Silver Diamine Flouride (SDF)
You may recall going to a dental exam appointment where the dentist finds a cavity (dental decay/infection) and chooses to "watch" it. "Watch" in this context means waiting until the next exam appointment to determine whether or not the problem has worsened enough to require a restorative treatment. In many cases, choosing to monitor these situations may be more appropriate than immediately restoring them. However, untreated cavities can also advance very rapidly between two exams, necessitating invasive procedures.
Now, we have a way to be more proactive about early stage dental decays. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a medication that can be applied directly onto the decay to aid in arresting its development. This potential benefit is highly desirable as the treatment is non-invasive and available at a low cost. One common adverse effect of SDF treatment is permanent dark staining of the arrested lesion. Due to this downside, it is usually recommended for the posterior teeth in the back that are not visible. Biannual applications of SDF are recommended for sustained benefit.
At Beyond Dental, we prioritize preventive care as much as quality restorative care. Rather than passively waiting for early stage decays to get worse, SDF allows us to monitor them more actively. The outcome may be a delayed need for and even complete prevention of invasive restorative treatments. Ask us about SDF next time you're in!
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