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A painless way to stop a cavity in its tracks, with no drilling and no needles.
SDF combines silver, which stops the bacteria causing the decay, with fluoride, which strengthens the remaining tooth. Brushed onto the affected area, it halts the cavity where it is and helps protect the tooth from further damage. It does not remove the decay that is already there, it stops it from getting worse.
SDF turns the treated decay dark, usually black. That colour change is how the treatment works, and it stays on the decayed area.
On a back baby tooth this is rarely noticeable, but on a visible front tooth it is something to weigh up. We always show you where the treatment would go and explain how it will look before we begin, so there are no surprises. Where appearance matters, we will talk through the alternatives.
We gently clean and dry the affected tooth with air and cotton rolls.
We brush on a tiny drop of SDF liquid directly over the decayed spot.
We let the SDF sit for a minute or two to absorb fully. No drilling, no numbing!
We check the tooth at routine checkups to confirm the decay has stopped completely.
No. There is no drilling and no needle. The liquid is brushed on and takes a couple of minutes.
The dark colour comes from the silver reacting with the decay, and it shows the treatment is working. It stays on the decayed area only, which is why we discuss placement with you first.
Yes. SDF has been used for years and is safe when applied by a dental professional. We check your child’s history before recommending it.
If your child dreads the dentist, sedation can change that. Call us to talk through the options, often with a same-week appointment.
