504 - SDF Treatment for Interproximal Caries in Primary Molars: Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) application can arrest the progression of incipient interproximal caries in primary molars as determined by comparing bitewing radiographs (BWX) over time. The secondary aim is to test if SDF applied with Super Floss (SF) will be more effective in arresting caries than SDF applied with a Microbrush (MB) or Fluoride Varnish (FV) applied alone.

Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted on healthy children, 3-12 years of age, with incipient interproximal decay on deciduous molars. The following treatment groups were randomly assigned and applied at the initial visit: 1.Fluoride varnish application alone (Control) 2.SDF application with microbrush (Intervention) 3.SDF application with SF (Intervention). The participants returned for re-application of their respective treatments in 3 and 6 months, as well as returning for bitewing radiographs at 6m and 12m. Three independent raters evaluated radiographs according to the ICCMS radiographic caries classifications.

Results: At the 12-month assessment(n=21): the control treatment (FV) had 41.7% of the lesions progress or grow, the SDF w/ SF treatment had 25% of the lesions progress and SDF w/ MB treatment had 25% of lesions progress at both 6 and 12 months.

Conclusion: All three groups stabilize or improve interproximal caries at 6 months following initial treatment application. SDF appears to reduce caries progression at 12 months following initial SDF application. The study is ongoing to obtain adequate participants to determine significance.