Got tooth cavity? Forget RCT, go for SDF in one sitting

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5 

With no need of root canal treatment (RCT) or bearing pain, one can treat cavity with new treatment of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in just one sitting.

In this trend, which is quite new in the region, the solution is applied on the affected part and the patient is treated in one go. With this those, who have cavity, do not need to go for the RCT, which is painful and takes a few sittings.

The SDF treatment also helps in cavity not getting passed on to other teeth. One can also get away from bearing pain through this trend. The new treatment has started in cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, however, the PGI is yet to introduce it in Chandigarh.

“The treatment is quite common in foreign countries and a lot of people get it done. It is being offered in Mumbai and Delhi. It saves one from pain and one also need not get the RCT done,” said Dr Tarun Walia, Associate Professor, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, who was at the PGI on Wednesday to deliver a lecture. 

Ashima Goyal, Professor, paediatric dentistry, PGI, told Chandigarh Tribune, “This treatment is not available at the PGI as there are no dealers for the SDF available here. Thus, it cannot be introduced in the hospital.”

Beware of acid intake

“If your child is taking even fresh or packed juice at frequent intervals, it may not be good for his teeth,” say experts.

Too much intake of sugar leads to acid, which damages teeth. “Anything sugar in solid or liquid form should not be taken more than three times. It means acid attack three times in a day,” said PGI’s Dr Ashima Goyal. 

“It is not easy to stop children from eating chocolates. If we consume some sweet or chocolate, we should consume at one go and not on regular intervals. It will be acid attack on the number of times you consume sugar,” said Dr Walia from Ajman University.