Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an FDA-approved topical solution that treats and prevents dental cavities and reduces tooth sensitivity. It is made with two acting ingredients: the silver component is an anti-microbial agent that kills bacteria and prevents the formation of new biofilm, and the fluoride prevents further demineralization (softening) of the tooth structure.

Treatment with SDF does not eliminate the need for restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, etc.) to repair function or aesthetics, but is effective at preventing further decay.

SDF is a simple and noninvasive way to treat carious lesions (cavities), and it can be done from the comfort of our dental office.

• The teeth are brushed without paste and rinsed.
• The carious teeth are isolated, kept dry, and all excess debris is removed.
• A microbrush is dipped in a drop of SDF and placed on the lesion(s) for two minutes.
• Any decayed areas will stain black. Healthy tooth structure will not stain.
• Excess SDF is removed and patients are instructed to not eat or drink for one hour.

Why use SDF?

We recommend using SDF in several situations, including:

• Children who have extreme decay (severe early childhood caries)
• Young children who have difficulty sitting still for treatment
• Special needs patients
• Children with carious lesions (cavities) that need to be treated over several visits

The Advantages of SDF:

• Provides immediate relief from tooth hypersensitivity
• Kills the organisms that cause cavities
• Hardens softened dentin making it more acid- and abrasion-resistant
• Does not stain healthy dentin or enamel

Hall Crowns

The Hall Technique is a non-invasive treatment for decayed baby back (molar) teeth. Decay is sealed under preformed (stainless steel) crowns, avoiding injections and drilling. It is one of a number of biologically orientated strategies for managing dental decay.

Evidence shows that it is acceptable to children, parents, and dentists and it is preferred over standard filling techniques, due to the ease of application and overall patient comfort as young patients don't have to undergo traumatic injections. Preformed metal crowns are now recommended as the optimum restoration for managing carious primary molars. Crowns placed using the Hall Technique have better long-term outcomes (pain/infection and need for replacement) compared with standard fillings