Scientists find a simple way to stop cavities without drilling
A clinical trial has confirmed that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective, non-invasive treatment for stopping tooth decay in children. This liquid treatment avoids the need for drilling or sedation.
Why it matters
SDF offers a low-cost, accessible alternative to traditional dental surgery, potentially reducing the burden of untreated cavities in young children.
Untreated cavities send thousands of young children in the United States to emergency departments each year. Because hospital doctors usually cannot repair the underlying dental problem, some children continue to suffer from pain and infection, while others eventually need surgery under general anesthesia.
A low-cost liquid known as silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, may offer a much simpler option. Dentists apply it directly to a cavity with a small sponge-tipped applicator, a process that takes only a few seconds for each tooth. The treatment can stop decay without drilling, injections, or sedation.
A Long-Used Treatment Gains Stronger Evidence
SDF has been used successfully in many countries for decades. In the United States, dentists have used it off-label since 2014, when it was approved as a medical device for reducing tooth sensitivity.
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