Comparative evaluation of demineralizing resistance over deciduous teeth enamel using silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish

Aim: Dental caries pose a significant concern among pediatric populations and can substantially impact a child’s overall health. The application of topical fluoride in different forms has been an accurate strategy for combating decay on a global scale. The work done here aims to compare the outcomes of using topical fluoride therapy and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on deciduous tooth enamel. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 nondecayed anterior deciduous teeth were collected from patients undergoing tooth extraction due to exfoliation or retained deciduous teeth. Following crown removal using diamond disks, the enamel samples were affixed to acrylic blocks, exposing the buccal (outer) surface. Baseline surface microhardness measurements were acquired for all enamel samples. The specimens were then randomly assigned to three groups, each comprising twenty samples: the control group (C) treated with distilled and deionized water, the fluoridated varnish group (V) treated with fluoride varnish, and the SDF group treated with SDF solution. Subsequent to exposure to pH-cycling solutions, microhardness measurements were taken again to evaluate changes in enamel hardness. Results: The group treated with fluoride varnish exhibited the highest mean enamel microhardness, measuring 251.80 ± 56.10. The SDF group displayed a mean enamel microhardness of 226.75 ± 60.25, while the control group (treated with distilled and deionized water) showcased the lowest mean enamel microhardness of 207.75 ± 35.19. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study determined that the fluoride varnish group demonstrated a more effective resistance to enamel demineralization compared to the SDF group. These findings suggest that topical fluoride therapy in the form of varnish is more successful in preventing dental caries in deciduous tooth enamel when compared to treatment with SDF.