Silver Diamine Fluoride Stops Cavities in Children

A Phase III trial found the treatment halted more tooth decay than a placebo in children with severe early childhood cavities.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diabetes

Silver Diamine Fluoride Stops Cavities in Children

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Would you be comfortable with your child getting a quick, non-drilling cavity treatment?

A Phase III clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Michigan and published in JAMA Pediatrics found silver diamine fluoride stopped more cavities in children than a placebo. The results may support an application seeking FDA approval for stopping tooth decay.

Why it matters

Early childhood tooth decay is common and can be difficult to treat, and the trial offers data on a non-invasive option applied directly to cavities. Wider adoption could eventually help more children receive treatment earlier.

The Phase III trial enrolled 830 children and tested a 38% silver diamine fluoride solution against a placebo, with 22.9% of treated participants and 22.2% of placebo participants reporting adverse events. The study did not report whether the cavity-stopping effect persists beyond the eight-month assessment.

The players

University of Michigan

A public research university whose researchers led the Phase III silver diamine fluoride trial in children with early childhood tooth decay.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

A component of the National Institutes of Health that provided more than $12 million in funding for the study.

The details

Silver diamine fluoride is applied directly to a cavity with a small, sponge-tipped applicator, and silver helps combat bacteria associated with tooth decay while fluoride strengthens tooth minerals. The study found no significant difference in reported tooth pain between treatment and placebo groups.

2014: The FDA cleared silver diamine fluoride for treating tooth sensitivity.
Start of study: Initial silver diamine fluoride or placebo application.
Three months: First trial assessment of cavity progression.
Six months: Second application and primary endpoint assessment.
Eight months: Final trial assessment after second application.

Health Landscape

The 2014 FDA clearance of silver diamine fluoride was limited to treating tooth sensitivity, so this trial's cavity-stopping results may extend the product's regulatory scope. The findings add Phase III evidence to a treatment class that has been used in dentistry without broad approval for decay arrest.

Parents of young children with early tooth decay may eventually have access to a non-invasive, sponge-applied treatment if regulators approve broader use. The study found treatment-related adverse events occurred at similar rates to placebo, so families would weigh the cavity-stopping benefit against routine dental visits.

The takeaway

Non-invasive options that halt early cavities could reduce the need for more invasive dental procedures in young children. Parents should continue regular dental checkups to monitor their child's oral health.