Silver Diamine Fluoride

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States and worldwide.^1-3  In the United States,  decreasing levels of caries prevalence and untreated tooth decay have been reported among children and adolescents, but caries prevalence has remained relatively unchanged among adults and older adults, according to national oral health surveillance data.⁴ 

Long-term improvements in caries prevalence and reduced caries severity have been associated with water fluoridation⁵ and the use of fluoride-containing oral care products.⁶ Nevertheless, caries prevalence levels in the United States remain persistently high among vulnerable patient populations and patients with high caries risk factors,⁴ and worldwide an estimated 3 billion children and adults are affected by untreated caries.⁷ To address this common yet preventable disease, researchers are continuing to investigate the effectiveness of fluoride-containing materials in arresting carious lesions and preventing future development of caries lesions, including an increasing focus on silver diamine fluoride (SDF).

Silver diamine fluoride is a colorless or blue-tinted liquid with a pH between 10 and 13, which is comprised of approximately 24.4% to 28.8% (weight/volume) silver, 5.0% to 5.9% fluoride and 8.0% ammonia.^8-12 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified SDF as a Class II medical device, and it is cleared for use in the treatment of tooth sensitivity, which is the same type of clearance as fluoride varnish, and must be professionally applied.

Although some additional products are commercially available in other countries, as of September 2023, Advantage Arrest™ (Elevate Oral Care, L.L.C.) and Riva Star™ (SDI, Inc.) are the only commercially available SDF products for dental use in the U.S.¹³ In 2016, Advantage Arrest™ was designated by the FDA as a breakthrough therapy for the arrest of caries in children and adults; this designation indicates that a therapy has the potential to address a currently unmet medical need.¹⁴ Although use of SDF has been reported in caries control and management, it is not specifically FDA-labeled for use for this indication (i.e., “off-label use”). When applied to a carious lesion, SDF has also been shown to decrease caries risk of adjacent tooth surfaces.¹⁵  SDF has also shown efficacy in management of root caries in the elderly.^16-20 It has additional applicability as an interim approach for managing caries in individuals currently unable to tolerate more involved dental treatment, including special needs populations.^21-23 

SDF offers the possibility of arresting or slowing progression of caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth without removal of sound tooth tissue.^{24, 25} In addition, SDF appears to promote remineralization of demineralized dentin.^{24, 26} The effectiveness of treating carious lesions with SDF is demonstrated by the increase in mineral density of the previously carious tissue.²⁷ The main benefits of SDF are: control of pain and infection, ease of application, low cost, minimal application time and training required, and as a noninvasive method of caries arrest.²⁸ Single application of SDF has been reported to be insufficient for sustained benefit and requires reapplication.²⁹ Its potential downsides include a reportedly unpleasant metallic taste, potential to irritate gingival and mucosal surfaces, and the characteristic black staining of the tooth surfaces to which it is applied.³⁰ Occasional diarrhea and stomach ache were also reported in a clinical trial of pediatric patients, but the events were mild in severity and resolved within two days of reporting.³¹ 

SDF may be a preferred option to arrest caries in deciduous teeth, older individuals, when physical limitations do not allow more extensive treatment or when access to conventional restorative techniques, such as resin composite or amalgam restorations, are not available. Because conventional caries treatment in young children and/or individuals with special care needs may require advanced sedation techniques, SDF may be a viable treatment option when sedation is either not desirable or available.

SDF may have utility in the situation of multiple caries lesions that cannot be treated by conventional means in one single visit.  It allows for stabilization of the disease prior to proceeding with conventional restorative treatment. SDF treatment has also been shown to be as effective in stopping caries progression as atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), while being up to twenty times less costly.²⁹

SDF is an alkaline solution with 38% weight/volume Ag(NH₃)₂F. The silver functions as an antimicrobial, while fluoride is present in sufficient concentration to promote remineralization;^32-34 the ammonia (NH₃) present stabilizes the solution.²⁹ When in contact with the tooth, the diamine-silver ion complexes react with hydroxyapatite forming silver phosphate (Ag₃PO₄) and silver oxide (Ag₂O).²⁸ While SDF inhibits the collagenolytic enzymes that break down exposed dentin organic matrix, ionic silver acts as an antibacterial by disrupting membranes, denaturing proteins, and inhibiting DNA replication.²⁹ Antibacterial mechanisms of SDF can also be attributed to the formation of organometallic complexes inside the bacterial cell. Organometallic complexes can: (a) deactivate enzymes by blocking the electron transport system in bacteria, resulting in bacterial cell death; (b) induce rupture of the bacterial cell; and (c) interact with the DNA of bacterial cells resulting in mutation and death.³³

