Review

Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) a Viable Biological Treatment Option? Exploring the Application of SDF versus Other Minimally Invasive Methods

Volume: 28 Number: 4 December 29, 2025
TR EN

Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) a Viable Biological Treatment Option? Exploring the Application of SDF versus Other Minimally Invasive Methods

Abstract

Untreated dental caries is a worldwide problem. Conventional caries management encompasses removing all the carious tooth tissue and replacing the lost tooth tissue with a restoration. Minimally invasive techniques emerge as alternative treatments to conventional caries management, which include the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF), atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), interim therapeutic restorations (ITR), fissure sealants, and Hall crowns, together with other caries prevention methods. Modern caries management strategies aim to avoid invasive treatments and attempt to alter the activity of the biofilm and the carious lesions. SDF can be an effective treatment for managing caries at the cavitation stage and may offer an alternative to other minimally invasive methods, especially in preschool children and those with limited access to dental care. This review aims to examine the use of SDF, to evaluate its advantages, disadvantages and discuss whether it can be an alternative or an adjunct to other minimally invasive methods. For this purpose, a literature scan was conducted using the MeSH terms related to the subject (‘silver diamine fluoride’, ‘dental atraumatic restorative treatment’, ‘fluorides, topical’, ‘dental caries’, ‘silver compounds’, ‘cariostatic agents’) in medical databases (Medline-Pubmed, Google Scholar).

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Near East University

Ethical Statement

The author has no conflict of interest and no financial relationships to disclose .All the procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Paedodontics

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Vecihe İpek Yörel *
0009-0007-2023-6431
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

January 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 28 Number: 4

EndNote
Yörel Vİ (December 1, 2025) Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) a Viable Biological Treatment Option? Exploring the Application of SDF versus Other Minimally Invasive Methods. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 28 4 608–616.

Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (Cumhuriyet Dent J, CDJ) is the official publication of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry. CDJ is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancement of dentistry. The aim of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of dentistry. First issue of the Journal of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry was published in 1998. In 2010, journal's name was changed as Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. Journal’s publication language is English.


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