Clinical Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Dental Treatment

The use of a topical fluoride solution, namely silver diamine fluoride (SDF), in dental treatment has been drawing increasing attention. SDF has been used in some countries in Asia, including Japan and China, as a caries-arresting and anti-hypersensitivity agent. It was recently cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States as a fluoride to manage hypersensitive teeth. Topical application of SDF is a noninvasive procedure that is quick and simple to use. Promising results of laboratory studies and clinical trials have suggested that SDF is more effective than other fluoride agents to halt the caries process. A review concluded that SDF is a safe, effective, efficient, and equitable caries control agent that has a potentially broad application in dentistry and may meet the criteria of both the WHO Millennium Development Goals and the US Institute of Medicine's criteria for 21st century medical care. This article provides an overview of the clinical use of SDF in dental treatment.