Need for re-application
Follow up after silver diamine fluoride
- Typical follow up is 6 months, with re-application of SDF at that visit.
- Adjust follow up re-assessment and SDF re-application (if needed) sooner if clinically appropriate.
- If the dental caries disease is severe or lesions are non-cleansable, consider reapplying in as little as 1 week or several times over 3 months.
- For children aged 3-5, having more caries lesions than number of years old is consistent with severe disease.
- For younger children, severe is defined as having a caries lesion on the lip/cheek side of the teeth.
- If the possibility of longer-term follow up is unlikely (e.g. street medicine or a short-term residential setting) re-application in 1-3 months could be considered.
- If the dental caries disease is severe or lesions are non-cleansable, consider reapplying in as little as 1 week or several times over 3 months.
References:
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on early childhood caries (ECC): Classifications, consequences, and preventive strategies. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2020:79-81.
Horst, J.A., (2018). Silver Fluoride as a Treatment for Dental Caries. Adv Dent Res. 2018 Feb;29(1): 135-140. doi: 10.1177/0022034517743750.
Zhi, Q. H., Lo, E. C., & Lin, H. C., (2012). Randomized clinical trial on effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and glass ionomer in arresting dentine caries in preschool children. J Dent. 40(11):962–967.
Fung, M. H., et al., (2016). Arresting dentine caries with different concentration and periodicity of silver diamine fluoride. JDR Clin Trans Res. 1(2):143–152.
Duangthip, D., Chu, C. H., Lo, E. C. M., (2016). A randomized clinical trial on arresting dentine caries in preschool children by topical fluorides—18 month results. J Dent; 44:57–63.
Yee, R., et al., (2009). Efficacy of silver diamine fluoride for arresting caries treatment. J Dent Res; 88(7):644–647.
Oliveira, B. R. A., Veitz-Keenan, A., Niederman, R. (2018). The effect of silver diamine fluoride in preventing caries in the primary dentition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Caries Res; 53(1):24–32.
Hendre, A. D., et al. (2017). A systematic review of silver diamine fluoride: effectiveness and application in older adults. Gerodontology; 34(4):411–9.