Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment
In the New York Area
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Non-Invasive Cavity Treatment
Finding out your child has a cavity can be stressful, especially if they are very young, have special healthcare needs, or experience severe dental anxiety. The idea of traditional drilling, numbing shots, and fillings isn't always feasible for every patient.
At LAVAAN Smiles, we are proud to offer Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)—a revolutionary, FDA-approved liquid treatment that allows our pediatric team to stop tooth decay in its tracks painlessly, without the need for needles or drills.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a safe, minimally invasive topical liquid used to halt the progression of active cavities. It is composed of three primary ingredients that work together to heal and protect the tooth:
Silver: A powerful, natural antimicrobial agent that actively kills the bacteria causing the tooth decay.
Water: Provides a liquid base that allows the solution to easily flow into the microscopic deep grooves and lesions of the tooth.
Fluoride: Promotes remineralization, strengthening the natural tooth structure and preventing the cavity from growing any larger.
The Benefits of SDF Treatment
For decades, treating a cavity meant removing the decayed tissue with a drill. SDF offers a completely different, highly beneficial approach for qualifying patients:
100% Painless: There are no drills, no scraping, and no needles required. The liquid is simply brushed onto the cavity.
Incredibly Fast: The entire application process takes less than a minute per tooth, making it ideal for toddlers with short attention spans.
Relieves Sensitivity: SDF is highly effective at instantly relieving the tooth sensitivity often caused by an active cavity.
Buys Crucial Time: SDF halts decay, allowing us to safely delay more invasive treatments (like fillings or crowns) until a young child is older and better able to tolerate a traditional dental procedure.
Who is a Good Candidate?
While SDF is a remarkable tool, it is not a replacement for all traditional fillings. Our expert team may recommend SDF for:
Very young children (infants and toddlers) who cannot sit still for traditional restorative work.
Children and individuals with special healthcare needs.
Patients with severe dental phobias or anxiety.
Cavities on primary (baby) teeth that are scheduled to naturally fall out in the near future.
An Important Consideration: The Aesthetic Change
While SDF is highly effective and completely painless, it does have one significant side effect that parents must be aware of: it permanently turns the decayed area of the tooth black.
The healthy enamel of the tooth will remain white, but the cavity itself will darken as the silver actively neutralizes the bacteria. For this reason, SDF is most commonly recommended for cavities on the back molars, where the dark spot will not be easily visible when your child smiles. If a cavity is on a highly visible front tooth, our team will discuss alternative aesthetic options with you.
Gentle, Drill-Free Relief
If your child has a cavity and you are looking for a gentle, conservative approach to their care, Silver Diamine Fluoride may be the perfect solution. Schedule a consultation with our compassionate pediatric team today to see if your child is a candidate.
Visit us at one of our 3 convenient New York locations:
West Village: 474 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011 | 212-837-1833
Upper East Side: 1196 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 | 212-879-1845
Midtown West: 311 West 43rd St, Suite 405, New York, NY 10036 | 212-581-5050
"My favorite dentist office I’ve ever been to. The front desk staff is nice and capable. I never have to wait and the hygienist and dentist are fabulous."
