Treating Cavities With Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

A Non-Invasive Alternative To Fillings In Baby Teeth

If your child has a cavity in one of their baby teeth, a filling may not be their only option! At Duck Duck Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, Dr Michelle Vo offers silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment in Lexington, MA.

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With silver diamine fluoride, Dr. Vo can halt the progression of your child’s cavity, protect their baby tooth, and preserve it until their adult tooth emerges. Unlike fillings, the process is completely non-invasive, which makes it a great option for kids who may be anxious about dental care.

What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)?

Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF for short, uses a mixture of silver, ammonia, fluoride, and water to treat cavities in baby teeth. When it’s applied to a decayed tooth, this mixture kills bacteria, halts tooth decay, and helps attract minerals to the enamel to help rebuild its structure.

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With SDF, there’s absolutely no need to trim away or remove any natural structure from your child’s tooth. This means that it’s completely non-invasive, and it only takes a few minutes to restore and protect your child’s tooth against future tooth decay.

The Benefits Of Silver Diamine Fluoride

Highly effective treatment

SDF can halt cavities in their tracks. As soon as it’s applied, silver diamine fluoride will stop your child’s cavity from getting worse. And as long as it’s reapplied during their routine six-month dental visits at Duck Duck Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, SDF will keep your child’s baby tooth healthy until it falls out and is replaced with a permanent adult tooth.

No needles or drills required

Fillings can be scary for kids. With SDF, you can completely eliminate the need for numbing needles and dental drills. The process is totally pain-free, non-invasive, and takes only a few minutes per tooth!

Save time and money, too

SDF often costs as little as $25 per tooth, which is much less expensive than a tooth-colored filling. The process is super fast, too, requiring only a few minutes per tooth. This makes it easier to fit your child’s dental care needs into your busy schedule!

Is My Child A Good Candidate For SDF Treatment?

SDF is typically only recommended for kids who have decayed baby teeth. This is because while it’s great at halting cavities, it does have one major drawback. After it’s applied, the SDF liquid will stain the decayed area, turning it a dark or black color. Their healthy enamel will remain bright, though.

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This is totally fine for baby teeth! Since your child will lose all of their baby teeth and they will be replaced with permanent teeth, there’s no need to worry about some temporary staining due to SDF. However, if your child has a cavity in a permanent adult tooth, Dr. Vo will typically recommend a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown instead.

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SDF treatment is also not a good option for deep or extensive tooth decay. While it does halt the progression of cavities, SDF does not restore the enamel. In cases where lots of your child’s natural tooth structure has been damaged by decay, a filling or a dental crown will be a better option for restoring their tooth and preventing further damage.

Learn More About Silver Diamine Fluoride At Our Office

Silver diamine fluoride is a great alternative to fillings for most children with decayed baby teeth. If your little one has a cavity and you’d prefer a non-invasive option for protecting their smile and restoring their oral health, Dr. Michelle Vo is here to help. Give us a call at (339) 970-2014 to book your child’s first visit at Duck Duck Tooth Pediatric Dentistry and find out if your child is a good candidate for SDF treatment in Lexington, MA.