Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 38%
silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on carious lesions of human deciduous
teeth. Ten extracted deciduous incisors with caries were collected and
treated with SDF. After the treatment, the teeth were sectioned through
the center of the carious lesion. The extent of sliver precipitation was
examined using quantitative backscattered electron scanning electron
microscopy (qBSE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and
micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The qBSE-SEM images revealed that
the silver particles could penetrate through the pellicle complex, along
with the rod sheaths into the demineralized enamel rods and the
dentinal tubules, and form silver-enriched barriers surrounding the
carious lesions at depths up to 2,490.2 μm (mean 744.7 ± 448.7 μm)
within the dentinal tubules of the carious lesions, but less likely in
the sound enamel. The EDX spectrum analysis revealed that carbon,
oxygen, phosphorus, chlorine, silver, and calcium were the main elements
detected in the lesions treated with SDF. Additionally, sodium,
magnesium, aluminum, silicon, zinc, sulfur, and fluorine were detected
as the minor elements within the SDF precipitation “zone.” The micro-CT
analysis further showed that in the deep cavitated lesions, the silver
precipitation could be observed in the pulp chamber. These findings
provide new evidence defining the SDF mode of action for arresting
caries and suggest that the application of a highly concentrated SDF
solution on deciduous teeth should be used with caution for various
carious lesions.
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