{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T06:23:24Z","timestamp":1790922204710,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":58,"publisher":"PeerJ","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]],"date-time":"2024-08-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1724630400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>This comprehensive literature review examines the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for the prevention and treatment of enamel carious lesions. SDF has been approved by different international drug associations as a caries-preventing agent to be used on deep carious lesions (dentin). However, SDF can cause staining of exposed tooth structures. Furthermore, the effect of SDF on the bond of adhesives to the tooth structure is still being determined. This review explores various studies on the use of SDF to treat enamel carious lesions, highlighting its effectiveness and preventive action. The literature suggests that SDF inhibits bacterial growth, promotes remineralization, and does not negatively affect adhesive retentions. Potassium iodide (KI) or glutathione (GSH) can reduce staining and discoloration. However, the reviewed studies have limitations. Further research, including well-designed clinical trials, is necessary to validate the findings and evaluate the long-term implications of SDF treatment. Conclusion: Despite the above-mentioned limitations, SDF shows potential as a therapy for enamel caries prevention, remineralization, and use as an adjuvant to other dental treatments, warranting further investigation and the refinement of application methods.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.17897","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]],"date-time":"2024-08-26T02:50:40Z","timestamp":1724640640000},"page":"e17897","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["The use of silver diamine fluoride to prevent\/treat enamel carious lesions: a narrative review"],"prefix":"10.7717","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Rasha N.","family":"AlSheikh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Restorative Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam,  Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"4443","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"790","DOI":"10.1002\/lsm.23528","article-title":"Monitoring silver diamine fluoride application with optical coherence tomography and thermal imaging: an in vitro proof of concept study","volume":"54","author":"Abdelaziz","year":"2022","journal-title":"Lasers in Surgery and Medicine"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.3290\/j.ohpd.a42739","article-title":"Comparison of remineralising potential of nano silver fluoride, silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish on artificial caries: an in vitro study","volume":"17","author":"Akyildiz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"309","DOI":"10.2341\/20-237-L","article-title":"Longitudinal in vitro effects of silver diamine fluoride on early enamel caries lesions","volume":"47","author":"Alcorn","year":"2022","journal-title":"Operative Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-4","volume-title":"CDT 2017 Dental Procedures Codes","author":"American Dental Association","year":"2017"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"ZE21","DOI":"10.7860\/JCDR\/2017\/25866.10110","article-title":"Oral health and quality of life: current concepts","volume":"11","author":"Baiju","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-6","first-page":"317","article-title":"Silver diamine fluoride and bond strength to enamel in vitro: a pilot study","volume":"31","author":"Camacho","year":"2018","journal-title":"American Journal of Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0528.1981.tb00342.x","article-title":"Caries progression in primary molars: 24-month results from a minimal treatment programme","volume":"9","author":"Craig","year":"1981","journal-title":"Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.5395\/rde.2021.46.e7","article-title":"Can silver diamine fluoride or silver nanoparticle-based anticaries agents to affect enamel bond strength?","volume":"46","author":"Favaro","year":"2021","journal-title":"Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0528.1999.tb01989.x","article-title":"Prevention and reversal of dental caries: role of low level fluoride","volume":"27","author":"Featherstone","year":"1999","journal-title":"Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0252734","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0252734","article-title":"The effect of the combined use of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide in disrupting the plaque biofilm microbiome and alleviating tooth discoloration: a systematic review","volume":"16","author":"Haiat","year":"2021","journal-title":"PLOS ONE"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1113","DOI":"10.1111\/jerd.12941","article-title":"Long-term evaluation of early-enamel lesions treated with novel experimental tricalcium silicate paste: a 2-year randomized clinical trial","volume":"34","author":"Hamdi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8498","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-12498-6","article-title":"Remineralisation capability of silver diamine fluoride in artificial enamel lesions on smooth surfaces using quantitative light-induced fluorescence measurements in-vitro","volume":"12","author":"Heukamp","year":"2022","journal-title":"Scientific Reports"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"769","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dental.2022.04.017","article-title":"Solid-state NMR spectroscopy measurement of fluoride reaction by bovine enamel and dentin treated with silver diammine fluoride","volume":"38","author":"Hiraishi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Dental Materials"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1080\/19424396.2016.12220962","article-title":"UCSF protocol for caries arrest using silver diamine fluoride: rationale, indications and consent","volume":"44","author":"Horst","year":"2016","journal-title":"Journal of the California Dental Association"},{"issue":"14","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-15","first-page":"16","article-title":"UCSF protocol for caries arrest using silver diamine fluoride: rationale, indications and consent","volume":"84","author":"Horst","year":"2017","journal-title":"Pennsylvania dental journal"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"537","DOI":"10.5005\/jp-journals-10005-1988","article-title":"Quantitative analysis and effect of SDF, APF, NaF on demineralized human primary enamel using SEM, XRD, and