Why does silver diamine fluoride turn teeth black?

SOURCE: Dr. Andrew Horng. Initially, providers didn't think patients and/or their guardians would accept the SDF as a treatment because of its aesthetic effect. The silver ions in SDF, which disrupt the cavity-causing bacterial biofilm³, leave a permanent black stain on the decayed area of the tooth.

Does silver diamine fluoride turn teeth black?

Educate your patients.

Silver diamine fluoride will stain carious tooth structure a dark brown or black color. Caution should be used on other tooth surfaces and near the margins of composite restorations or crowns. Explain the risks of discoloration to tooth structure before application.

Does silver diamine fluoride permanently stain teeth?

Yes. One of the primary drawbacks of treating cavities with SDF is that it results in permanent black staining on the decayed portion of the child's tooth. This staining is significant and generally cannot be completely masked by any white filling material that is subsequently applied over the cavity.

How do you remove silver diamine fluoride stains from teeth?

If any material gets onto your dental light, tray area, or countertop, it will also stain these surfaces. If you catch it before it dries, ammonia-based cleaners such as disinfecting wipes will usually do the trick to remove the stains.

How long does silver diamine fluoride stain teeth?

This stain should disappear on its own within one to three weeks. Tooth-colored fillings that are exposed to SDF may change color. These may be able to be polished off. SDF may cause a temporary metallic taste.

SDF Application Tutorial with Advantage Arrest Silver Diamine Fluoride 38%

How often should silver diamine fluoride be applied?

Frequency of Application for Best Results:

Silver diamine fluoride, when applied correctly, should be effective after a single application. However, multiple applications are likely to be more effective. For maximum caries-arresting benefit, SDF should be reapplied at six-month intervals for two years.

Does SDF always stain teeth?

Healthy tooth structure will not stain. Stained tooth structure MAY be able to be covered when appropriate at a later time with a filling or crown. If SDF touches the gums or skin, a temporary brown stain may appear that cannot typically be washed off.

Does SDF stain other teeth?

Gums and other parts of the mouth can get stained as well, although these stains will eventually go away, unlike the stains on your teeth. SDF can also temporarily stain skin and clothes that come in contact with the solution.

Is there an alternative to silver diamine fluoride?

Alternatives to SDF, not limited to the following:

Depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay as well as the level of behavior and cooperation, other treatment may include placement of fluoride varnish, a filling or crown, extraction, with or without sedation.

Does silver nitrate stain teeth?

The dentist paints silver nitrate over the decay and seals the area with a fluoride varnish. The silver nitrate disinfects and hardens the cavity, stopping the decay process. Silver nitrate can stain teeth. However, dentists can easily cover the stains with a tooth-colored material.

Is silver fluoride safe?

The antibacterial properties of SDF make the treatment useful for fighting harmful bacteria in the mouth as well as between teeth and the deep pits of back teeth. Dental experts continue to use SDF because it has low toxicity levels. This is what makes the treatment safe for the use of humans, including children.

Can you brush your teeth after SDF?

Silver Diamine Fluoride Facts

A small amount of SDF is applied to the decayed tooth area. After SDF application, no eating or drinking for 60 minutes and no tooth brushing until the following morning. Healthy tooth structure will not stain.

Can fluoride treatment discolor teeth?

PROFESSIONAL FLUORIDE TREATMENTS DO NOT STAIN TEETH.It is a misconception that fluoride treatment stains teeth as it can only happen if the teeth are still forming. PROFESSIONAL FLUORIDE TREATMENTS DO NOT HURT. The treatment is absolutely painless and takes only few minutes.

Can fluoride stain teeth?

Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.

What does silver diamine fluoride do?

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is applied directly to cavities to instantly stop the process of decay—for less than a dollar per treatment. Other topical fluorides, including toothpaste and professionally-applied varnish, primarily aim to prevent future tooth decay.

How long does SDF treatment last?

Silver Diamine Fluoride is applied every 3 to 12 months, or as determined by the doctor. After SDF is placed, your child should not eat or drink for 60 minutes or have their teeth brushed until the next morning.

Is SDF an antibiotic?

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an antibiotic liquid treatment that is painlessly brushed onto the teeth to prevent tooth cavities from forming, growing, and spreading.

What ingredient in silver diamine fluoride stains the decayed portion of the tooth and anything it comes in contact with?

The ammonia acts as a stabilizer, keeping silver and fluoride ionic in solution. SDF will always discolor anything with exposed collagen, meaning it will stain decayed or demineralized sites and soft tissues, but not healthy tooth structure.

What does fluoride from the dentist do?

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay.

Will silver diamine fluoride fade?

While SDF permanently stains cavities, it can also stain clothes and other surfaces. If accidently exposed to the skin or lips, SDF can leave a temporary light gray stain, similar to a henna tattoo, which will eventually fade within 2-14 days.

Is silver diamine fluoride FDA approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted its breakthrough therapy designation to silver diamine fluoride 38% (Advantage Arrest, Elevate Oral Care) for use in arresting dental caries in children and adults.

How much fluoride is in silver diamine fluoride?

SDF is a colorless liquid with a pH of 10, 24.4-28.8% (253, 870 ppm) volume of silver, 5.0-5.9% fluoride (44,800 ppm), and ammonia7,9. This alkaline solution has been shown to aid in the formation of covalent bonds of phosphate groups onto proteins and crystallites to grow10.

What are the side effects of fluoride treatment?

Why you shouldn't use fluoride toothpaste?

Swallowing fluoride toothpaste can lead to fluorosis, which interferes with the development of tooth enamel and can result in white streaks on the teeth, and gastrointestinal problems if the amount is large enough.

What are the cons of fluoride?

The cons of fluoride

Certain studies have shown that fluoride may contribute to weakening the bones and maybe even the joint's connective tissues. Fluoride also causes a condition known as fluorosis, which causes tooth discoloration.