Silver diamine fluoride (cavity-stopping liquid)
A typical case, in 7 steps over 2 visits. Typically a metallic taste is gone by the next day, and a stain on the gums or lips goes away in 1 to 3 weeks. Every step names its source.
Not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. Every step names its source.
Silver diamine fluoride (cavity-stopping liquid) · Visit 1
Deciding if it fits
Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid medicine used to treat cavities. It is a quick way to help stop or slow down a cavity, and a child's doctor or dentist can provide it.
Source: aap.org
Steps in a typical case
Deciding if it fits
Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid medicine used to treat cavities. It is a quick way to help stop or slow down a cavity, and a child's doctor or dentist can provide it.
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No numbing needed
It can be used without shots (local anesthetic), sedation or general anesthesia, and without drilling.
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Putting it on
A small amount of the liquid is placed on the cavity.
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Letting it soak in
The medicine is left for 10 to 60 seconds to absorb into the tooth.
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Wiping off the extra
The remaining liquid is removed with gauze or a cotton roll. The whole application is quick and takes just a few minutes.
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Afterward
The cavity is stained black for good, and on a baby tooth this lasts until the tooth falls out. A brown or white stain on the gums or lips goes away in 1 to 3 weeks. A metallic taste usually goes away by the next day.
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Follow-up
The child's doctor schedules a follow-up about 3 months after treatment to check how it worked. It may be applied again, and sometimes the tooth needs a filling, a crown or removal.
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Typical trade-offs
| Visits | Typically 1 quick visit of a few minutes, with a follow-up visit about 3 months later. Source 1 |
|---|---|
| Time to final result | Typically a metallic taste is gone by the next day, and a stain on the gums or lips goes away in 1 to 3 weeks. Source 1 |
| How long it lasts | Typically applied again every 3, 6 or 12 months for best results. Source 1 |
| Upkeep | Typical upkeep: regular care from a dentist and the follow-up visits the doctor schedules. Source 1 |
Figures for a typical case from the sources below. A dentist can say how a given case differs.
Questions to ask your dentist
- The typical case takes 2 visits. How many would I need, and what happens at each one?
- What are my other options, including waiting, and what happens if I wait?
- How long does it usually last in a case like mine, and what upkeep will it need?
- Will it hurt, and what can I eat or do while it heals?
- What will it cost me, and will my insurance cover it? Ask which billing codes apply (the typical case uses D1354).
- How many of these have you done, and who would do mine?
Sources
- Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) FAQ for families. American Academy of Pediatrics. www.aap.org/en/patient-care/silver-diamine-fluoride-application-in-the-pediatric-medical-setting/silver-diamine-fluoride-frequently-asked-questions-for-families. Accessed November 14, 2026.
Osler Press procedure library, version 2026.11.0. Billing codes for the typical case: D1354.