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What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?

Medicinal Ingredient
38% Silver Diamine Fluoride
(25% Silver, 5% Fluoride, 8% Ammonia)

Silver Diamine fluoride is an odourless liquid that:

  • Outperforms other anti-cavity treatments in killing decay-causing bacteria
  • Quick application (less than 5 minutes)
  • User-friendly, no need for:
    • Air or water
    • Instruments
    • Freezing
Who is Silver Diamine Fluoride for?

Silver Diamine Fluoride halts the progress of an existing cavity.

It’s great for children 3 years or older who have difficulty sitting through a filling appointment.  It will delay the progression of a cavity until the child is older and is able to sit through a regular appointment, reducing the probability the child will require IV sedation (general anaesthesia) for treatment.

Silver Diamine Fluoride is also great for adults with medical issues that prevent them from getting a more permanent treatment such as a filling.

How is Silver Diamine Fluoride applied?

The process of applying Silver Diamine Fluoride is as very straightforward:

  1. The surface of the affected tooth is dried and isolated with cotton rolls
  2. Silver Diamine Fluoride is applied to the affected area and allowed to soak for 60 seconds
  3. If no varnish is applied, the surface is allowed to dry completely

The process is repeated in 1-3 week(s), and then reapplied at intervals of 6 months to 1 year.

What are the side effects of Silver Diamine Fluoride?

The decayed areas of teeth treated with Silver Diamine Fluoride may become stained.  Staining is actually the indicator of antimicrobial effectiveness.  Silver Diamine Fluoride will not stain sound or healthy enamel or dentin.

Is Silver Diamine Fluoride FDA approved?

In 2016, Silver Diamine Fluoride, marketed under the brand Advantage Arrest, was granted the first ever FDA breakthrough therapy designation for an oral care product for its ability to stop tooth decay. This designation represents the FDA’s effort to address an unmet, serious, life-threatening medical need where there is no available therapy and to expedite the review of such products. The designation was granted based on the FDA review of 10 worldwide randomized clinical trials evaluating silver diamine fluoride for cavities in children aged 3-9 or adults aged 60-89. Collectively these trials involved 1,500 subjects who were monitored for 1-3 years.

This Page Has 10 Questions

The information provided below does not constitute dental advice and is general in nature. It does not take into account your personal dental health and should not be acted on without consultation with a certified dental professional.

Bathurst Centre Dental Care accepts no liability for any loss or injury arising out of the use of this website or reliance on the content of this website.

  1. Hi there,
    I have 4yrs 11months son who has cavities and bad teeth. Looking for other options then having a general anaesthesia, so I like to try SDF topical cream on his teeth. Can you give me an earliest appointment? I live in London Ontario and hope my manulife insurance covers it. Can I know how much is per treatment?
    Thank you
    Chime

    1. Hi Chime, thank you for contacting us. Our receptionist will get back to you as soon as possible during our regular office hours.

  2. HI,MY 3 AND HALF YEAR OLD SON HAS FRONT FOUR YEETH DECAYED ,I CONSULT WITH THE DENTIST HE SUGGEST EXTRACTION UNDER GENERAL ANSTESIA,BUT I AM TOO SCARY WITH USE OF GA .I WULD LIKE TO CONSULT YOU REGARDING SDF TREATMENT

  3. I have a four year old little one who would like to get full mouth SDF treatment, can I get a quote for that? and how many times do we need to do in total- I was told 3 times, interval in one month.

    Notes: we have taken x-ray this month so we do not want to repeat it this year for safety consideration. The previous dentist suggested general anaesthesia which we do not want to do it .

    1. Hi Jessie,

      Thank you for your inquiry. Our office manager will contact you during our regular business hours with an approximate quote for the Silver Diamine Fluoride treatment. There is no need for new x-rays; you can forward a copy of the recent x-rays to our office at [email protected] before your appointment. The first appointment will include an initial exam to determine if your son is a good candidate for SDF treatment. If he is, we will proceed with the first SDF application. The manufacturer instruction is to repeat the application again in 1-3 weeks for the highest chance of stopping the cavity and to reapply at intervals of every 6 months until either the baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, or until he is able to tolerate regular filling appointments.

  4. Is Silver Diamine Fluoride treatment only for kids ?
    I have small cavity and would be interested in this treatment instead of drilling.
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Lina, Silver Diamine Fluoride can be used for adults too. The Advantage Arrest used in our office recommends a second application 1-3 weeks after an initial application, then reapplication at intervals of 6 months to 1 year. It is a great tool for adults who are immuno-compromised and cannot endure dental procedures, or adults with enamel cavities that are under observation (do not require filling yet). However, areas treated with Silver Diamine Fluoride should be under observation by a dentist and should be treated with fillings if cavities continue to progress. For more information, you can visit the manufacturer’s website below.
      https://oralscience.com/en/products/advantage-arrest/

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