Is silver nitrate good for kids?
You may be wondering, is silver nitrate good for kids? Is it an option if your child has a cavity? Silver Nitrate or Silver Diamine fluoride has been approved by the FDA to be used by pediatric dentist for children’s cavities.
What is Silver Nitrate?
Silver Nitrate is a liquid that your pediatric dentist applies to your child’s cavity. It gets brushed onto the cavity without needing a dental drill or local anesthetic. The silver kills the germs that cause tooth decay, it also has fluoride which helps to prevent, slow down or stop the tooth decay.
Are there any side effects to Silver Nitrate?
The treatment has been found to be successful. The only side effect is aesthetically, since it discolors the tooth with a brownish/black staining. Despite the staining it is safe to use and does not stain the untreated, healthy surfaces of the tooth, including any surrounding teeth and/or permanent teeth.
- It will stain the cavity BLACK.
- It will not stain healthy tooth structure.
- It can temporarily stain skin, gums, and lips if it encounters these areas.
Your child should NOT be treated with silver nitrate/silver diamine fluoride if they have an allergy to Silver.
The staining will not fade over time, although the treated decay can be treated later with a filling if needed.
How often does it need to be applied?
Follow up visits are highly recommended. Your pediatric dentist will recommend a 2-week re-application and to be preventive they may also recommend cleanings every 3 months.
Benefits of Silver Nitrate
- Easy for the pediatric dentist to apply
- Less expensive than a filling
- Pain free, no sedation or local anesthesia needed
- Helpful in treating small cavities in young children and/or patients with mental or physical difficulties who may have a hard time sitting during longer dental procedures
SILVER NITRATE CAN BE APPLIED BY A PEDIATRIC DENTIST OVER TOOTH DECAY WITHOUT NEEDING A DENTAL DRILL OR LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Does your child have a cavity and you’re wondering if Silver Nitrate is an option? Call us to schedule an appointment!
Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today: (702)586-4347
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