The formation of silver compounds results in striking tooth structure color change,³² which is the main adverse effect following SDF treatment. With respect to patient concerns about fluoride, there is less fluoride content in the amount of SDF used to treat a tooth with caries than in fluoride varnish.³⁵ The AAPD reports no known systemic or serious adverse effects reported for SDF when used according to manufacturer directions.²³

SDF has been cleared by the FDA as a dentin desensitizing agent,²⁹ and various studies support the effectiveness of SDF in treating tooth sensitivity.^{36, 37} When applied to areas with sensitive dentin surfaces, a layer of silver and dentin organic matrix protein conjugates forms.²⁹ This squamous layer formed on the exposed dentin surface partially closes the exposed dentin tubules.²⁹

The caries process commonly occurs through exposure to dietary sugars and complex bacterial interactions in the oral cavity, including biofilm formation, bacterial metabolism, frequent acid production, tooth mineral demineralization, and organic matrix degradation.^38-42 The cariogenic process is initiated by an imbalance in the demineralization and remineralization equilibrium, induced by the presence of acid-producing and acid-tolerant bacteria, shifting to a lower pH, resulting in loss of tooth minerals.⁴²  Therefore, it is important to enhance the protective and minimize the pathologic factors associated with tooth decay. Current strategies for caries management focus on the individual’s risk assessment and establishment of preventive and/or restorative treatments.⁴³

Caries progression occurs by simultaneous demineralization of enamel and dentin and degradation of the organic matrix.⁴¹ Once the caries lesion is developed, treatment options include restorative and non-restorative measures.⁴³ Nonrestorative approaches may be invasive, such as preventive resin restorations; or noninvasive, such as SDF, fluoride therapy, or sealants.

Although most studies reported caries arrest in deciduous teeth, the proposed mechanisms by which SDF may help arrest caries would likely apply for permanent teeth.⁴²

In 2018, the ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis⁴⁴ informing a clinical practice guideline⁴² on nonrestorative treatments for carious lesions. The expert panel formulated 11 clinical recommendations, each specific to lesion type (i.e., cavitated, noncavitated), tooth surface (i.e., coronal, root surface [in adults]) and dentition (i.e., primary or permanent). The panel provided recommendations for the use of the most effective treatment options, which included 38% SDF, along with other topical fluoride products. The expert panel recommended that clinicians prioritize the use of 38% SDF solution biannually to arrest advanced cavitated carious lesions on coronal surfaces of primary teeth.⁴² The expert panel extrapolated these results to recommend that clinicians could also use biannual application of 38% SDF solution to arrest advanced cavitated lesions on coronal surfaces of permanent teeth. Biannual application of 38% SDF for advanced cavitated lesions may be relevant if access to care is limited, for uncooperative patients, or for patients when general anesthetic is not considered safe.⁴²

A 2017 guideline⁴⁵ from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) made a conditional recommendation (based on low-quality evidence) for the use of SDF in the management of caries in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Panel members were confident that, given its low cost and the disease burden of caries, the benefits of SDF application in the target populations outweighed the undesirable dark discoloration of carious dentin treated with SDF.

According to an umbrella review, application of 38% SDF prevented root caries in adults with success rates 72% higher than a placebo treatment.⁴⁶ The same review reported a prevented fraction for successful root caries arrest, between 100% and 725% higher as compared to a placebo treatment.⁴⁶ Another study indicated that application of 38% SDF in combination with oral health education was the most effective method for preventing root caries in adults.⁴⁷

The disadvantages of SDF include potential pulpal and oral soft tissue irritation and dental staining. Attention is needed during the application to avoid contact of the solution with the gingiva, since it may cause irritation.²⁷ Mature and sound enamel is not stained, unless there is any superficial defect, such as hypomineralization or carious/demineralized or immature enamel, where the porosities allow silver ions to penetrate.⁴⁸

