SILVER DIAMMINE FLUORIDE AND ITS USE DURING THE PANDEMIC COVID 19
Do you or your kids suffer from tooth sensitivity?
Do you or your kids suffer from tooth decay?
Do you or your kids have a fear of drills in a dental office?
Do you or your kids have a fear of aerosol producing treatments?
Do you or your kids fear visiting dentist during the pandemic?
If your answers to any of the above questions is yes, and you need the most safe and effective treatment for your sensitivity or cavities, then Silver Diammine Fluoride is the perfect answer.
Our Pediatric Dentists at The Dental Specialists have thoroughly researched the needs of patients during the Covid pandemic and have come up with an ideal solution, Silver Diammine Fluoride application.
What’s Silver Diammine Fluoride(SDF)?
SDF is a liquid antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent progression of Dental cavities and sensitivity, especially in kids. It contains Silver, Ammonium and Fluoride ions.
What’s special about SDF?
The most important advantage of SDF is that it’s a topical medication. There is no drilling required. Anaesthesia is not needed. No aerosols are produced. It takes less than five minutes of chairside time. There is absolutely no pain. SDF is applied on affected tooth surfaces with the help of a small brush applicator.
All these advantages make SDF the most sought after treatment, especially during the pandemic.
How does SDF work?
Silver and Fluoride in the SDF act as antimicrobial agents. They remineralize enamel and Dentin. They prevent and arrest cavities.
Ammonium ions are added for stability of SDF.
How is SDF useful during the pandemic?
SDF is the safest, effective and efficient answer to your teeth sensitivity and cavities. It reduces the risks of covid 19 to almost zero when you visit dentist. This can be used on almost everyone, who needs an immediate attention but cannot or will not undergo extensive restorative procedures.
At The Dental Specialists, our Pediatric specialists have been using SDF since a long time, and found that SDF worked well in kids and adults as well, and its use has been highly recommended.
Who needs SDF?
SDF has been extensively used on children. However, it can be used in the following conditions:
In kids with severe caries, called rampant caries, which cannot be restored or extracted. SDF will prolong the life of milk teeth. This in turn will prevent orthodontic abnormalities in the future.
In patients who have high caries risk, like those who have reduced salivary flow, called xerostomia.
In infants with early caries, without much damage to tooth structure.
In uncooperative or special children
To retain the milk teeth to prevent orthodontic complications like space closure
In conditions where aerosol production should be avoided(like in covid)
In asymptomatic milk teeth about to be shed, and non restorable
In hypersensitivity of Dentin and root caries
In clinics with minimal infrastructure.
In conditions were patient cannot afford the dental treatment SDF is economical and effective.
For negligible and incipient cavities which don’t need fillings.
Who cannot get SDF done?
Patients with allergy to any components, or patients with severe pain or abscesses in gums that require more complicated treatments than SDF.
Is SDF safe during the pandemic?
Absolutely yes. SDF is a very efficient, effective and safest way to treat and prevent sensitivity and cavities during the pandemic. When you cannot visit dentist periodically, and when you need aerosol free procedure without drilling or pain, SDF is the best topical application solution available that works for a few months. It should be applied every 6 months with periodic evaluation of the status of sensitivity or caries progress.
The Dental Specialists has a dedicated pediatric dental unit that caters to children of all ages, specializes in all kids treatments, and most importantly uses the latest techniques and technology, following all covid protocols, while performing safest procedures in the safest environment stressing the need for prevention and maintenance, thus helping kids recognise the importance of teeth. This is the reason why kids and parents love The Dental Specialists
SILVER DIAMMINE FLUORIDE-ITS APPLICATION
Silver Diammine Fluoride, abbreviated as SDF is an antibacterial liquid composed of Silver, Ammonium and Fluoride. It’s main application is in pediatric dentistry along with satisfactory usage in adults as well. An excellent product being used especially in the Covid 19 pandemic time, when aerosols need to be avoided, this treatment offers the best possible time bound solution for sensitive and carious teeth till further complex treatments can be performed.
At The Dental Specialists, our Pediatric dental care unit treats several kids and adults with an intention of prevention and arrest of caries progress. It is also used successfully in cases of sensitivity.
In the above picture you can see cavities near the gums in lower back teeth. When conditions impose application of SDF and other treatments are delayed, the following procedure is performed.
Initially patient is well explained everything about SDF, it’s pros and cons, and an informed consent is taken with the patient’s or guardian’s signature.
Procedure of SDF application:
1.Applying Vaseline to the lips and outer mouth to prevent staining.
2.Exposure and isolation of teeth involved.
3.Cleaning debris, deposits, plaque and drying the entire area
4.Proper isolation of gums and lips or cheeks
5. Application of 38% SDF with a mini brush to the affected areas only
6.Leaving the area undisturbed for 1 to 3 minutes.
7.Potassium iodide can be applied to mask the stain caused
8.SDF stains everything it touches. In case of a stain, leaving it for 1 to 3 weeks will fade away the stains.
9.SDF causes permanent stains in carious teeth. This stain won’t go away. This can be masked by using glass ionomer or other restorations later, after a few weeks of evaluation.
10.SDF should be applied every 6 months. But it’s not a permanent solution. Appropriate treatments should be planned according to the evaluation.
Benefits of SDF:
1.No drilling, no anaesthesia, no aerosols( covid protocol compliant)
2.Super fast treatment, can be completed in just 5 minutes!
3.Very simple, easy, and extremely comfortable and convenient to both patient and dentist
4.Temporary solution to arrest and prevent cavities, and decrease sensitivity.
5.Remineralization of Dentin and enamel.
Disadvantage of SDF:
1.Black staining due to silver particles, which needs a masking agent later on. SDF stains everything it touches, though soft tissue stains are temporary.
2.Very rarely allergies to components of SDF.
3.Not a permanent treatment in extreme cases.
Are there any side effects of SDF?
Darkening or blackening of tooth surfaces after SDF application is very common. It’s not a medical complication. Skin around mouth may get stained but it’s reversible.
A metallic taste that subsided in a few hours was observed.
At The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dental experts diligently scrutinise each case and the need for SDF is explained, performed with prior consent, and evaluated regularly. Further treatment is done if required. However, SDF application is very common and our specialists have been stressing the need for a preventive approach, that’s been very successful among kids of all ages. SDF has been in use during the pandemic as well because of its advantages.
Still have questions about your Dental Cavities and Decay? We’d love to talk with you. Don’t hesitate to request an appointment online , over the phone or our website to contact us @thedentalspecialists.in
Book an appointment WhatsApp/ SMS/ Call: +91 9000021174/ 9959448800/ +91 9177671117
or whatsapp: https://wa.me/919000021174
For any further queries visit our website: www.thedentalspecialists.in
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