New liquid method might have US dentists dropping the drill to fix your cavity

New liquid method might have US dentists dropping the drill to fix your cavity Tooth decay affects more than 40 percent of kids in the U.S. - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Could the future of cavity treatments be drill-less? Many people may avoid seeking treatment for dangerous tooth decay due to a fear of drills and other tools dentists use - but a dark-colored liquid could change that. Silver diamine fluoride, also known as “SDF,” is able to treat decaying teeth in just seconds time, without the drilling, shots or sedation, University of Michigan researchers said this week. “This is a very effective and safe treatment — even in children as young as one,” Margherita Fontana, a professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, explained in a statement. Applied to cavities - holes that form when a tooth’s protective enamel wears down - with a sponge-tipped applicator, SDF has been used successfully outside the U.S. for decades and off-label here since 2014. But trials needed for regulatory approval had not been carried out. Researchers hope that changes. “From a public health perspective, if we want broader implementation across the United States, including in medical settings, we need carefully collected data in U.S. populations, and we now have that,” Fontana said. Fontana led a trial of 830 children under six years old who were recruited through programs in Michigan, New York and Iowa. That trial showed that a 38 percent concentration of SDF was able to stop tooth decay in over half of affected baby teeth. The liquid was used in six-month intervals and spanned from October 2018 through April 2023. For children, the results show that SDF could be all that’s needed until a baby tooth falls out. For adults, it could serve as a bridge until other treatment is available. Cavities can form when people eat too much sugar or don’t care well enough for their teeth. Leaving cavities untreated can cause infections and heart disease, sending many children to the hospital. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting more than 40 percent of U.S. kids. “For almost anyone, this can arrest the decay and stop the infection and the pain it causes,” Fontana said. “This could benefit many people.” The trial results support approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Amr Moursi, a professor of pediatric dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry, said. Moursi was a co-author of the study. The treatment is fairly affordable, typically ranging from $20 to $75 per application, according to the Dental Clinics of Texas. But there is one drawback - the silver used in the liquid permanently darks the decayed portion of the impacted tooth. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments