COMPARING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE IN ARRESTING DENTAL CARIES IN CLASS I AND CLASS II CAVITIES: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is widely used to arrest dentinal caries in primary teeth. However, its effectiveness may vary depending on lesion characteristics. Evidence for the comparison of caries arrest rates of SDF between International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) Class I and Class II cavities in primary teeth? is still limited. This pilot study aimed to compare the caries arrest rates of ICDAS Class I and Class II lesions following the application of 38% SDF in primary teeth. Twenty-three children, aged 3 to 6 years, from Wat Plubplachai School, Bangkok, Thailand, with at least two active dentinal carious lesions in posterior teeth were recruited to the study. SDF was applied to all eligible cavities following the Thailand Dental Association's Guidelines. Caries status was assessed at baseline using ICDAS, and caries activity was evaluated using Nyvad criteria. At baseline, 23 children with a total of 90 cavities (45 cavities in Class I and 45 cavities in Class II) were examined. After applying SDF for 3 months, SDF was effective overall and more in Class I cavities (84.4%) than in Class II cavities (57.8%), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.05). In conclusion, SDF was effective in arresting dentinal caries in primary teeth, with greater effectiveness observed in ICDAS Class I than in Class II cavities. The lower effectiveness in Class II lesions may be due to their hard-to-access, more plaque and food retention, which can make treatment less effective.

Keywords: Silver Diamine Fluoride, Arrested Caries, ICDAS