Our Services / Silver Diamine Fluoride

What is silver diamine fluoride?

You’re probably familiar with the role that fluoride plays in preventive dentistry. This mineral is found naturally in teeth and bones and performs numerous positive roles in preventing dental decay. 

Some of the benefits of fluoride include:

• Rebuilding weakened tooth enamel
• Reversing early signs of tooth decay
• Slowing the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
• Preventing growth of harmful bacteria

Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid created from a mix of water, fluoride, ammonia, and silver. When applied to the surface of your child’s teeth, it can help prevent decay and preserve healthy tooth tissue. 

Is silver diamine fluoride safe?

Expansive research supports the use of silver diamine fluoride for treating minor dental cavities and preventing tooth decay. This approach has been used in Japan for more than 80 years and received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2014. 

If your child has a silver allergy, advanced gum disease, mouth ulcers or sores, or advanced tooth decay, silver diamine fluoride may not be the right approach. Another treatment option could offer better protection from decay. 

The only common side effect of silver diamine fluoride is black staining of nearby oral tissues. Careful application can reduce the risk of staining, as can incorporating potassium iodide into the application process. 

What is the process for getting silver diamine fluoride?

Having silver diamine fluoride applied is a quick and painless process. Dr. Petruzzi begins by placing gauze or cotton around the targeted teeth to keep them dry. 

He then uses a suction tool to remove moisture from the surface of the teeth. He paints the silver diamine fluoride onto the teeth. Once dry, he removes the gauze or cotton, and the treatment is complete. 

Silver diamine fluoride can prevent small cavities from further damaging tooth tissue. This allows the Desert Kids Dentistry team to halt tooth decay without having to remove tooth tissue as part of a traditional filling. 

Research also supports using silver diamine fluoride as a preventive treatment even before there are signs of decay. This can be a good protective approach for kids with severe dental anxiety or those who have special needs and cannot easily tolerate dental care visits. 

If you’d like more information about silver diamine fluoride or other dental decay treatment or prevention options, call the office to set up a visit. Online booking is also available and takes little time to complete.