CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE IN ARRESTING ACTIVE DENTIN CARIES IN PRIMARY MOLARS

Abstract

Introduction: The atrauamatic restorative technique or approach has achieved considerable interest worldwide. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) controls active carious lesions and helps in preventing further progression of the disease. Aim of the study: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of conventional glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX) and silver diamine fluoride in arresting active dentin carious lesions in primary molars through clinical evaluation. Materials and Methods: Sixty primary molars, with active dentin carious lesion (scores 4 or 5) according to ICDAS II in 25 children (4-7 years) were included in the present study. All selected teeth were treated with modified atraumatic restorative technique (ART). The treated teeth were divided into two groups according to the restorative material: Group 1 was restored with Fuji IX while Group II was restored with SDF and Fuji IX. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically for specific parameters and followedup for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: When compared to Group II regarding all the tested clinical criteria (spontaneous pain, mobility, sensitivity to percussion and sinus or swelling); there was a statistically significant decrease in success rate within both group I (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.367) and group II (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.187). According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the mean survival time for Group I was 9.9 months and for Group II was 11.2 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the survival of the two materials within the time frame of the present study (P-value = 0.170). Conclusion: It could be concluded that 38% SDF offers an easy and efficient alternative treatment for early childhood caries in young children in comparison to traditional restorative procedures with better longevity, treatment outcome and prognosis.