Observational Staining Properties of Silver Fluoride on Dental Materials

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the staining properties of silver fluoride on different dental materials.
Methods: Eighteen disks per dental material (1.00 ± 0.05 mm thick) were made using 15mm diameter stainless steel molds and placed in artificial saliva (modified Fusyama solution) at 37°C. There were 3 disks per treatment group with one group as the control. Tested surfaces included Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) (Riva Self-Cure, SDI Limited, Australia), Resin Modified GIC (RMGIC) (Riva Light-Cure, SDI Limited, Australia), Trial Material Cement (TMC), Composite (Com) (Aura Bulk Fill, SDI Limited, Australia) and Orthodontic Adhesive (Adh) (Transbond XT^®, 3M Unitek). After 24 hours, the disks were dried and treated with various treatments: SDF-A: Riva Star Part 1 (SDI Limited, Australia), SDF-A +KI: Riva Star Step 1 + Step 2, AgF: Trial Material, AgF+KI: Trial Material + Riva Star Step 2, and SDF-B: Advantage Arrest™ (elevate™ Oral Care). All treatments added per manufacturer instructions. Samples were returned to artificial saliva for 24 hours. After incubation, disks were exposed to ambient light for 2 hours at room temperature. Surfaces were wiped to remove extrinsic staining and color change assessed via photographic analysis using Cannon camera (EOS 5D Mark II).

Results: A reduction in staining was seen when KI was incorporated into treatments (SDF-A+KI, AgF+KI). SDF-A, AgF and SDF-B showed most intrinsic staining on GIC, RMGIC and TMC samples.
Conclusions: Intrinsic staining by silver fluoride on dental materials appeared to be reduced by addition of KI. This would prove useful to dentists hoping to use the benefits of silver fluoride on surfaces adjacent to these materials, but who are worried about aesthetics. Although the orthodontic adhesive and composite samples did not show any discoloration, clinically the use of KI could provide protection against staining of the patient’s mucosa by the silver fluoride.