J Dent Hyg Sci.  2023 Mar;23(1):60-67. 10.17135/jdhs.2023.23.1.60.

Silver Diamine Fluoride Compound for Dental Caries and Its Characterisation Using Microscopic Computed Tomography and Nanoindentation

• An SY
• Lee MJ
• Kang MK
• Shim YS

• KMID: 2541218
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2023.23.1.60

Abstract

Background
In our study, a silver diamine fluoride (SDF) compound for the treatment of dental caries was synthesized to characterize its remineralization activity upon direct application to deciduous teeth. This study aimed to use microscopic computed tomography (microCT) and nanoindentation to evaluate whether SDF composite application could effectively arrest dental caries in five exfoliated primary molars.
Methods
Carious teeth were extracted and visually examined using quantitative photofluorescence devices (Qraycam and Qraypen^TM). After performing microCT, the SDF composite was applied to the teeth according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The researchers exchanged and precipitated the irritant saliva once daily for 1 week. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally through the centers of the mesial and distal surfaces, embedded, polished, and measured using nanoindentation. Thereafter, microCT was repeated. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software.
Results
Following SDF composite application, a remineralized layer was observed on microCT images, and the hardness increased when measured using nanoindentation. We found that demineralized enamel presented with an increased number of irregular crystals in the deep carious lesion group compared with those in the shallow carious lesion group, resulting in a rougher surface.
Conclusion
The SDF composite may be used for remineralization of early caries and cessation of advanced caries in primary molars.

Keyword

Dental caries; Fluorides; Silver diamine fluoride