What is the new treatment for cavities in Goodyear, Arizona?
Get to Know Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): A Safe and Gentle Way to Treat Cavities in Goodyear, Arizona
How to fix a cavity without a filling? Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an antimicrobial liquid used to treat cavities in a non-invasive, quick, affordable, and pain-free way. For some patients with active tooth decay, SDF may be a great alternative to traditional fillings.
Approved by the FDA in August 2014 and made available to dental professionals in 2015 under the name Advantage Arrest, SDF offers a comfortable option compared to traditional methods.
Can a dentist fix a cavity without drilling?
Definitely! Unlike fillings that often require numbing shots and drilling, SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride) is simply painted onto the cavity to slow or stop decay — and help prevent future cavities.
A Treatment Rooted in History: What Kills Cavities in Teeth?
Using silver to treat tooth decay is not new. Records of silver use date back to the 1800s, and Japan has used SDF for over 50 years. G.V. Black, known as the “Father of Modern Dentistry,” used silver nitrate regularly for treating children’s cavities. This approach faded in the U.S. around the 1950s as pain control methods improved and fluoride toothpaste and water became widespread.
Childhood Tooth Decay in Goodyear, Arizona: Why Pediatric Dentists Stress Early Care
Tooth decay is still the most common childhood disease — five times more prevalent than asthma. A mix of sugary snacks, acidic drinks, limited access to fluoride, and delayed dental care has led to widespread decay. In Arizona, nearly one-third of children have a cavity by age 3, and over half by kindergarten.
How do you make a cavity stop hurting for kids?
This growing concern has prompted many dental professionals to revisit SDF as a solution. Programs like Oregon’s Medicaid system and researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have helped reintroduce it as a safe and effective option.
SDF is especially useful for:
- Young children who are anxious or not yet cooperative
- Patients with special needs in Goodyear, Arizona
- Medically fragile individuals who may not tolerate traditional procedures
- Children who are not yet old or heavy enough for sedation
- Partially erupted teeth that are difficult to treat with traditional fillings
Benefits of SDF:
- Very low toxicity
- Fast and simple to apply
- Painless and non-invasive
- Affordable
- Helps stop decay and prevent future cavities
Things to Consider
- SDF permanently stains decayed areas black
- It does not restore the tooth’s shape or function — large cavities may still need fillings or crowns
- Repeat applications are needed for best results
- It is less effective for cavities between teeth (interproximal decay)
- It cannot be used if there is an infection or decay that has reached the tooth’s nerve
- Diet and oral hygiene must improve to prevent further decay