SMART (Silver Modifies Atraumatic Restorative Technique)
What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)?

Made only of fluoride, silver, ammonia, and water; SDF is a painless liquid treatment for individual teeth. Placed directly onto a cavity, it will act quickly to help halt the spread of decay and prevent further damage to the tooth. It can also be used as a preventive measure against future cavities and it works well on reducing sensitivity on teeth

It’s important to keep in mind that SDF will blacken and discolor parts of the tooth (where the decay is). SDF treatment can be an easy and non-invasive way to delay tooth decay while your young child is still growing and developing

Ideal for Young and Special Needs Children

Because SDF is so easy to apply, it’s often recommended for very young children and/or for children with developmental disabilities. Unlike a standard cavity filling, SDF requires no anesthetic or drilling, making it perfect for children who have a hard time sitting still.

Here are a few of the main advantages of using silver diamine fluoride:

• Kills the bacteria causing decay
• Prevents cavities
• Halts the spread of tooth decay
• Easy and pain-free procedure

ITR (interim therapeutic restorations)

Interim therapeutic restorations are a great treatment option for younger kids with shallow decay. By minimally removing decay (either drilled or spoon removal), Glass Ionomer Cement can be placed as a restoration to both seal the cavity hole and continuously protect the affected tooth structure. This is a great treatment option for kids who cannot tolerate traditional fillings or require less decay to be removed. Our Pediatric Dentist will discuss with you if this is a good option for your child.

Hall technique

Sometimes decay in the back teeth are bad but the child has trouble cooperative for treatment. The Hall technique can be used to neutralize the decay with no drilling and continues to fully cover and protect the teeth until they exfoliate. The technique consists of measuring a stainless-steel crown and cementing it on a decayed primary posterior tooth. Slight change in the child’s bite can be expected but it will self-correct within 4-5 weeks.