Further restoration of the arrested caries lesion may be needed to recover form and function of a cavitated tooth, which will also diminish tooth discoloration.⁴⁹ There is limited evidence on the adhesive performance of traditional restorative options, such as resin composite and glass ionomer cement (GIC), following caries arrest with SDF.⁴⁹ SDF treatment does not seem to impair GIC bonding.^{50, 51}

A 2019 systematic review found that once-yearly SDF application was more effective in preventing caries than more frequent application (i.e., 2 to 4 times yearly) of fluoride varnish.⁴⁸ Whereas when compared to occlusal sealants, SDF was only more effective in preventing caries if continuously applied.⁴⁸

Evidence shows that SDF at 38% can be an effective, noninvasive treatment option to arrest dentinal caries.^{30, 42, 52} Among the reasons for such success are the synergistic effects of silver and fluoride ions, inhibiting bacterial/biofilm growth and supporting remineralization, respectively. Anti-enzymatic activity of silver and fluoride ions can also inhibit activity of collagenolytic enzymes that break down exposed dentin matrix. Permanent staining is observed in arrested caries lesions, limiting its use in esthetic areas.

ADA Statement on the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) to Arrest Carious Lesions (Trans.2020:304)

38% Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a topical antimicrobial and remineralizing agent which was cleared by the FDA as a Class II medical device to treat tooth sensitivity. In certain circumstances, SDF may be used as a non-restorative treatment to arrest carious lesions on primary and permanent teeth. The use of SDF to arrest carious lesions requires diagnosis and monitoring by a dentist.

When using SDF for caries management, the following protocols should be followed:

1. Development of a patient-specific treatment plan by the dentist.
2. Patients or their lawful guardians should be informed of all available treatment options, possible side effects, and the need for follow-up monitoring when giving informed consent.
3. The application of SDF may be delegated to qualified allied dental personnel with the appropriate training and supervision in accordance with state laws and in conjunction with the above protocols.

and be it further

Resolved, that the ADA supports SDF as a covered benefit by third-party payers, and be it further

Resolved, if the tooth treated with SDF requires further treatment, that this restorative treatment or extraction of the tooth also remain a covered benefit.

