Liquid Treatment Halves Childhood Cavities Without Drilling

A liquid brushed onto cavities can stop decay in many young children, potentially preventing pain, infection, and surgery. A major United States clinical trial found that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) halted decay in over half of treated baby teeth. This treatment requires no drilling, injections, or sedation, though it permanently darkens the decayed area.

Untreated cavities lead thousands of children to emergency departments annually. Hospital doctors often cannot address the underlying dental issue. This can result in ongoing pain and infection, sometimes requiring surgery under general anesthesia.

SDF offers a simpler alternative. Dentists apply it directly to a cavity with a small sponge-tipped applicator. The process takes only a few seconds per tooth. This method can stop decay without invasive procedures.

SDF has been used in other countries for decades. In the United States, dentists have used it off-label since 2014. It was approved then as a medical device to reduce tooth sensitivity. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires large clinical trials to approve SDF as a drug for treating tooth decay.

The University of Michigan led a Phase three study to provide this evidence. The study, published in *JAMA Pediatrics*, included 830 children under six years old. Participants were recruited from dental offices, pediatric practices, and Head Start programs in Michigan, New York, and Iowa. Researchers found that 38% SDF stopped tooth decay in more than 50% of affected baby teeth when applied every six months.

Traditional cavity treatment involves removing damaged tooth material and placing a filling. SDF does not require tooth removal. Instead, the liquid is painted onto the decayed area. This treatment is effective and safe, even for children as young as one year old. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children, affecting over 40% in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause severe pain, infections, sleep and eating difficulties, missed school days, and repeated medical appointments. This treatment could particularly benefit very young children, older adults, individuals with developmental or physical disabilities, and patients with severe dental anxiety. It may also help those with limited access to conventional dental care.