Discover how Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) prevents and arrests tooth decay with its unique antibacterial and remineralizing properties, making dental care less invasive.
Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid used to help prevent cavities from forming in teeth. Here's what you should know about this beneficial dental solution.
Initially approved for use by Japanese dentists more than eight decades ago, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) was only recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014. The liquid helps prevent dental caries thanks to a unique chemical formulation which includes:
While SDF is sold in some stores for use at home, it's most commonly and safely used in professional dental clinics. Most dentists use a liquid form containing a minimum of 38 percent of actual SDF solution. SDF is applied topically to the area of a tooth affected by a cavity.
Traditionally, many dentists have used a type of fluoride varnish to try to prevent or stop cavity development. Research indicates that SDF is much more successful at stopping cavity growth compared to varnish. The solution also requires fewer treatments over time.
SDF has been shown to offer dental patients a variety of benefits, including:
SDF is widely considered to be safe, even on very young children. That said, it's generally not recommended for patients with canker sores, oral ulcerations, advanced gum disease or silver allergies. The only common side effect of SDF is black staining around the area where the solution is applied. SDF may also stain clothing, oral tissues and other surfaces it contacts during application.
Since it is a class II medical device, SDF may be covered by some health insurance plans and flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Many states also offer Medicaid plans which cover all or part of SDF dental treatments.