1. National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research. Dental caries (tooth decay).  2022. "https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries". Accessed September 8, 2023.
2. Wen P, Chen M, Zhong Y, Dong Q, Wong H. Global burden and inequality of dental caries, 1990 to 2019. Journal of Dental Research 2022;101(4):392-99.
3. Pitts NB, Twetman S, Fisher J, Marsh PD. Understanding dental caries as a non-communicable disease. British Dental Journal 2021;231(12):749-53.
4. Lin M, Griffin SO, Gooch BF, et al. Oral health surveillance report: trends in dental caries and sealants, tooth retention, and edentulism, United States: 1999–2004 to 2011–2016.  2019.
5. Iheozor‐Ejiofor Z, Worthington HV, Walsh T, et al. Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(6).
6. O'Mullane D, Baez R, Jones S, et al. Fluoride and oral health. Community Dental Health 2016;33(2):69-99.
7. Kassebaum NJ, Bernabé E, Dahiya M, et al. Global burden of untreated caries:a systematic review and metaregression. J Dent Res 2015;94(5):650-58.
8. Elevate Oral Care. Safety Data Sheet--Advantage Arrest Silver Diamine Fluoride 38%.  2023. "https://www.elevateoralcare.com/site/images/AASDS082415.pdf".
9. Seifo N, Robertson M, MacLean J, et al. The use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in dental practice. British Dental Journal 2020;228(2):75-81.
10. Mei ML, Chu CH, Lo EC, Samaranayake LP. Fluoride and silver concentrations of silver diammine fluoride solutions for dental use. Int J Paediatr Dent 2013;23(4):279-85.
11. Crystal YO, Rabieh S, Janal MN, Rasamimari S, Bromage TG. Silver and fluoride content and short-term stability of 38% silver diamine fluoride. J Am Dent Assoc 2019;150(2):140-46.
12. Yan IG, Zheng FM, Yin IX, et al. Stability of silver and fluoride contents in silver diamine fluoride solutions. International Dental Journal 2023.
13. Burgette JM, Weintraub JA, Birken SA, Lewis TA, White BA. Development of a silver diamine fluoride protocol in safety net dental settings. Journal of Dentistry for Children 2019;86(1):32-39.
14. Horst JA. Silver fluoride as a treatment for dental caries. Adv Dent Res 2018;29(1):135-40.
15. Llodra JC, Rodriguez A, Ferrer B, et al. Efficacy of silver diamine fluoride for caries reduction in primary teeth and first permanent molars of schoolchildren: 36-month clinical trial. J Dent Res 2005;84(8):721-4.
16. Li R, Lo EC, Liu BY, Wong MC, Chu CH. Randomized clinical trial on arresting dental root caries through silver diammine fluoride applications in community-dwelling elders. J Dent 2016.
17. Zhang W, McGrath C, Lo EC, Li JY. Silver diamine fluoride and education to prevent and arrest root caries among community-dwelling elders. Caries Res 2013;47(4):284-90.
18. Hendre AD, Taylor GW, Chavez EM, Hyde S. A systematic review of silver diamine fluoride: Effectiveness and application in older adults. Gerodontology 2017;34(4):411-19.
19. Chan AKY, Tamrakar M, Jiang CM, et al. Clinical evidence for professionally applied fluoride therapy to prevent and arrest dental caries in older adults: a systematic review. Journal of Dentistry 2022;125:104273.
20. Grandjean ML, Maccarone NR, McKenna G, Müller F, Srinivasan M. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in the management of root caries in elders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Swiss Dent J 2021;131(5):417-24.
21. Giusti L, Steinborn C, Steinborn M. Use of silver diamine fluoride for the maintenance of dental prostheses in a high caries-risk patient: A medical management approach. J Prosthet Dent 2018;119(5):713-16.
22. Gao SS, Zhao IS, Hiraishi N, et al. Clinical trials of silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries among children: a systematic review. JDR Clin Trans Res 2016;1(3):201-10.
23. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on the use of silver diamine fluoride for pediatric dental patients. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2023. "https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_silverdiamine.pdf". Accessed September 12, 2023.
24. Zhao IS, Gao SS, Hiraishi N, et al. Mechanisms of silver diamine fluoride on arresting caries: a literature review. International Dental Journal 2018;68(2):67-76.
25. Young DA, Quock RL, Horst J, et al. Clinical instructions for using silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in dental caries management. Compend Contin Educ Dent 2021;42(6):e5-e9.
26. Cifuentes-Jiménez CC, Bolaños-Carmona MV, Enrich-Essvein T, González-López S, Álvarez-Lloret P. Evaluation of the remineralizing capacity of silver diamine fluoride on demineralized dentin under pH-cycling conditions. Journal of Applied Oral Science 2023;31:e20220306.
27. Roberts A, Bradley J, Merkley S, et al. Does potassium iodide application following silver diamine fluoride reduce staining of tooth? A systematic review. Aust Dent J 2020;65(2):109-17.
28. Rosenblatt A, Stamford TC, Niederman R. Silver diamine fluoride: a caries "silver-fluoride bullet". J Dent Res 2009;88(2):116-25.
29. Horst JA, Ellenikiotis H, Milgrom PL. UCSF protocol for caries arrest using silver diamine fluoride: rationale, indications and consent. J Calif Dent Assoc 2016;44(1):16-28.
