The effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride when used to arrest caries in children and associated oral health-related quality of life
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Date
2019
Authors
Sihra, Rena
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) with 5% fluoride varnish (FV) in treating cavitated caries in young children and to explore the association between SDF treatment and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).
Methods: Children with active dentinal caries lesions (ICDAS 5 or 6) in primary teeth underwent treatment with 38% SDF and 5% FV at baseline and 4 months later. Treated lesions were assessed 4 and 8 months after baseline to determine arrest. Participants were deemed Completely Successful (CS) if all treated lesions were arrested and Incompletely Successful (IS) if at least one lesion was not arrested. The early childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire was completed at second and third visits. Statistical analyses included descriptive and bivariate methods. A P value ≤ 0.05 was significant.
Results: Forty children with 239 caries lesions were enrolled; mean age 40.2 +/- 14.9 months and 45% male. Lesion arrest rates after one and two applications of SDF were 74.1% and 96.2%, respectively. Children who reportedly brushed twice daily were more likely to be in the CS group compared to those who brushed less (p=0.006). Participants in the CS group had a significantly lower mean baseline dmft score than those in the IS group (p= 0.048). No significant difference in OHRQoL was observed between CS and IS groups.
Conclusions: SDF with 5% FV is an effective approach to the management of ECC; more than one application is recommended along with regular follow-up of patients and twice daily brushing. OHRQoL was not found to be affected by the level of success of SDF treatment.
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Keywords
Silver diamine fluoride, SDF, Early childhood caries, ECC, Oral health-related quality of life, OHRQoL