An open-label, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial of different silver diamine fluoride application intervals to arrest dental caries

Background: Non-surgical interventions are preferred to address the widespread issue of early childhood caries (ECC). Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an antimicrobial agent and alternative treatment option that can be used to arrest dental decay. While there is optimism with SDF with regard to caries management, there is no true consensus on the number and frequency of applications for children. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 38% SDF to arrest ECC at three different application regimen intervals. Methods: Children with ECC were recruited from community dental clinics into an open-label, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomized to one of three groups: visits one month, four months, or six months apart. Participants received applications of 38% SDF, along with 5% sodium fluoride varnish (NaFV), at the first two visits to treat cavitated carious lesions. Lesions were followed and arrest rates were calculated. Lesions were considered arrested if they were hard on probing and black in colour. Statistics included descriptive and bivariate analyses. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Eighty-four children participated in the study (49 males and 35 females, mean age: 44.4 ± 14.2 months). Treatment groups were well matched with 28 participants per group. A total of 374 teeth and 505 lesions were followed. Posterior lesions represented only 29.1% of affected surfaces. Almost all SDF treated lesions were arrested for the one-month (98%) and four-month (95.8%) interval groups at the final visit. The six-month group experienced the lowest arrest rates; only 72% of lesions were arrested (p < 0.001). The duration of application intervals was inversely associated with improvements in arrest rates for all lesions.