We offer Silver Diamine Fluoride treatments here at Live Oak Family Dental Care in Leander to help prevent early childhood caries!
Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment near Leander, Texas
Have you’ve ever wondered if there was a product that could instantly stop cavities? Well, it exists and it’s called Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). It’s an affordable and easy to apply treatment for children and adults that constantly deal with tooth decay. Untreated dental caries are a significant pediatric problem as 1 in every 7 children in the U.S. ages 2 to 8 years has untreated dental caries.
When left untreated, caries can cause pain and infections which can be detrimental to your overall health. Silver diamine fluoride is an innovative procedure to stop tooth decay without using a drill or anesthesia. Our experienced pediatric dentists here at Live Oak Family Dental Care can help you make the right choice for toddler and kid tooth repair using Silver Diamine Fluoride!
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is composed of three things: silver, fluoride and ammonia. The benefits of this formula is that silver is antimicrobial while fluoride re-mineralizes and ammonia stabilizes silver and fluoride into a solution. Once the liquid medication is created, it’s applied on top of the teeth with a brush or a specialized floss. This treatment is used to boost the strength of teeth helping them fight against infection causing dental caries. Not only does Silver Diamine Fluoride just stop caries, it prevents future tooth decay! How cool right?
Benefits of Silver Diamine Fluoride:
Silver Diamine Fluoride is an effective and efficient treatment for kids whose cavities cannot otherwise be treated at one time. Silver Diamine Fluoride is also recommended for children with disabilities or those who are unable to sit for longer cavity treatments. Here are the benefit of SDF:
- Non-invasive
- Painless
- Quick treatment time
- Effective cavity prevention
- May stop tooth decay
- Relieves tooth sensitivity
Are There Risks or Side Effects to SDF?
The dentists here at Live Oak Family Dental Care will explain the process beforehand when it comes to treating your child with SDF. Are there any risks to this treatment? Here are some of the risks associated with this treatment:
- In some cases, decayed areas that are treated with Silver Diamine Fluoride will stain black. Healthy tooth areas will not stain. Stained areas be fixed with a filling or crown.
- SDF may also discolor dental fillings and crowns.
- The patient may notice a metallic taste after an application which will quickly go away.
- There is a risk that the procedure will not stop the decay, and will require further dental treatments such as a follow-up Silver Diamine Fluoride application, dental fillings, root canal therapy, or extraction.
SDF is a safe, painless alternative to traditional cavity drilling procedures. As you can see, although there are some cons such as staining and temporary metallic tasting, it is easily fixable with the right dentist! SDF is simple and a very effective solution. Many dentists prefer this convenient option as it avoids general anesthesia for uncooperative patients, it is a safer option for medically-compromised patients and it is a great solution for people in long-term care facilities.
Contact Live Oak Family Dental Care Today
Dr. Jackeline Argandoña has been helping patients take care of their dental health in Leander and all over Central Texas! She’s completed advanced training and is up-to-date with the latest techniques and therapies. As a team, we’re committed to making sure you feel confident in your dental care before you commit to a treatment. Let us know how we can help! We’re happy to answer any questions about Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment.