Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF, is a safe, painless liquid that can stop tooth decay from getting worse, often with no numbing and no drilling. It’s one of the most patient-friendly advances in modern preventive dentistry, and every member of our clinical team at Crosswoods Dental is certified to provide it, right here in our Worthington office, serving patients from Lewis Center, Polaris, Westerville, Powell, and throughout the Columbus area.
What Is SDF?
SDF is a liquid made mostly of silver and fluoride. When we brush a tiny amount onto a cavity, the silver kills the bacteria causing the decay, and the fluoride helps harden and remineralize the tooth. The result: an active cavity is arrested, essentially paused, so it stops spreading.
We use Advantage Arrest®, an FDA-regulated silver diamine fluoride, applied by our trained professionals right here in the office.
One Thing to Know: The Dark Stain
SDF works by hardening the decayed area, and in doing so, it turns the treated cavity dark, usually black. It only stains the decay itself, not the healthy part of your tooth, but the darkened spot is permanent unless it’s later covered by a filling or crown. For a back tooth or a baby tooth that will fall out, most patients happily trade a dark spot for avoiding a shot and a drill. We’ll always talk through where it will and won’t be visible before we begin.
Why Patients Love It
- No drilling, no needles, no numbing in most cases
- Fast; application takes just a couple of minutes
- Painless and gentle, even for the most anxious patients
- Kills the bacteria that cause decay and eases tooth sensitivity
- Buys time; it can hold decay in check until a permanent filling or crown is the right choice, or serve as long-term management when other treatment isn’t ideal
Is SDF Right for You (or Your Child)?
SDF is an excellent option for young children who aren’t ready to sit through traditional fillings, anxious or fearful patients who want to avoid drilling, patients with several cavities who need to stabilize and prioritize care, older adults and those with root-surface cavities or dry mouth, patients with special needs or medical conditions that make traditional treatment difficult, and hard-to-reach areas where a conventional filling is challenging. It isn’t the right fit for every situation, for example, cavities that have reached the nerve or front teeth where appearance is a priority. At your visit, we’ll examine your teeth and help you decide whether SDF, a filling, or another option makes the most sense.
Freqeuently Asked Questions
Is there a dentist near me who offers SDF in Worthington, OH?
Yes , Crosswoods Dental’s entire clinical team is certified to provide Silver Diamine Fluoride, right here in Worthington, conveniently located for patients from Lewis Center, Polaris, Westerville, Powell, and the greater Columbus area.
Can I really stop a cavity without drilling?
In many cases, yes. SDF stops active decay from spreading by killing the bacteria causing it and hardening the tooth surface, often with no drilling, needles, or numbing required
Does SDF hurt or require anesthesia?
No. SDF is applied as a simple brush-on liquid and is painless for most patients; that’s part of why it’s such a popular option for children and anxious patients alike.
Will SDF leave a permanent stain on my tooth?
Yes, the treated area of decay will turn dark, usually black, and this stain is permanent unless later covered by a filling or crown. It only affects the decayed portion, not healthy tooth structure
Is SDF a good option for my child's cavity?
Often, yes. SDF is especially popular for young children who aren’t ready to sit through a traditional filling, and for baby teeth that will eventually fall out on their own.
How long does an SDF treatment take?
The application itself takes just a couple of minutes, making it one of the fastest cavity treatments we offer.
Ready to Learn More?
If you or your child has a cavity you’d rather not drill, ask us whether Silver Diamine Fluoride is an option.