Regular dental cleanings and exams are the cornerstone of preventive care at Gleam Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. These visits allow the team to monitor a child’s oral development, remove plaque buildup, and address concerns before they become bigger problems. Scheduled every six months, cleanings and exams help children build positive, low-stress associations with the dentist from an early age.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Marlton’s Advanced Approach to Stopping Active Cavities
Silver diamine fluoride is a clear liquid applied directly to a cavity to arrest, or stop, the decay process. Unlike a filling, which requires drilling and removal of infected tooth structure, SDF works chemically to harden the remaining decay and prevent it from progressing deeper into the tooth or spreading to neighboring surfaces. The treatment takes only a few minutes, requires no anesthesia, and produces no drilling sound or vibration, making it ideal for anxious young children. SDF has been used in Asia since the 1970s and was cleared by the FDA in 2014 for use in managing tooth sensitivity and arresting carious lesions in children. At Gleam, SDF is considered a first-line option for active cavities in baby teeth, especially when a child is very young or highly anxious about traditional dental treatment. The tooth may develop a dark stain where the SDF was applied, a cosmetic change that poses no health risk and often fades as the tooth naturally sheds.
Benefits of Silver Diamine Fluoride
Stops Cavities Without Drilling or Anesthesia
SDF arrests active decay without the pain, fear, and time investment of a traditional filling procedure. There is no needle, no drill, and no numbing injection, which makes the experience far less stressful for young children and parents alike. For toddlers and preschoolers, this low-stress approach often means they remain cooperative and return willingly to future dental visits.
Highly Effective at Preventing Decay Progression
38% SDF arrests approximately 81% of existing cavities after application, making it significantly more effective than standard fluoride varnish alone. Once arrested, a cavity stops growing and the risk of infection or pain drops substantially. This high success rate means fewer children need emergency dental treatment or suffer from the pain and complications of untreated decay.
Preserves Tooth Structure and Baby Tooth Development
Because SDF works without removing tooth material, it preserves the full structure of the baby tooth, allowing it to continue its natural role as a space holder for the permanent tooth below. This is particularly important in young children, where baby teeth guide the eruption and positioning of permanent teeth. Maintaining healthy baby teeth is essential to the long-term health of the permanent bite.
Did You Know?
Early childhood caries, or baby bottle tooth decay, affects nearly one in four toddlers ages 2 to 4. Many of these cavities go untreated because parents hesitate to put their young children through filling procedures. SDF offers a treatment option that works without the traditional dental appointment experience, making it possible to manage decay before it becomes painful or leads to infection.
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Why Choose Gleam Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics?
Gleam uses silver diamine fluoride as part of a personalized approach to cavity management, tailoring treatment decisions to each child’s age, anxiety level, and individual needs. The team is trained in both preventive strategies to avoid cavities in the first place and advanced treatment options like SDF for children who already have decay.
Board-certified pediatric dentists trained in minimally invasive, child-friendly treatment approaches
Members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which endorses SDF for arresting cavitated caries in primary teeth
Experience managing high-anxiety children and those with complex dental needs
The Silver Diamine Fluoride Process
1
Assessment and Preparation
The dentist examines the cavity to confirm it is an active lesion suitable for SDF treatment. The affected tooth is gently cleaned and isolated using cotton rolls or a rubber dam to keep the area dry. The child is given a simple explanation of what will happen, keeping the experience predictable and calm.
2
Application of Silver Diamine Fluoride
A small brush or microbrush is used to apply the SDF solution directly to the cavity for approximately 10 to 15 seconds. There is no drilling, no injection, and no numbing medication needed. Most children tolerate this step well because it is brief, painless, and produces no vibration or noise.
3
Follow-Up and Monitoring
The tooth is monitored at follow-up visits to confirm that the cavity has arrested and the decay has stopped progressing. In some cases, a second application may be recommended after several months to ensure the cavity remains arrested. The dentist discusses any cosmetic staining and reviews strategies to prevent new cavities from forming.
Key Findings
Silver diamine fluoride arrests approximately 81% of existing cavities in primary teeth, making it significantly more effective than standard fluoride varnish.
SDF requires no drilling, no anesthesia, and no needle injection, reducing fear and anxiety in young children.
The treatment is FDA-cleared and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for arresting cavitated caries in children.
A single application of SDF takes only minutes, leaving more time for preventive guidance and fluoride treatment.
SDF allows baby teeth to remain structurally intact, preserving their role as space holders for permanent teeth.
