Cleaning the Area
All dental procedures need a clean mouth to be safe and effective. SDF is no different. The dentist removes any debris from the tooth’s cavitation to ensure the solution makes the best possible contact with the affected area. This includes plaque, food debris, or possibly even some of the cavity.
2. Isolating the Area
Because the lips and skin are so susceptible to staining, dentists may apply a protective coating of Vaseline to these areas. Dentists will also isolate the treatment area using cotton rolls or other methods. The gums are usually protected with petroleum jelly or cocoa butter.
3. Applying the SDF
When the mouth is properly prepped, it’s time for the dentist to dry the tooth with compressed air or dry gauze and apply the SDF with a microbrush. They simply dip the brush into the solution, remove any excess liquid and paint the SDF directly to the affected surface. A single drop of the solution is enough to treat up to eight teeth at once.
The application itself takes about a minute but can be shorter for young patients who may be less able to keep still for sustained periods. To allow the SDF to set, the dentist may apply gentle airflow until the solution is dry. Optimally, the affected teeth are then covered with a fluoride varnish which acts as a top coat and seals in the SDF over the cavity portion of the tooth.