An insight into the mechanism of action and uses of the mystery fluid-silver diammine fluoride

Despite numerous advances in dentistry over the past few decades, dental caries remains one of the most widespread diseases worldwide. Children from lower socio-economic classes or those with special needs are often affected and generally lack access to conventional restorative dental care. The caries management ideology has thus shifted from typical restorative treatment to arresting dental decay using fluoride therapies to provide more inclusive care. Silver diamine fluoride can arrest dental caries and prevent its progression. Although silver diamine fluoride had been used as a caries preventive measure in 1970s in Japan, it had not become popular in the other part of the world. Now, many countries have recommended the use of 38% silver diamine fluoride solution for caries prevention as well as for caries arrest.