Silver Diamine Fluoride After Care Instructions

Silver nitrate has been used in dentistry for over a hundred years. In recent years, a closely related medication called Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has been used to manage dental caries with great success.

• Do not eat or drink for one hour after application. Stay away from sticky foods and candies the day of your treatment.
• Your tooth will turn black where the cavity was. This is normal and is a sign that the cavity is dying. If the area lightens, let us know so we can determine if we need to reapply the SDF
• If SDF comes in contact with skin and/or gums, temporary discoloration will occur. It usually disappears within 1-3 weeks.
• If SDF is placed on a tooth that has a tooth colored restoration on it, discoloration may occur.
• While SDF is very effective, the results are not guaranteed. The cavity may grow or come back over time, which could lead to discomfort.
• This treatment does not eliminate the need to place a regular filling in the affected tooth in the future in order to restore function and esthetics. In many cases, if fillings are chosen after arrestment of the tooth infection, little or no anesthetic shots may be necessary in order to perform the filling.