Background
Thanks to the recent approval of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), hygienists can now offer a low cost, non-invasive product that arrests active carious lesions and prevents new decay from forming. It is important for dental hygienists to understand which clients will benefit and when to recommend SDF as a treatment option.
Who Will Benefit?
- Children
- Elderly clients
- Clients with multiple cavities
- Clients with special needs
- Clients with low socioeconomic status
- Clients located in remote areas
- Clients that cannot tolerate invasive dentistry
Intentions
- Advocate for the use of silver diamine fluoride in all dental offices
- Educate dental professionals on risks and benefits of application of silver diamine fluoride
- Decrease prevalence of active dental carie
- Prevent formation of new carious lesions
- Improve overall health of the population
- Educate on proper application of silver diamine fluoride
Benefits
- Cost effective
- Within dental hygiene scope of practice
- Fast, easy application
- Immediate arrest of active decay
- Appropriate for wide range of clients
- Antimicrobial
- Painless
- Portability & accessibility
How Does it Work?
- 25% Silver ions – antimicrobial properties
- 8% Ammonia – solvent
- 5% Fluoride ions – remineralization
Conclusions
The antibacterial properties of silver combined with the remineralization quality of fluoride makes SDF the ultimate non-invasive treatment for prevention and arrest of dental caries. Minimal adverse effects may make this a non-desirable treatment for some, but it is important for the dental hygienist as a health promoter to advocate for its use within the community because of its multifaceted healing properties. SDF is changing dentistry by ensuring that every client can have the standard of care that they deserve.
Arrests the progress of an already formed cavity in permanent and primary teeth. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://oralscience.com/en/products/advantage_arrest/ Crystal, Y. O., Marghalani, A. A., & Ureles, S. D. (2017). Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Dental Caries Management in Children and Adolescents, Including Those with Special Health Care Needs. Pediatric Dentistry, 39(5), 135-145. Mei, L. M., Chin-Man Lo, E., Chu, CH. (2016). Clinical use of silver diamine fluoride in dental treatment. Compendium, 37(2), 93-98. Retrieved from https://www.uclachatpd.org/uploads/1/4/9/1/14918002/clinical_use_of_silver_diamine_fluoride_in_dental_treatm ent.pdf Peng, J.-Y., Botelho, M., & Matinlinna, J. (2012). Silver compounds used in dentistry for caries management: A review. Journal of Dentistry, 40(7), 531–541. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2012.03.009 Silver Diamine Fluoride: Sonoma, CA: Sonoma Pediatric compounds used in dentistry for caries management: A review. Journal of Dentistry. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sonomapediatricdentistry.com/services/trea tment/silver-diamine-fluoride/Dentistry, 40(7), 531–541. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2012.03.009
