Comparison of Effectiveness of Two Silver Compounds in Arresting Caries in Outreach Programs in Karnataka

Abstract

Context: Silver compounds have been used clinically in dentistry and have effectively arrested dental caries. However, their potential use in community outreach programs has not been explored. Aims: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of two silver compounds, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and silver nitrate (SN), in arresting caries in deciduous teeth when used in outreach programs. Settings and Design: This is a randomized trial with a split mouth design done in three primary schools in Dharwad city. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted among 174 teeth in 58 subjects between the ages of 4 years and 6 years. Pairs of carious teeth in each subject were randomized into two groups: Group A and Group B. Teeth in Group A were treated with 38% SDF and teeth in Group B were treated with 25% SN. These teeth were examined for the arrest of caries after treatment, at the end of 3 months and 6 months. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographic characteristics and percentages of arrested and active carious lesions. Chi-square test was done to compare the proportion of arrested teeth within and between the groups. Results: All the teeth showed arrest of caries immediately after treatment in both the groups which significantly reduced after 6 months. The result also showed that there was no significant difference in the reduction of arrested carious teeth between the two groups. Conclusions: Both SDF and SN can be used in outreach programs with comparable effectiveness in arresting dental caries.