Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an excellent alternative to dental fillings for cavities in baby teeth. This fast, non-invasive treatment allows Dr. Lulu or Dr. Tom to quickly and easily treat tooth decay, restore your child’s tooth, and protect it until an adult tooth grows in and replaces it. Contact us for a consultation now, and see if SDF treatment is right for your little one in Woodstock.
Explaining The Basics Of Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride, often shortened to SDF, is a treatment that’s used to treat cavities as an alternative to dental fillings. It’s almost exclusively used to treat baby teeth. It consists of a blend of ammonia, silver, fluoride, and water.
When this unique mixture is applied to a cavity in your child’s tooth, the ingredients kill any remaining bacteria, halt the progression of decay, and strengthen the remaining tooth structure. This stops the cavity from getting worse.
The main reason that SDF is only used for baby teeth is that the treatment stains the treatment area black. This does not harm the tooth at all, but it will be permanently stained. This is not a big deal for baby teeth, though, since they will fall out and be replaced by adult teeth in the future.
The SDF Treatment Process
The process of applying SDF takes less than a minute, and is often done after a teeth cleaning and oral exam at ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Tom or Dr. Lulu will simply use a small brush to apply a thin layer of SDF to your child’s tooth after it’s been cleaned.
Then, the SDF will harden and bond to the tooth, protecting it from further decay. That’s it! There’s no special aftercare required, and you and your child will be sent home to resume your normal day-to-day activities.
In the future, Dr. Tom or Dr. Lulu will check the tooth during your child’s six-month appointments at our office in Woodstock, and may re-apply SDF to ensure the tooth remains strong and healthy until it falls out naturally and is replaced by an adult tooth.
The Benefits Of Silver Diamine Fluoride
SDF has a lot of great benefits, particularly when compared to other treatments for cavities like fillings. First, it requires absolutely no tooth preparation. No enamel has to be removed by a dental drill, unlike dental fillings and crowns. This makes the process a lot faster and easier for your child, particularly if they’re nervous or anxious about dentistry.
SDF is also much cheaper compared to dental fillings, which can cost hundreds of dollars even for baby teeth. It’s also covered by most dental insurance plans, though we recommend that you consult directly with your provider to check your coverage before treatment.
Just like a filling, SDF also helps address the discomfort of a cavity. Because it contains fluoride and other powerful chemicals that help strengthen the teeth, it relieves sensitivity to heat and cold, and allows your child to continue their day-to-day routine without worrying about tooth sensitivity.