131 - Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment for Primary Maxillary Incisors

Purpose: To determine whether silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective treatment for primary maxillary incisors as determined by the need for additional restorative treatment post-SDF application and to identify potential factors that may increase the likelihood of SDF success.

Methods: A chart review was completed for patients who had SDF applied to primary maxillary incisors over 3.5 years. Variables included teeth and tooth surfaces to which SDF was applied, age at initial and subsequent applications, number of applications, time between applications, behavior, use of fluoride varnish, symptoms at initial application, and additional treatment required, including composite resins, crowns, extractions, or sedative fillings and use of sedation or general anesthesia. Descriptive statistics were completed.

Results: Data were collected from 141 subjects with 794 applications of SDF to primary maxillary incisors. Forty-seven percent (47%) of teeth treated with two SDF applications required additional treatment, compared to 41% of teeth treated with more than two SDF applications. There was no significant association between number of SDF applications and need for additional treatment (P=.32). However, SDF applied twice and to more than one surface, was significantly associated with need for additional treatment (P < .0001). There was no statistical difference in future treatment whether fluoride varnish was concomitantly applied with SDF (P=0.32).

Conclusions: SDF is an effective treatment for primary maxillary incisors; however, it is less effective in treating teeth with multiple carious surfaces. Additional SDF treatments and fluoride varnish application following SDF placement did not improve the likelihood of additional treatment needed.