is a liquid medication with silver and fluoride as its main ingredients. It was first formulated and introduced in Japan in 1969 and has been used as dental treatment in countries with little access to care since then. In 2014 the FDA approved usage of SDF in the United States. The silver ions in SDF kill bacteria that cause tooth decay, while the fluoride works to harden teeth. This treatment is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and has low toxicity, so it is safe and effective, arresting about 80% of lesions. The major downside of SDF treatment is that it will irreversibly stain the tooth black wherever there is decay, and it will stain skin or clothes that it comes into contact with. This is only an esthetic concern, and the discoloration can often be masked by covering the lesions with a special filling. It is important to note that not all teeth can be treated with SDF, particularly if the tooth has developed an infection or if the decay has already reached the nerve of the tooth.
SDF is an excellent treatment option for patients who are pre-cooperative, fearful, or have special healthcare needs. It can also be used as an alternative to sedation or to buy time until a child is more cooperative. The process is easy: the tooth to be treated is gently dried and a drop of the medication is applied to the desired area using a tiny brush or floss. The treated area is then covered with fluoride varnish to help keep the medication in contact with the decayed surface. Depending on the size of the cavity, SDF may have to be reapplied periodically. After the decay has been arrested, it may be recommended to treat the tooth with a SMART (Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Technique) filling, which is a white medicated filling that seals off the tooth and is usually done without any shots or drilling. I often recommend SMART restorations because it helps to prevent the cavity from becoming active again and it improves esthetics.
In my office, I am happy to offer SDF and SMART fillings as a viable treatment option and alternative to traditional fillings. It is great to provide a non-invasive treatment that is easy for my patients to tolerate while still keeping their teeth healthy and strong.
Dr. Roxanna Khajavi is a pediatric dentist, but beyond that, she loves what she does. She believes the first experience any child has in a dental office needs to leave a special mark in their mind and in their hearts. This is the reason she became a dentist. Dr. Khajavi strives to make sure that all her patients have a wonderful experience. She says, “The dentistry part is easy, but making your children laugh and smile while under my care, has never been an obstacle! Our mission is to make sure every child feels like they are surrounded by a team who truly cares about their experience. To us, every patient is more than just a “patient”, each child is family.”
Battery Park Pediatric Dentists proudly provides quality pediatric dental care to the community of New York and surrounding areas. Their office specializes in dentistry for infants, children, and adolescents. Their services include preventative children’s dentistry, oral hygiene and maintenance, management of growth and development, conscious sedation, comprehensive orthodontic treatment and much more. You can read more about them HERE.
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