Minimally invasive caries management using silver diamine fluoride compared to conventional restorative therapy in uncooperative pediatric patients: a randomized clinical study
https://doi.org/10.36377/ET-0189
Abstract
AIM. The study compares the clinical efficacy of the 38% silver diamine fluoride method of administration with conventional resin-based composite restoration in arresting caries in primary molars of children with oral anxiety and recalcitrant behavior.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. This randomized controlled trial recruited 68 children aged 4 to 8 years, and at least one of the children had an active lesion of caries in the form of either an occlusal lesion or a proximal lesion on a primary molar. The participants were split into two groups for randomization, which would be given either the silver diamine fluoride application (after every six months) or a traditional restoration with rubber dam isolation and local anesthetics. The main goals were clinical caries arrest, measured by tactile and visual assessment of the caries at the ages of 6 and 12 months, and the duration of the therapy. To measure behavioral responses, the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale was used.
RESULTS. There is preliminary evidence that the silver diamine fluoride protocol demonstrates non-inferiority in caries arrest at 6 months, along with a significantly decreased treatment time and an increase in behavioral compliance compared to the conventional group.
CONCLUSIONS. The silver diamine fluoride protocol provides an excellent, clinically minimally invasive, and behaviorally controllable way to cope with caries in hard-to-treat child patients as an alternative to traditional restoration strategies.
About the Authors
H. M. Hashim
Al-Hikma University College
Iraq
Competing Interests:
Iraq
Huda Muneer Hashim – Assistant Lecturer, Department of Dentistry
Baghdad
Competing Interests:
The authors report no conflict of interest.
N. Z. Salim
Al-Hikma University College
Iraq
Competing Interests:
Iraq
Nada Ziyad Salim – Assistant Lecturer, Department of Dentistry
Baghdad
Competing Interests:
The authors report no conflict of interest.
M. S. Abdulrazzaq
Al-Hikma University College
Iraq
Competing Interests:
Iraq
Marwa Siddik Abdulrazzaq – Assistant Lecturer, Department of Dentistry
Baghdad
Competing Interests:
The authors report no conflict of interest.
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Review
For citations:
Hashim H.M., Salim N.Z., Abdulrazzaq M.S. Minimally invasive caries management using silver diamine fluoride compared to conventional restorative therapy in uncooperative pediatric patients: a randomized clinical study. Endodontics Today. 2026;24(2):292-297. https://doi.org/10.36377/ET-0189
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