Dark staining at the site of SDF application is a normal cosmetic change and poses no health risk to the child.
“Silver diamine fluoride changed how we manage cavities in toddlers. It stops the decay, preserves the tooth, and keeps kids comfortable. For a two-year-old with multiple cavities, SDF can mean the difference between a child who returns to the dentist and one who never wants to come back.”
— Dr. Jack Davies
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Your Trusted Marlton Dentist
Silver Diamine Fluoride: Caries Arrest Without Drilling
Non-invasive fluoride treatment halts cavity progression and stops decay at its source
Rapid caries arrest, parental acceptance, and cost-effective treatment
Caries Arrest Rate
89
Parental Satisfaction & Acceptance
100
Minimally Invasive & Cost-Effective
100
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| Age Group | Data With Source | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Caries Arrest Rate | Systematic review and meta-analysis of silver diamine fluoride (38%) on primary teeth showed an overall caries-arresting rate of 81% (95% CI, 68-89%; P < .001), with rates of 86% at 6 months, 81% at 12 months, 78% at 18 months, and 85% in randomized controlled trials comparing SDF to sodium fluoride varnish (Limited evidence suggesting silver diamine fluoride may arrest dental caries in children, Journal of the American Dental Association, and Evaluation of Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Early Childhood Caries, published in NCBI). ADA JadaPubMed Central | Active cavities are arrested and halted without needing removal or drilling. Your child avoids cavity progression, pain, and more invasive treatment, a single application stops decay at its source. |
| Parental Satisfaction & Acceptance | Cross-sectional studies on parental acceptance of SDF treatment reported 77.5% high satisfaction levels, with 100% of parents agreeing the application process was easy and pain-free, and parental acceptability higher for SDF compared to alternative restorative treatment, especially regarding shorter intervention time, child comfortability, and treatment quality (Parental satisfaction and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride treatment and Child discomfort and parental acceptability studies, published in NCBI). PubMed CentralScienceDirect | Parents appreciate that treatment takes minutes, requires no needles or drilling, and causes zero discomfort. Your child cooperates easily, and you’re satisfied with the rapid, non-traumatic approach. |
| Minimally Invasive & Cost-Effective | SDF has emerged as a minimally invasive, cost-effective solution for caries arrest with the medicament costing less than $1 per application, no caries removal necessary, painless application in a single treatment session, making it a viable treatment for communities with limited access to traditional restorative care (Evaluation of Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride, The Parental Concern and Acceptance of Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment, and Evidence-Based Dentistry Update on Silver Diamine Fluoride, published in NCBI). Evaluation of Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Early Childhood Caries: A Prospective Study – PMC +2 | No drilling, no anesthesia, no multiple appointments. Treatment is completed in one quick visit with no tooth removal and minimal cost. Your child avoids anxiety from dental procedures entirely. |
Sources: Limited evidence suggesting silver diamine fluoride may arrest dental caries in children (Journal of the American Dental Association, 2017); Evaluation of Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Early Childhood Caries (NCBI, 2024); Parental satisfaction and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride treatment (NCBI, 2024); Evidence-Based Dentistry Update on Silver Diamine Fluoride (NCBI, 2019)
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Questions Marlton Parents Ask About Silver Diamine Fluoride
What exactly does silver diamine fluoride do to a cavity?
SDF stops the decay process by hardening the remaining cavity and preventing it from spreading deeper into the tooth or to neighboring teeth. It does not remove the cavity, but it arrests its progression, which is why the tooth may still look dark or discolored on the surface.
Will my child feel pain during the SDF application?
No. SDF is applied directly to the cavity surface with no drilling or injection. Most children report no sensation at all, and the process is over within a few minutes. It is one of the least invasive cavity treatments available.
Is the dark staining permanent?
The dark stain at the site of SDF application is typically a surface discoloration. In baby teeth that will naturally shed within a few years, this cosmetic change is temporary. The stain generally does not spread or worsen over time.
How long does silver diamine fluoride protect a cavity?
Once a cavity is arrested by SDF, the decay stops progressing. The tooth is monitored at regular follow-up visits to confirm the cavity remains arrested. In some cases, a second application may be recommended after several months based on the dentist’s assessment.
Is SDF safe for toddlers and very young children?
Yes. SDF is FDA-cleared and specifically recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for use in children. It is a well-studied, safe option for arresting cavities in baby teeth and is often preferred in very young children who may not tolerate traditional filling procedures.