Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) a Viable Biological Treatment Option? Exploring the Application of SDF versus Other Minimally Invasive Methods
Open accessAbstract
Untreated dental caries is a worldwide problem. Conventional caries management encompasses removing all the carious tooth tissue and replacing the lost tooth tissue with a restoration. Minimally invasive techniques emerge as alternative treatments to conventional caries management, which include the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF), atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), interim therapeutic restorations (ITR), fissure sealants, and Hall crowns, together with other caries prevention methods. Modern caries management strategies aim to avoid invasive treatments and attempt to alter the activity of the biofilm and the carious lesions. SDF can be an effective treatment for managing caries at the cavitation stage and may offer an alternative to other minimally invasive methods, especially in preschool children and those with limited access to dental care. This review aims to examine the use of SDF, to evaluate its advantages, disadvantages and discuss whether it can be an alternative or an adjunct to other minimally invasive methods. For this purpose, a literature scan was conducted using the MeSH terms related to the subject (‘silver diamine fluoride’, ‘dental atraumatic restorative treatment’, ‘fluorides, topical’, ‘dental caries’, ‘silver compounds’, ‘cariostatic agents’) in medical databases (Medline-Pubmed, Google Scholar).
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SDF uptake may be limited by permanent black staining of treated lesions, occasional transient mucosal irritation, and esthetic concerns for patients and caregivers.
“At the same time, its uptake may be limited by recognized disadvantages, including permanent black staining of treated lesions, occasional transient mucosal irritation, and esthetic concerns for patients and caregivers [3].”
From Silver Diamine Fluoride in Oral Health Policy: A Strategic Pathway to Improve Access and Equity (2026) · cites this paper as [3]
The Discolouration of SDF and Different Formulations section reports black staining that may persist despite polishing and says it concerns patients and parents. The Parental and Patient Perceptions section also describes reduced acceptance when staining is visible. Our copy does not establish that lesion staining is permanent or report occasional transient mucosal irritation; no passage-specific page numbers are supplied. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBroader SDF implementation is constrained by aesthetic concerns.
“However, broader implementation remains constrained by regulatory ambiguity, limited reimbursement and procurement pathways, workforce training gaps, aesthetic concerns, inconsistent consent and follow‐up processes, and fragmented governance.”
From Silver Diamine Fluoride in Oral Health Policy: A Strategic Pathway to Improve Access and Equity (2026) · cites this paper as [3]
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Silver Diamine Fluoride in Oral Health Policy: A Strategic Pathway to Improve Access and Equity
Nouri, A., Jamieson, L., & Javadi, S. K. H. S. (2026) · Journal of Public Health Dentistry · doi:10.1111/jphd.70066
- Authors
- Yörel, V. İ.
- Affiliations
- Near East University (CY)
- Corresponding author
- Yörel, Vecihe İpek
- ORCID
- Yörel, Vecihe İpek
- Venue
- Cumhuriyet Dental Journal
- Publisher
- Cumhuriyet University
- Published
- 2025-12-29
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 608-616
- ISSN
- 1302-5805 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W7117449933
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 0.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (publishedVersion)
- DergiPark (Istanbul University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Near East University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental materials and restorations
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments
- Keywords
- silver diamine fluoride, dental caries, minimally invasive dentistry, atraumatic restorative treatment, pit and fissure sealants, dental caries prevention, cariostatic agents, biofilm, preschool children, caries management
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