Assessment of Penetration Depth of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Synthetic Dental Minerals

Dental caries is a prevalent global health issue characterized by the progressive demineralization of dental tissues, which occurs when the balance between demineralization and remineralization processes is disrupted at the tooth level. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has gained recognition for its ability to arrest caries. However, its interaction with mineralized tissues remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the chemical interactions between SDF and mineralized bioceramics, using hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) as analogs for enamel and dentin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to identify functional groups and quantify elemental compositions at varying depths. FTIR analysis revealed structural modifications in HA and β-TCP. XPS demonstrated high retention of fluoride, with limited penetration into deeper layers, while silver exhibited deeper penetration. These findings suggest that SDF primarily acts on superficial layers, forming calcium fluoride and silver phosphate as key reaction products. These findings highlight the potential of SDF in managing deep carious lesions by demonstrating its ability to form a protective CaF2 layer at the surface while allowing deeper penetration of silver ions into mineralized tissues. This dual mechanism may contribute to SDF’s clinical efficacy in arresting caries and preventing further demineralization.