Silver diamine fluoride for caries management in primary molars

The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, ESIC Dental College, Rohini, Delhi. Children in the age group of 4-8 years, presenting to the departmental clinic for dental treatment were screened, and those presenting clinically cavitated carious lesion involving dentin having soft caries in primary molar without pulp exposure were considered for participation in the study. Informed consent was obtained from each subject’s parents before enrolling them in study. Each child was randomly assigned to treatment group A or B by envelope method.

The two groups divided were as follows:   a)  GROUP-A : (n=25) Control- Complete caries removal done and tooth restored with Stainless steel crown (SSC)

b)  GROUP-B: (n=25) Silver diamine fluoride applied followed by SSC using Hall technique.                          Follow up was done at 1 month, 3,6,12 months interval and treatment success or failure was determined by a combination of clinical and radiographic findings by an investigator blinded to the treatment groups. Radiographs were taken at 3months, 6 months and 12 months follow up visit. The differences in both the groups for clinical and radiographic parameters was statistically analysed- qualitative data using chi square test.

Results: Combining clinical and radiological results for major failures, there was no statistically significant difference in both the groups.