FTIR","volume":"14","author":"Jabin","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103778","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jdent.2021.103778","article-title":"Global research interest regarding silver diamine fluoride in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis","volume":"113","author":"Jiang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"442","DOI":"10.5005\/jp-journals-10005-2423","article-title":"Comparative evaluation of cariostatic and remineralizing potential of two commercial silver diamine fluoride preparations using confocal laser microscopy and EDX-SEM spectroscopy: an","volume":"15","author":"Kale","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"643","DOI":"10.5005\/jp-journals-10005-2454","article-title":"Comparison of cariostatic and remineralizing potential of two commercial silver diamine fluoride preparations using confocal laser microscopy and EDX-SEM spectroscopy: an","volume":"15","author":"Kale","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1302","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v15i4.33","article-title":"Prevalence and factors associated with dental caries among children and adults in selected districts in Uganda","volume":"15","author":"Kutesa","year":"2015","journal-title":"African Health Sciences"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1159\/000497358","article-title":"Association of enamel caries lesions with oral hygiene and DMFT among adults","volume":"53","author":"Laajala","year":"2019","journal-title":"Caries Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-22","first-page":"21","article-title":"Silver diamine fluoride: a new way to treat caries in Canada","volume":"4","author":"Lamberghini","year":"2017","journal-title":"CDA Essentials"},{"issue":"13","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4523","DOI":"10.3390\/ma15134523","article-title":"Effect of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide solution on enamel remineralization and discoloration in artificial caries","volume":"15","author":"Lee","year":"2022","journal-title":"Materials"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"279","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1472-765x.1997.00219.x","article-title":"Interaction of silver nitrate with readily identifiable groups: relationship to the antibacterial action of silver ions","volume":"25","author":"Liau","year":"1997","journal-title":"Letters in Applied Microbiology"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1089\/photob.2020.4894","article-title":"Preventing enamel caries using carbon dioxide laser and silver diamine fluoride","volume":"39","author":"Luk","year":"2021","journal-title":"Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"354","DOI":"10.1111\/eos.12701","article-title":"Influence of 38% silver diamine fluoride application on bond stability to enamel and dentin using universal adhesives in self-etch mode","volume":"128","author":"Markham","year":"2020","journal-title":"European Journal of Oral Sciences"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-023-02799-1","article-title":"Comparative evaluation of prevention of demineralization of artificial enamel caries treated with two fluoride varnishes and 38% SDF in primary teeth: an in vitro study","volume":"23","author":"Mashhour","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Oral Health"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"461","DOI":"10.1007\/s40368-016-0254-8","article-title":"Prevalence of enamel defects and association with dental caries in preschool children","volume":"17","author":"Massignan","year":"2016","journal-title":"European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-29","first-page":"465","article-title":"A clinical comparison of non-traumatic methods of treating dental caries","volume":"44","author":"McDonald","year":"1994","journal-title":"International Dental Journal"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.4103\/JISPPD.JISPPD_4_18","article-title":"Effect of fluoridated varnish and silver diamine fluoride on enamel demineralization resistance in primary dentition","volume":"36","author":"Mohammadi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1590\/0103-6440202002841","article-title":"Prevalence, severity and factors associated with dental caries among school adolescents in Uganda: a cross-sectional study","volume":"31","author":"Ndagire","year":"2020","journal-title":"Brazilian Dental Journal"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"476","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0722.1980.tb01257.x","article-title":"Effect of fluoride and non-fluoride salts of copper, silver and tin on the acidogenicity of dental plaque in vivo","volume":"88","author":"Oppermann","year":"1980","journal-title":"Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"422","DOI":"10.1159\/000260485","article-title":"Effect of some polyvalent cations on the acidogenicity of dental plaque in vivo","volume":"14","author":"Oppermann","year":"1980","journal-title":"Caries Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0722.1990.tb00933.x","article-title":"Antibacterial activity of dental gels containing combinations of amine fluoride, stannous fluoride, and chlorhexidine against cariogenic bacteria","volume":"98","author":"Ostela","year":"1990","journal-title":"Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"411","DOI":"10.1007\/s40368-018-0374-4","article-title":"Effect of silver diamine fluoride on adhesion and microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant to tooth enamel: in vitro trial","volume":"19","author":"P\u00e9rez-Hern\u00e1ndez","year":"2018","journal-title":"European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry"},{"issue":"15","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8992","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19158992","article-title":"Is silver diamine fluoride effective in arresting enamel caries? a randomized clinical trial","volume":"19","author":"Phonghanyudh","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e653\u2013e658","DOI":"10.4317\/jced.58318","article-title":"Effect of application time and concentration of silver diamine fluoride on the enamel remineralization","volume":"13","author":"Punhagui","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jdent.2017.09.005","article-title":"Silver diamine fluoride remineralized artificial incipient caries in permanent teeth after bacterial pH-cycling in-vitro","volume":"69","author":"Punyanirun","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-022-02371-3","article-title":"Evaluation of bleaching agent effects on color and microhardness change of silver diamine fluoride-treated demineralized primary tooth enamel: an in vitro