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A plaque-tically perfect solution for those who fear the dentist?
Cavities are a nightmare for patients and dentists alike, with 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 10 kids suffering from untreated tooth decay.
The good news is that an innovative treatment could not only replace the dental drill, but also spare those who brush off scheduling their next checkup.
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been widely used in Japan, China, Australia and other countries to manage cavities without drilling, injections or anesthesia.
The simple and low-cost liquid treatment hasn’t been FDA-approved for cavities in the US because there wasn’t enough large-scale clinical evidence that it’s safe and effective — until now.
In a new trial, University of Michigan researchers brushed a 38% SDF solution onto the teeth of over 800 children younger than 6 years old.
The application, which took only a few seconds per tooth, stopped decay in more than half of the kids’ baby teeth when done every six months.
While SDF doesn’t replace any tooth structure that may have been lost to decay, it’s designed to prevent existing decay from worsening.
The combination of silver and fluoride works to combat bacteria that cause tooth decay and strengthen the existing mineral structure to resist future damage.
There could be a major cosmetic drawback, however, as the fluid leaves a permanent stain on the decayed portion of the tooth.
This matters less in children, whose affected baby teeth will fall out.
Adults, meanwhile, could use SDF to manage decay for a longer period or as a temporary solution before a filling.
SDF may also help those with disabilities, patients with severe dental anxiety and others who can’t tolerate or access conventional dental treatment.
“If we want more children and families to benefit from this treatment, we need rigorous evidence showing both that it works and that it’s safe,” lead study investigator and professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Margherita Fontana said in a news release.
SDF was approved in the US back in 2014 for tooth sensitivity, with dentists using it off-label as a cavity treatment.
The findings from Michigan’s clinical study provide evidence that may help pave the way for FDA approval for use in cavities, an important regulatory change, according to the researchers.
“Removing SDF from off-label status would be an important innovation which could lead to increased utilization by providers, enhanced payments by insurers and more consistent product quality,” co-principal investigator Dr. Amr Moursi said.
The novel treatment may not work for every cavity and won’t prevent all future dental work.
However, the procedure that takes mere seconds may provide immediate relief compared to surgery or prolonged discomfort and pain.