Silver diamine fluoride treatment for the management of deep caries: A scoping review

Dental caries is a biofilm-driven, multifactorial disease that can progress to deep dentine lesions, risking pulp exposure and complications. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has emerged as a non-invasive approach for caries management. This scoping review assesses the available evidence on SDF's effects in deep caries management, focusing on clinical success rates, pulp vitality, restoration outcomes, and patient acceptance.

A broad literature search of four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, EMCARE) was conducted up to December 2024, focusing on in vivo studies published in English that investigated SDF application in deep caries. Reference lists of relevant articles were also screened.

The initial search yielded 504 articles. Nineteen articles published up to December 2024 were included in the final review.

SDF shows considerable promise for deep caries treatment, with high rates of caries arrest, favourable pulp outcomes, and generally good patient acceptance. However, heterogeneity in study designs, lesion depth classifications, and reapplication protocols demonstrate the need for more standardised research. Future long-term investigations should further investigate the role of SDF in managing deep caries, particularly in vulnerable populations and resource-limited settings.

This scoping review provides a valuable overview of the range of potential factors that should be considered regarding SDF research on deep caries. Standardised clinical protocols and strategies to minimise staining could further improve its application and utility.