263 - Evaluation of Silver Diamine Fluoride Application prior to General Anesthesia

Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective data analysis was to evaluate the difference in clinical outcomes for teeth that had 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) applied as an interim treatment prior to comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) compared to teeth that did not receive an application of SDF prior to GA in patients with early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: Children younger than 6 years old who received comprehensive dental treatment completed at Denver Health Medical Center from July 2021 through June 2024 were included in the study. Clinical outcomes of the SDF and non-SDF groups were evaluated based on whether carious dentition was able to be restored or required extraction.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups when evaluating the number of combined restorations and extractions (P = 0.7266). Patients treated with SDF had significantly fewer extractions, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.711 indicating approximately a 29% reduction compared to untreated patients (P = 0.0043). Patients treated with SDF had significantly fewer extractions of untreated teeth (without SDF application) with an IRR of 0.312 indicating approximately a 69% reduction compared to patients not treated with SDF.

Conclusion: SDF treatment to carious teeth prior to comprehensive dental treatment under GA is associated with a significant reduction in the number of dental extractions required. There was no statistically significant effect observed on the number of extractions or the combined count of restorations and extractions.

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