126 - Effect of a LED Curing Light on Silver Diamine Fluoride Penetration into Dentin

Purpose: This ex-vivo study compared the effect of a curing light on the depth of penetration of Silver
Diamine Fluoride (SDF) into a carious lesion.

Methods: Twenty-four teeth were allocated into groups and treated within 5 minutes after extraction: (1)
n=6 treated for 1 min with 1 drop of SDF followed by 10 sec rinse with tap water, (2) n=6 treated with 1
drop of SDF and exposed to LED light for 20 sec followed by 10 sec rinse with tap water (3) n=6 treated
with 1 drop of SDF for 10 sec followed by tap water rinse for 1 min, (4) n=3 untreated and (5) n=3
untreated but exposed to LED light for 20 sec. Samples were prepared, embedded, sectioned and the
extent of silver penetration was measured using quantitative backscattered scanning electron microscopy
(qBSE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Results were expressed as the
average relative depth of penetration= SDF depth / lesion depth * 100, at 5 measurement sites in each
lesion. Group means were compared using mixed model analysis.

Results: Mean ± SD penetration was: 86 ± 20.7% in Group 1, 94 ± 13.7% in Group 2, and 26 ± 14.7% in
Group 3. Groups 1 and 2 were statistically similar and different from Group 3 (P < .001).

Conclusion: Use of LED light for 20 seconds after SDF application seems to facilitate the silver
penetration, similar to a 1 minute SDF application. Clinical studies are needed to define the role of silver
penetration in sustained caries arrest.