study","volume":"22","author":"Rafiee","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Oral Health"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1025","DOI":"10.3290\/j.ohpd.b871057","article-title":"Commercial silver diamine fluoride (SDF) products on caries lesion progression in primary enamel: an in vitro study","volume":"18","author":"Rom\u00e3o","year":"2020","journal-title":"Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e12751","DOI":"10.1111\/eos.12751","article-title":"Indirect caries-preventive effect of silver diamine fluoride on adjacent dental substrate: a single-section demineralization study","volume":"129","author":"Romero","year":"2021","journal-title":"European Journal of Oral Sciences"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.1177\/0022034508329406","article-title":"Silver diamine fluoride: a caries silver-fluoride bullet","volume":"88","author":"Rosenblatt","year":"2009","journal-title":"Journal of Dental Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"327","DOI":"10.1007\/s40368-024-00886-7","article-title":"Progression of proximal caries in primary molars using the radiographic ICDAS: a retrospective cohort study","volume":"25","author":"Sakulratchata","year":"2024","journal-title":"European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.2334\/josnusd.57.367","article-title":"Effects of different antibacterial agents on enamel in a biofilm caries model","volume":"57","author":"Savas","year":"2015","journal-title":"Journal of Oral Science"},{"issue":"5","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1322","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms19051322","article-title":"Effect of glutathione bio-molecule on tooth discoloration associated with silver diammine fluoride","volume":"19","author":"Sayed","year":"2018","journal-title":"International Journal of Molecular Sciences"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104950","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archoralbio.2020.104950","article-title":"The effect of silver diamine fluoride in preventing in vitro primary coronal caries under pH-cycling conditions","volume":"121","author":"Sorkhdini","year":"2021","journal-title":"Archives of Oral Biology"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103418","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jdent.2020.103418","article-title":"Effectiveness of in vitro primary coronal caries prevention with silver diamine fluoride\u2014Chemical vs biofilm models","volume":"99","author":"Sorkhdini","year":"2020","journal-title":"Journal of Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S247","DOI":"10.5005\/jp-journals-10005-2167","article-title":"Silver diamine fluoride in preventing caries: a review of current trends","volume":"15","author":"Surendranath","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"922","DOI":"10.1177\/00220345780570091901","article-title":"Inhibition and killing of oral bacteria by silver ions generated with low intensity direct current","volume":"57","author":"Thibodeau","year":"1978","journal-title":"Journal of Dental Research"},{"issue":"3\u20134","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"592","DOI":"10.1093\/milmed\/usac216","article-title":"Effects of a two-step silver diamine fluoride varnish on shear bond strength of restorations, dentin and enamel hardness, and biofilm formation","volume":"189","author":"Tiba","year":"2022","journal-title":"Military Medicine"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-51","article-title":"Diammine silver fluoride dental hypersensitivity varnish","author":"U.S. Food & Drug Administration","year":"2017"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104309","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jdent.2022.104309","article-title":"Effects of a 445 nm diode laser and silver diamine fluoride in preventing enamel demineralisation and inhibiting cariogenic bacteria","volume":"126","author":"Xue","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Dentistry"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"579","DOI":"10.1016\/j.identj.2022.06.006","article-title":"A review of the protocol of SDF therapy for arresting caries","volume":"72","author":"Yan","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Dental Journal"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e344\u2013e352","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dental.2018.10.007","article-title":"Remineralisation of enamel with silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride","volume":"34","author":"Yu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dental Materials"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.7518\/hxkq.2020.02.016","article-title":"Advanced research on root canal therapy for primary teeth","volume":"38","author":"Yu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi"},{"issue":"19","key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12917","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191912917","article-title":"Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) efficacy in arresting cavitated caries lesions in primary molars: a systematic review and metanalysis","volume":"19","author":"Zaffarano","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1111\/idj.12320","article-title":"Mechanisms of silver diamine fluoride on arresting caries: a literature review","volume":"68","author":"Zhao","year":"2018","journal-title":"International Dental Journal"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.17897\/ref-58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"940","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dental.2021.02.017H","article-title":"Use of a novel 9.3-\u00b5m carbon dioxide laser and silver diamine fluoride: prevention of enamel demineralisation and inhibition of cariogenic bacteria","volume":"37","author":"Zhao","year":"2021","journal-title":"Dental Materials"}],"container-title":["PeerJ"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/17897.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/17897.xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/17897.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/17897.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]],"date-time":"2024-08-26T02:50:56Z","timestamp":1724640656000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/17897"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]]},"references-count":58,"alternative-id":["10.7717\/peerj.17897"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7717\/peerj.17897","archive":["CLOCKSS","LOCKSS","Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["2167-8359"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2167-8359","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,26]]},"article-number":"e17897"}}