Role of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Permanent Tooth Caries Management: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: Silver Diamine Fluoride is vastly used in preventive and therapeutic management of deciduous dentition. It includes its utilization as a fissure sealant, for arresting carious lesions and as a pulp capping agent. However, its use in permanent dentition is limited. Hence, the present narrative review has been conducted in order to assess SDF use in permanent dentition.

Methodology: Present review was conducted to evaluate role of SDF in permanent tooth caries management. A rigorous literature search was conducted utilizing various databases suchas PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Database, and CTRI (Clinical Trial Registry - India). The search period was defined to be last 10 years, that is, from 1^st January 2012 to 31^st December 2021. Terminologies "Silver Diamine Fluoride," "SDF," "Permanent Dentition” were included. The terminologies were combined using Boolean Operations "AND" and "OR".

Results:  7 studies were identified after following inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included studies were evaluated for study design, nature of trial along with its type, materials compared and procedure performed along with the results. Various uses of SDF were identified such as fissure sealant, in root caries management, in proximal or occlusal caries management along with its use as indirect pulp capping agent. 

Conclusion: Although SDF use in primary dentition is widely acknowledged. Its use in permanent dentition is still limited. Hence more clinical trials need to be carried out for better understanding of this material.