Silver Diamine Fluoride has been used since the 1970s in Japan, but wasn’t approved by the FDA for use in the United States until 2014.
First, Dr. Kim will examine your child’s mouth to determine if SDF is the right treatment for them. SDF is suitable for most minor cavities, but large cavities may still require a filling or a dental crown.
Dr. Kim will clean your child’s mouth and the cavity to make sure it’s ready for treatment. Then, she will use a few cotton balls to isolate the tooth and make sure it stays dry.
Your child's dentist will apply a tiny amount of SDF using a special brush. This only takes about a minute. Then, she will use compressed air to gently dry the area, and make sure the SDF forms a tight seal. Then, the treatment is complete!
This is not always needed, but Dr. Kim may also recommend a full-mouth fluoride treatment after SDF. This helps protect your child’s other teeth, and dramatically reduces the risk of further tooth decay.
First, silver diamine fluoride is non-invasive. There’s no need for any drills, needles, or long dental appointments. It takes only a few minutes to apply, so it’s ideal for young kids, or kids who may have dental anxiety.
It’s also a lot cheaper. Since it’s a newer treatment in the United States, SDF is not always covered by dental insurance. However, it’s still much cheaper compared to a filling or a crown. This makes it a very budget-friendly option.
SDF usually lasts between 3-12 months, but it can be re-applied regularly by Dr. Kim. This extends its protection indefinitely. Dr. Kim will continue to re-apply SDF until your child’s baby tooth falls out naturally, and is replaced by an adult tooth.
16% of school age children have a fear of the dentist.
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