Root carious lesions arrest · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces)
One review reported SDF may reduce progression of root caries, with no numeric result (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
One systematic review found that SDF can be efficacious to decrease progression of root carious lesions (no numeric results reported) [24].
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevented Fraction 100–725
2 studies
GRADE not reported
One low risk of bias systematic review reported that 38% SDF was significantly more effective than placebo in arresting root carious lesions (pooled results were not calculated) [31].
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with dental caries in permanent (first) molars
One review reported a 100% prevented fraction for 38% SDF for arresting coronal caries in permanent first molars (one study; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Prevented Fraction 100
1 study
GRADE not reported
Root carious lesions prevention · Older adults with root carious lesions (exposed root surfaces)
38% silver diamine fluoride reduced root-caries increment (DMFRS/DFRS) versus placebo, MD −0.33 (95% CI −0.39 to −0.28) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition)
One review reported prevented fractions of 55 to 96% favouring 38% SDF over fluoride varnish or placebo for arresting coronal caries in primary teeth (two studies; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Prevented Fraction 55–96
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition)
One review reported a risk ratio of 2.54 favouring SDF over placebo/no treatment for arresting coronal caries in primary teeth (no CI; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
RR 2.54
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Coronal carious lesions arrest · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition)
Across three reviews, 38% SDF arrested 65 to 91% of coronal lesions in primary teeth, outperforming fluoride varnish (38 to 44%), glass ionomer cement (39 to 82%), and placebo (34%) (ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Arrest rate 65–91
6 studies
GRADE not reported
Coronal carious lesions prevention · Children with coronal carious lesions (primary dentition)
Reported prevented fractions for 38% SDF versus placebo for coronal-caries prevention in primary teeth ranged 70 to 78% (two reviews, two studies; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Prevented Fraction 70–78
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Coronal carious lesions prevention · Children with dental caries in permanent (first) molars
One review reported a 64% prevented fraction for 38% SDF versus placebo for preventing coronal caries in permanent first molars (one study; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Prevented Fraction 64
1 study
GRADE not reported
Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition)
Compared with other caries-management methods, SDF may increase caries arrestment at the individual level, but the pooled estimate is very imprecise (low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition)
Pooling two trials, SDF markedly increased individual-level caries arrestment versus placebo (OR 18.10; ungraded subgroup).
1 finding from 1 review
Adverse effects (tooth staining and other side effects) · Children and adults with active dental caries (aged 1-50; mostly preschool/school children with primary dentition)
SDF commonly causes black staining of arrested lesions; only mild, transient adverse events were reported, with no major adverse events (ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review