Sealants And Silver Diamine Fluoride

An important part of running an ethical dental practice is to prevent the development of cavities through consistent patient education and implementing a regimen for preventative treatment. Two such procedures that can potentially help us avoid the need for difficult dental work are Sealants and Silver diamine fluoride (SDF)

 

SEALANTS

 

What are sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin plastic white- colored coating applied to the chewing surface of the adult molars and can reduce the risk of decay by up to 80%.

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Why are they recommended?

These newly grown adult molars have deep grooves that tend to trap processed food such as chips, Oreos, fruit snacks, crackers, etc. Once packed in, the food tends to be retained for hours, eventually leading to cavities on the chewing surface. In some cases when a cavity is only in the beginning stages, your dentist might be able to avoid a filling by placing a sealant before it progresses.

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When are they recommended?

Sealants are applied to the first set of adult molars (6-year molars) that grow around the age of 6-8 years, and the second set of adult molars (12-year molars) that grow around the age of 12-14. This procedure cannot be attempted until the molar is fully grown in and the patient is cooperative enough. Sealants often last a few years and are typically a preventative service covered by most insurances.

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How are they applied?

It is a simple non-invasive procedure that the dentist will explain/demonstrate to the child before starting. The first step is to apply a mild acidic solution to the tooth. This “blue shampoo” tastes like sour patch kids or lemon juice. The material is rinsed in 15 seconds and the sealant material is painted on the tooth. It is then “dried” using a blue light. If the tooth has stains or plaque in the grooves of the teeth, the dentist will clean the grooves out before starting the sealant application.

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What happens after the appointment?

Your child can eat and drink right away. Occasionally, the bite might feel different the first few days until the sealant adjusts. Most insurances pay for sealants once in a lifetime, but they may be reapplied if indicated in future.

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https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/sealants

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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10912-sealants

 

 

SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE (SDF)

 

In recent years, there has been a surge in research towards avoiding or at least delaying the need for dental work, and Silver Diamine Fluoride has emerged as a reliable alternative when used correctly. The key ingredients in SDF are Silver which is a proven anti-bacterial element and Fluoride which has been employed in dentistry for decades to strengthen the enamel. When applied on a cavity which is at the beginning stages, it can often impede or in some cases completely arrest the growth of the cavity. This procedure is painless and can be used on even young uncooperative children. For the best results it requires early diagnosis, improvement in oral hygiene and diet, and reapplication of SDF as recommended. These “small cavities” will still need to be closely monitored by the dentist, but the delay in definitive treatment could allow the child’s cooperation to improve significantly, increasing the chances of completing the treatment in the office. It should be noted that the application of SDF leads to a dark stain limited to the area of the cavity, and hence should be used cautiously on front teeth. The dentist will discuss this option with you based on the diagnosis and the child’s ability to handle dental treatment. For further details please read the AAPD recommendations on SDF use.

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https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policy-center/sdf.factsheet.pdf

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Please read the consent form employed by the office when SDF is applied

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CONSENT FORM​​​​​​

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