What it is and when to use it
SDF is a clear, colourless liquid that arrests active cavitated carious lesions and remineralises demineralised enamel and dentine.36 Some products have a blue tint, but these are not available in the UK. Although licensed to treat dentine sensitivity in the UK and some other countries, it is more usually used 'off-label' to arrest carious lesions. It turns active carious lesions black; therefore, consent to treatment must be obtained and it must be handled with care as it will temporarily stain skin, mucosa and most surfaces on contact.
SDF is an effective way of treating active lesions for primary and permanent teeth (coronal dentine and root).37,38 It can be used opportunistically while the patient is in the dental chair by applying to other high-risk surfaces. SDF is effective in arresting early childhood caries39 and exposed root surfaces.40 It is more successful when used in cleansable lesions and accessible areas of the mouth.41 When caries is more severe or affects multiple teeth, repeated applications of SDF controls the disease (for example, applied after two weeks and six weeks, then six months as required).42