Silver diamine fluoride treatment is one of the best alternatives to filling cavities in baby teeth. Of all the options for treating cavities and tooth decay in toddlers and children, SDF is the least invasive. Consider the alternative — classic fillings. The process requires around an hour at the dentist’s office. The dentist first numbs the teeth, gums, and skin surrounding the mouth to prevent pain during the procedure. The dentist then drills the decay out of the affected teeth and replaces it with a dental paste for cavities made of silver amalgam, composite resin or other materials.
While the process of getting a filling is relatively short, it can be a scary ordeal for a child. The sound of the drill in combination with the strange sensation of mouth-numbing can throw kids into a panic. Because the drilling process must be precise, especially when handling smaller teeth, there is a certain level of cooperation that must be met in order to do fillings on young children.
The complete filling procedure can be stressful, but it’s necessary to restore teeth in the long term. If the affected teeth are baby teeth, however, it may not be worth it to restore them. SDF works as an alternative cavity treatment by stopping tooth decay from getting worse. It doesn’t restore the teeth — it works as a stop-gap solution while you’re waiting for baby teeth to fall out.