Children’s Dentistry of Fairfax

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Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment in Fairfax, VA

Dental cavities are a common problem in children between 2 to 11. They are caused by poor dental hygiene and the type of diet the children consume over time. As they are usually painless, discovering cavities in your child’s teeth can be difficult, and getting rid of them is even more stressful. This is where silver diamine fluoride comes in.

What is Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment?

Silver diamine fluoride is a blue antimicrobial liquid used to fight tooth cavities in children. This liquid contains fluoride and silver ions, and when it’s brushed onto the cavities, it kills bacteria, stopping tooth decay.

How is the Treatment Performed?

The entire process does not exceed two minutes in our rooms. One of our experienced staff members uses a brush dipped in SDF to paint the cavity. The silver in the liquid then gets to work, killing all the bacteria present, while the fluoride works to remineralize the tooth.

Girl smiling during SDF treatment
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girl smiling and pointing at her smile
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Why SDF?

While there are other methods of treating cavities in children, this one is well recommended because:

  • It is a quick and easy process.
  • The procedure saves the child from pain, including that of having to be injected with an anesthetic.
  • SDF is the only treatment required 80% of the time for smaller cavities.
  • For larger cavities, it keeps the tooth bacteria-free for a long time. This way, the cavities don’t worsen until the child has aged enough to endure other treatment options that would offer more permanent results.
  • Relieves tooth sensitivity even for adults.
  • Remineralizes their natural tooth structure.

Can I Trust SDF?

Silver diamine fluoride is an FDA-approved treatment for tooth desensitization and has proven helpful. We are very thorough with our processes and ensure that we check for any history of allergies before recommending and commencing cavity treatment with SDF.

Important Notes

We work with your best interests in mind and ask that you inform us if your child has any of the following to help us make an informed decision about their treatment:

  • Sores or ulcers in their mouth
  • Silver allergy 
  • Any other health conditions


The use of silver diamine fluoride as a treatment for cavities leaves permanent black stains on the tooth it was applied to. However, this can be helped by placing caps over the tooth to cover the stain when the child is older.

Why Us?

With our silver diamine fluoride treatment, your child can have their oral health back to the optimal level without having to undergo pain. What’s more, we offer advice on maintaining your child’s oral health to prevent more cavities from forming. Call or schedule an appointment today to start your journey to positive oral health for your child or children!

We are excited to meet you and care for all of your child’s dental needs!