We believe in providing the latest and most effective treatments to help your child achieve and maintain a beautiful, Sunny smile! We offer silver diamine fluoride as a safe and effective treatment to help prevent cavities and strengthen little smiles.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
What is silver diamine fluoride?
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive, preventive dental treatment that combines the power of silver, fluoride, and ammonia to tackle early cavities and prevent their progression.
This treatment is applied as a liquid and acts as an antimicrobial agent, targeting and eliminating the harmful bacteria responsible for tooth decay. It also strengthens the tooth structure by remineralizing the enamel.
Silver Diamine Fluoride Application
The use of silver diamine fluoride in children is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and “has been shown to be efficacious in arresting caries lesions (cavities). It is a valuable therapy which may be included as part of a caries management plan for patients.”
According to the AAPD, patients who may benefit from SDF include:
- Those with high caries risk who have active cavitated caries lesions in anterior or posterior teeth
- Those presenting with behavioral or medical management challenges and cavitated caries lesions
- Those with multiple cavitated caries lesions that may not all be treated in one visit
- Those with dental caries lesions that are difficult to treat
How long does SDF treatment last?
An SDF treatment generally can last anywhere from 3 to 12 months with each application.
The frequency of SDF application can vary based on the severity of the dental decay and the specific needs of your child.
In most cases, a single application can effectively halt the progression of decay. However, in cases where the decay is more advanced, additional applications may be recommended.
What you need to know
- Please know, SDF turns the cavity black. However, the healthy tooth structure will not be stained and the stained tooth structure can be replaced with a filling or a crown if necessary or when behavior allows.
- Tooth-colored fillings and crowns may also discolor if SDF is applied to them. Normally, this color change is temporary and can be polished off.
- If SDF is accidentally applied to the skin or gums, a brown stain may appear that causes no harm, cannot be washed off, and will disappear in 1-3 weeks.
- Your child may notice a metallic taste. This will go away rapidly!
- If tooth decay is not arrested, the decay will progress. In that case, the tooth will require further treatment, such as repeat SDF, a filling or crown, root canal treatment, or extraction.
When you visit us, we’ll hand you a form to read through and sign, in order to consent for SDF treatment.
What can I expect if my child gets SDF treatment?
Applying SDF is a simple and painless process! Here’s what you can expect if your little one gets SDF treatment at their next check-up:
1. Dr. Day will explain the treatment in detail and answer any questions you may have! There’s no need for fasting or any special preparation.
2. Dr. Day will carefully apply the SDF solution to the affected tooth. Your child might experience a mild metallic taste, but there should be no discomfort.
3. After the application, Dr. Day will observe the treated tooth and provide you with any necessary aftercare instructions.
4. Depending on the situation, your child may need a follow-up appointment to assess the progress of the treated tooth.
At Sunny Day Pediatric Dentistry, we prioritize your child’s comfort and well-being. SDF treatment is just one of the many ways we ensure that your child receives the best possible dental care in a gentle and compassionate environment!
If you have any questions about SDF treatment or any other pediatric dental services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your child’s healthy smile is our ultimate goal!
Other Pediatric Dental Services
Schedule your appointment!
Dr. Day is your trusted pediatric dentist in Baton Rouge and Addis, LA! Starting with your little one’s very first tooth, our team is here to guide you through the smile milestones and provide expert dental care with a gentle and compassionate approach.
We want every visit to our office to feel like a Sunny Day! Contact us today to schedule your appointment.