Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Local Anesthesia in Hypomineralized Molars

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is defined as a qualitative enamel defect of unknown etiology that affects one or more permanent molars and may also affect the permanent incisors. Clinically, the presentation of MIH depends on severity: lesions can range from mild, with white to yellow-brown discolored opacities, to severe, with extensive post-eruptive enamel breakdown and atypical caries. Hypomineralized enamel has increased porosity with reduced mineral content, which promotes bacteria penetration, resulting in development and rapid progression of dental caries and subclinical chronic pulp inflammation.

Treatment of teeth affected by MIH pose a clinical challenge due to several reasons. Post-eruptive breakdown of inadequately formed enamel exposes underlying dentin, resulting in hypersensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, air, and water. This increased tooth sensitivity leads to poor oral hygiene and subsequent plaque retention. Additionally, chronic subclinical inflammation of the pulp hypersensitizes the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the pulp nerve tissue and reduces the pain threshold in these teeth. This weakens the action of local anesthetics making it difficult to achieve adequate pain control during dental treatment.

Recently, 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF), a solution of silver fluoride and ammonium ions, has been shown to be effective in tooth desensitization by blocking dentinal tubules and promoting remineralization of demineralized tooth structure. SDF can be useful in managing symptomatic MIH-affected teeth by stimulating the production of calcium fluoride and silver iodide, both of which are able to occlude dentinal tubules and reduce their patency.

The purpose of this randomized, controlled clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy of local anesthesia on MIH-affected molars treated with 38% SDF. The goal is to determine if pre-operative application of SDF results in improved local anesthesia and decrease in procedural pain in MIH affected teeth, thereby addressing an important challenge in routine clinical practice and contributing to the development of a treatment protocol for MIH affected molars.

Inclusion criteria

• At least one hypomineralized first permanent molar with a primary cavitated caries lesion(s) or a cavitated tooth defect requiring restorative dental care with local anesthesia
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification I or II (healthy children or those with mild systemic disease)
• English speaking
• Subjects for which basic behavior guidance (non-pharmacological or nitrous oxide/oxygen) is indicated

Exclusion criteria

• Teeth with irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis
• Patients requiring advanced behavior management such as moderate sedation, general anesthesia, and/or active or passive restraint
• Inability of the child to cooperate due to special needs or other conditions
• Allergy to SDF, local anesthetic or other material component
• Subjects with ulcerative gingivitis or stomatitis
• Subjects with known sensitivity to silver or other heavy-metal ions
• Subjects showing abnormal skin sensitization in daily circumstances