What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride?



Silver Diamide Fluoride (SDF) is an FDA and ADA (American Dental Association) approved clear topical liquid that is used to treat cavities. It is applied to the cavity area of a tooth to control  and stop the growth of the cavity. Young children, children with special health needs, any child who has a difficult time at the dentist or who may have a lot of cavities may benefit from this type of care. It can used as an alternative cleaning out decay with a drill and placing a restorative material .

For some patients, especially those who can't tolerate traditional fillings it has some advantages. It is painless and may stop cavity progression. It can help with tooth sensitivity and is an especially helpful alternative cavity treatment  for children who are very young or struggle with longer appointment times.

How Does SDF Work?  SDF is composed of two main components, silver and fluoride. The silver part acts on the bacteria causing the cavity while the fluoride helps to strengthen and remineralize the tooth. A third accessory component is diamine which makes the SDF into a liquid.  SDF is Applied to Teeth after they are dried and any food or plaque is removed. It is applied with a small brush and allowed to dry for one to two minutes. 

As with any treatment there are some issues with using silver diamide fluoride. It can cause staining of treated teeth since cavity areas will stain black. Healthy tooth structure will not stain, Additionally, it may not stop the cavities from getting deeper and other more traditional treatments may need to be discussed. It should not be used for children with a known silver allergy. 

This is a guest post by my fellow Clinical Instructor  at Mount Sinai : Dr Fern E Cytryn  who also has a Pedodontic dental practice in New City.  For more information on this topic and other pedodontic subjects please visit her website  at:  https://www.drfernsmile.com/









from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2025/04/what-is-silver-diamine-fluoride.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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