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Emerging from earlier case reports the potential benefits of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in addressing pathogenic biofilms and mitigating gingival inflammation and enlargement have sparked interest. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 38% SDF in reducing gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation in older adults living in retirement-homes. This 7-week randomized, controlled, double-blinded pilot trial employed a parallel assignment design. The study enrolled older adults (aged ≥65) residing in retirement homes in Dallas County, ultimately comprising a cohort of 40 participants who were evenly divided into two arms. The experimental group received SDF treatment, whereas the comparator group received a placebo. Over three consecutive weeks, both groups had solutions applied to the facial surfaces of all their teeth once per week. The primary outcomes measured the change in Löe-Silness Gingival Index (GI) and Silness-Löe Plaque Index (PI) at 7 weeks following baseline treatment. Repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to assess changes over time within each group (n=15 each). Post-hoc paired t-tests were conducted to compare changes between week 1 and each subsequent follow-up time point (weeks 3, 5, 7), supplemented with 95% confidence intervals for change from week 1. In the SDF group, within-group comparisons demonstrated significant reductions (adjusted p<.05) in GI scores within 3 weeks (-.93±.37), as opposed to week 1 (1.90±.39). Between-group comparisons unveiled reductions in both mean GI (p<.05) and PI (p<.05), indicating less gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation in the SDF group at all time points, commencing at week 3. This study showed that 38% SDF was effective in reducing gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation in older adults living in retirement-homes. Oral health in older adults is a public health concern, especially for the medically compromised or those without traditional care. Our findings offer hope for enhancing oral health quality of life by introducing a cost-effective, compliance-free, noninvasive, and accessible therapeutic. NCT03445286.(clinicaltrials.gov)
Noureldin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.