Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride as a Treatment for Caries in Comparison to Traditional Restorative Techniques

University of Michigan98 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to compare standard fillings and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for treatment of cavities in baby teeth. The investigators will compare the effectiveness of stopping the cavity, cost of the treatments and the opinions of the families and the dental providers.

To determine the effectiveness of the application of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in comparison to conventional restorative treatments in International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria (ICDAS) 5 and 6, one and two surface carious lesions in primary molars which will be assessed based on major and minor failure criteria when followed for one year. Additionally, parents'/children's and providers' perceptions will be assessed as well as the cost of both regimens, to include both chair time spent and materials' costs.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Caries

Interventions

Silver Diamine FluorideDEVICE

No caries removal will take place. The tooth will be dried and Silver Diamine Fluoride will be placed on the carious dentin until saturated. Excess will be blotted dry with a cotton pellet.

Conventional Caries ManagementPROCEDURE

These children will receive restorative dental care in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, within the confines of the Mott Children's Health Center clinic. This treatment typically includes administration of local anesthesia, placement of rubber dam, caries removal with rotary and hand instruments, and placement of a final restoration.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 2 YearsMax age: 10 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Presence of at least one active (soft) cavitated carious lesions in the primary dentition, extending into dentin (ICDAS 5 or 6) * The selected tooth must have a one or two surface lesion (more than 1/3 of the crown of the tooth must be remaining) and must allow for direct application of SDF * Study teeth will not have any spontaneous or elicited pain due to caries, tooth mobility, or signs of pulpal infection * Selected primary teeth must have an anticipated exfoliation date greater than 12 months away Exclusion Criteria: * Hereditary developmental defects such as Amelogenesis Imperfecta and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta * Severe medical conditions that do not allow the child to be managed in the clinic * Known allergy /sensitivity to dental materials being used, including SDF * Inability of the child to cooperate for treatment, recall examinations, or periapical radiographs * Wards of the State, for consenting reasons

Locations (2)

University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Mott Children's Health Center

Flint, Michigan, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Caries Arrest of Teeth in the SDF Group Measured by Change in Size

Number of participants in the SDF arm that had an increase in lesion size at any point in the 12 months of the trial, as this is a treatment failure. Treatment failures were assessed throughout the 12 month duration of the trial, and children with treatment failures were then removed from the trial for further clinical treatment.

Time frame: 12 Months

Caries Arrest of Teeth in the SDF Group Measured by Dentin Color (Yellow, Brown, Black)

Color of the cavity at the end of the trial

Time frame: 12 Months

Caries Arrest of Teeth in the SDF Group Measured by Dentin Texture (Soft, Hard)

Texture of the cavity's dentin of soft means the cavity is still an active infection. If the cavity is hard, the cavity is no longer an active infection (has been arrested). Please note dentin texture cannot be assessed for the Conventional group as the dentin is no longer accessible following baseline treatment.

Time frame: 12 Months

Restoration Integrity for Teeth in Control Group (Secondary Caries, Lost Restoration, Restoration Needing Repair)

Secondary caries, lost restorations, or restorations needing repair are treatment failures. Treatment failures were assessed throughout the 12 month duration of the trial, and children with treatment failures were removed from the trial for further clinical treatment.

Time frame: 12 Months

Signs of Pulpal Pathology (Lesion Reaching the Pulp Requiring Pulpular Treatment-pulpotomy and/or Pulpectomy-, Reversible Pulpitis, Irreversible Pulpitis, Abscess)

Signs of pulpal pathology are treatment failures. Treatment failures were assessed throughout the 12 month duration of the trial, and children with treatment failures were removed from the trial for further clinical treatment.

Time frame: 12 Months

Secondary Outcomes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Number of Providers Who Find Treatment With SDF More Favorable in Time for Treatment (More, Same, Less)

Data collected at baseline only.

Time frame: Baseline

Number of Providers Who Find Treatment With SDF More Favorable in Ease of Treatment (Easier, Harder, Same Difficulty)

Time frame: Baseline

Number of Providers Who Find Treatment With SDF More Favorable in Preference of Treatment Modality (More Preferable, no Preference, Less Preferable)

Time frame: Baseline

Parent Assessment of Appearance of Child's Teeth

Parents were asked "Are you concerned with the appearance of your child's teeth?"

Time frame: 12 Months

Parent Assessment of Treatment Provided

Parents were asked "If your child had another cavity, would you be willing to have that tooth treated with the same treatment option provided to your child in this study?"

Time frame: 12 Months

Child Assessment of Appearance of Teeth (Very Happy, Not Happy or Sad, Very Sad)

Time frame: 12 Months

Child Assessment of Experience During Dental Visit (Didn't Hurt, Hurt a Little, Hurt a Lot)

Time frame: 12 Months

Costs of Treatment (Dollars)

Cost of one application of SDF and one 1-2 surface conventional restoration. Cost was calculated by taking the average Medicaid reimbursement across all U.S. states.

Time frame: Baseline

Time of Treatment Procedures (Duration of Time in Minutes)

Time frame: Baseline