Silver Diamine Fluoride Pilot Study (SDF) (SDF)

Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Arresting Early Approximal Carious Lesion Progression: A Pilot Study

This pilot trial is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial with two parallel arms: an intervention group using silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and a placebo group (control). 60 eligible healthy adults will be enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Both groups will receive the traditional preventive measures including cleanings, Fluoride varnish, diet analysis and counseling. Study participants will be followed for one year and caries progression will be radiographically monitored.

This pilot study will compare 1) Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and fluoride varnish to 2) Placebo and fluoride varnish (conventional prevention) in the management of early approximal carious lesions. Early approximal carious lesions refers to decay between teeth, diagnosed with radiographs, not extending more than 1/3 of the way into dentin. Management of early approximal carious lesions refers to halting lesion progression, or encouraging lesion reversal after an early carious lesion is detected. SDF provides a novel, low-cost intervention option for managing early carious lesions that could potentially bridge the 'gap' between non-operative and operative options; thus, postponing the first placement of a restoration. SDF has been used in arresting carious lesions for more than 100 years. However, SDF has never been tested in the arrest of approximal caries lesions in permanent teeth. SDF acts to both prevent and arrest tooth decay in multiple ways: 1) it acts on the body of carious lesions by precipitating silver ion into the lesion, thus blocking diffusion pathways for cariogenic acids; 2) it interacts with dental enamel leading to the formation of fluoroapatite crystals making the tooth surface more acid resistant; and 3) the precipitated silver from SDF acts as a bactericidal agent disturbing the formation of cariogenic biofilm.

Group 1 (SDF 38%) will receive the application of silver diammine fluoride (38% SDF solution) in addition to 5% sodium fluoride varnish to each approximal carious lesion (scores RA1,RA2,RA3) in a posterior tooth (premolar or molar) that is in contact with an adjacent tooth, using super floss, for a duration of 3 minutes under rubber dam isolation.

Group 2 Placebo (control) will receive the application of sterile water (placebo) in addition to 5% sodium fluoride varnish to each approximal carious lesion (scores RA1,RA2,RA3) in a posterior tooth (premolar or molar) that is in contact with an adjacent tooth, using super floss, for a duration of 3 minutes under rubber dam isolation.

Group 1 (SDF group) subjects will receive the application of silver diamine fluoride (38% SDF solution) in addition to 5% Fluoride varnish to each approximal incipiency, using super floss, for a duration of 3 minutes under rubber dam isolation.

Group 2 (Placebo) subjects will receive application of sterile water (placebo) in addition to 5% Fluoride varnish to each approximal incipiency, using super floss, for a duration of 3 minutes under rubber dam isolation.

Determine if there is a change in the size of the dental cavity from baseline to 12 months after blinded treatment with either Silver Diamine Fluoride 38% or placebo (sterile water). This measurement will be assessed using radiographic examination to determine if there is either evidence of no radiographic change, radiographic progression, or radiographic regression.

Baseline, 12 months after blinded treatment with either Silver Diamine Fluoride 38% or placebo (sterile water)

Inclusion Criteria: Presence of at least one approximal caries lesion (scores RA1, RA2, RA3 according to the ICCMS radiographic scoring system) in one of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars) presented with full contact with the adjacent tooth. All the surfaces eligible for this study will be included. Exclusion Criteria: The approximal lesion detected in the radiograph has advanced dentine lesion (RB4, RC5, or RC6) or is adjacent to a lesion that is either filled or will receive a filling at the time of enrollment.

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