A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Dental Caries in Primary Teeth in 2-6 Year Old Children

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting dental caries in primary teeth in 2-6 years old children in the Out Patient Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Bhojia Dental College and Hospital (Bhud) Baddi, Dist. Solan (H.P).India

Material and Methods: A total of 1000 carious teeth were selected from 291 patients in the age range of 2-6 years. Carious lesions with Nyvad’s caries diagnostic criteria 3 were selected while Patients with reversible or irreversible pulpitis, pathological mobility, internal or external root resorption and any sinus tract present were excluded from the study. SDF was applied to all the lesions and these were considered arrested, if their consistency changed from soft or leathery to black and hard.

Results: Application of SDF after first follow up i.e. 1 week, 791 caries lesions were arrested and 150 remained unarrested.  At 3 months and six months follow-up, reapplication was done on all the teeth. There were 819 (87%) arrested lesions and 122 unarrested lesions. Similar results were seen when re-evaluated at six months and SDF was reapplied.SDF turned colour of lesion into black which had aesthetic problem in anterior region. Parental acceptance of colour of SDF was recorded. Out of 274 parents, 126 (46%) parents reported color as acceptable, for 57 (21%) of the parents, it was satisfactory and 91 (33%) reported it as unacceptable.Also,26 (9%) patients had reported taste as acceptable and 248 (91%) patients reported taste as unacceptable. 

Conclusion: The present study concluded that SDF can be used to arrest caries and to treat dentin sensitivity.