EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES (ECC) is a persistent health problem around the country; prevalent in young preschool children. About 60% preschool children will form a dental decay. Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry practices have recently introduced the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in our pediatric patients, preventing cavities, and stopping the advancement of tooth decay.
What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride is basically a medical treatment of active caries. The application of the solution stops the progression of caries. Many countries around the world have used this treatment successfully for many years, especially in Japan for over eight decades now. Studies show a low level of side effects. Most side effects are aesthetic, such as staining the teeth in a darker color. In most cases the tooth color turns dark brown. It’s a new paradigm in pediatric dentistry which focuses on positive experience for the children. Less invasive procedures are prioritized. Don’t drill the tooth but instead arrest (stop) the decay by using Silver Diamine Fluoride. Tooth decay, after all, is an infectious decease, and Silver Diamine Fluoride works best as bacterial killer.
Regular Fluoride vs Silver Diamine Fluoride
What is the difference between regular Fluoride Varnish and Silver Diamine Fluoride? As a gold standard in Pediatric Dentistry, most offices these days use fluoride varnish to remineralize the tooth enamel and arrest carries. Fluoride varnish reduces demineralization of both coronal and root structures. Silver Diamine Fluoride on the other hand is as effective as fluoride varnish, but also adds additional benefits such as bacterial disinfection. In addition to avoiding drilling, the Silver Diamine Fluoride application is very short and simple to use. A few drops of Silver Diamine Fluoride solution will be enough to treat caries.