30. Mei ML, Lo EC, Chu CH. Clinical use of silver diamine fluoride in dental treatment. Compend Contin Educ Dent 2016;37(2):93-8; quiz100.
31. Milgrom P, Horst JA, Ludwig S, et al. Topical silver diamine fluoride for dental caries arrest in preschool children: A randomized controlled trial and microbiological analysis of caries associated microbes and resistance gene expression. J Dent 2018;68:72-78.
32. Crystal YO, Niederman R. Evidence-Based Dentistry Update on Silver Diamine Fluoride. Dent Clin North Am 2019;63(1):45-68.
33. Mei ML, Lo ECM, Chu CH. Arresting dentine caries with silver diamine fluoride: what's behind it? J Dent Res 2018;97(7):751-58.
34. Sorkhdini P, Gregory RL, Crystal YO, Tang Q, Lippert F. Effectiveness of in vitro primary coronal caries prevention with silver diamine fluoride-chemical vs biofilm models Journal of Dentistry 2020;99:103418.
35. Crystal YO, Marghalani AA, Ureles SD, et al. Use of silver diamine fluoride for dental caries management in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Pediatr Dent  2017;39(5):E135-E145. "https://www.aapd.org/media/policies_guidelines/g_sdf.pdf". Accessed September 15, 2023.
36. Castillo J, Rivera S, Aparicio T, et al. The short-term effects of diammine silver fluoride on tooth sensitivity: a randomized controlled trial. J Dent Res 2011;90(2):203-08.
37. de Almeida Piovesan É T, Alves JB, Ribeiro C, et al. Is silver diamine fluoride effective in reducing dentin hypersensitivity? A systematic review. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects 2023;17(2):63-70.
38. Selwitz RH, Ismail AI, Pitts NB. Dental caries. The Lancet 2007;369(9555):51-59.
39. Law V, Seow W, Townsend G. Factors influencing oral colonization of mutans streptococci in young children. Australian dental journal 2007;52(2):93-100.
40. Kidd E. The implications of the new paradigm of dental caries. Journal of Dentistry 2011;39:S3-S8.
41. Takahashi N, Nyvad B. Ecological hypothesis of dentin and root caries. Caries Research 2016;50(4):422-31.
42. Slayton RL, Urquhart O, Araujo MWB, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on nonrestorative treatments for carious lesions: a report from the American Dental Association. J Am Dent Assoc 2018;149(10):837-49.e19.
43. Fontana M, Gonzalez-Cabezas C. Evidence-based dentistry caries risk assessment and disease management. Dent Clin North Am 2019;63(1):119-28.
44. Urquhart O, Tampi MP, Pilcher L, et al. Nonrestorative treatments for caries: systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Dent Res 2018:22034518800014.
45. Crystal YO, Marghalani AA, Ureles SD, Wright JT, Sulyanto R, Divaris K, Fontana M, Graham L. Use of silver diamine fluoride for dental caries management in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Pediatric Dentistry. 2017 Sep 15;39(5):135E-45E.
46. Seifo N, Cassie H, Radford JR, Innes NPT. Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. BMC Oral Health 2019;19(1):145.
47. Zhang J, Sardana D, Li KY, Leung KCM, Lo ECM. Topical fluoride to prevent root caries: systematic review with network meta-analysis. J Dent Res 2020;99(5):506-13.
48. Horst JA, Heima M. Prevention of Dental Caries by Silver Diamine Fluoride. Compend Contin Educ Dent 2019;40(3):158-63; quiz 64.
49. Jiang M, Wong MCM, Chu CH, Dai L, Lo ECM. Effects of restoring SDF-treated and untreated dentine caries lesions on parental satisfaction and oral health related quality of life of preschool children. J Dent 2019;88:103171.
50. Wu DI, Velamakanni S, Denisson J, et al. Effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application on microtensile bonding strength of dentin in primary teeth. Pediatr Dent 2016;38(2):148-53.
51. Jiang M, Mei ML, Wong MCM, Chu CH, Lo ECM. Effect of silver diamine fluoride solution application on the bond strength of dentine to adhesives and to glass ionomer cements: a systematic review. BMC Oral Health 2020;20(1):40.
52. Trieu A, Mohamed A, Lynch E. Silver diamine fluoride versus sodium fluoride for arresting dentine caries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports 2019;9(1):2115.

Professional Resources

ADA Video: Silver Diamine Fluoride Application: Evidence-Based Recommendations

ADA Library Services

Professional Product Review, Vol 12, Iss 2: Fluoride Analysis of Fluoride Varnish and SDF (ADA log-in required)

Professional Product Review, Vol 10, Iss 3: Fluoride Analysis of Fluoride Varnish (ADA log-in required)

• Clinical practice guideline on nonrestorative treatments for carious lesions
• ADA Oral Health Topic on Fluoride topical and systemic supplements

Patient Resources

Video: Fluoride: The Superhero of Cavity Fighting

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• Chairside Guide: Silver Diamine Fluoride in the Management of Dental Caries Lesions (PDF)
• Policy on the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Pediatric Dental Patients (PDF)

American Dental Hygienists’ Association

• State-Specific Information on Silver Diamine Fluoride (PDF)

Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Fact Sheet (PDF)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Head Start—Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center)

• Understanding Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride