EFFECT OF LIGHT CURING ON THE PENETRATION DEPTH OF SLIVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE IN DENTIN OF CARIOUS PRIMARY TEETH (IN VITRO STUDY)

Background: Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is introduced as a light-sensitive antibacterial and anti-caries agent that demonstrates efficacy in halting the progression of caries. This study was designed to investigate how dental light curing influences the extent of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) penetration, dentin hardness, and the deposition of silver and fluoride ions within the dentin of decayed primary molars. Methods: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was administered to 24 carious primary molars with deep carious lesions not reaching the pulp. These teeth were categorized into two groups: (1) the control group, which was not subjected to light-curing, and (2) the test group, which was subjected to light-curing. The evaluation of penetration depth and ion precipitation was conducted using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), while dentin hardness in sound dentin was assessed through the Vickers hardness test. Results: In both sets of samples, SDF exhibited penetration extending beyond the carious lesion and into healthy dentin. However, the depth of penetration into sound dentin was greater in the control group when contrasted with the test group. The presence of silver ions precipitated in infected dentin was more pronounced when exposed to dental curing light compared to the control group. Dentin hardness of sound dentin was higher in the test group than in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in fluoride ions precipitation between both groups (P =0.124).