India, Aug. 4 -- A large U.S. study found that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) stopped tooth decay from getting worse in more than half of treated baby teeth. The treatment does not require drilling, injections, or sedation, but it permanently turns the decayed part of the tooth dark.
The Phase III study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, included 830 children under the age of six. The children were recruited from dental clinics, pediatric practices, and Head Start programs in Michigan, New York, and Iowa. Researchers tested whether applying 38 percent silver diamine fluoride every six months could stop active cavities in baby teeth.
The children were randomly divided into two groups. Half received a plac...