Dentin Staining Caused by Nano-silver Fluoride: A Comparative Study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dentin staining potential of nano-silver fluoride (NSF 600 and 1500 ppm) compared with the following commercially available cariostatic agents: Advantage Arrest (Elevate Oral Care, West Palm Beach, FL, USA), Riva Star (SDI, Victoria, Australia), and Cariestop (Biodinamica, Parana, Brazil). Seventy-five extracted human molars were sectioned at the cementoenamel junction, and the occlusal enamel was removed for exposure of coronary dentin. The samples were divided among the five agents tested (n=15). The dentin staining (Delta E/AL) was analyzed with a digital spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade, VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany) at three different time points (before application, after two weeks, and after four weeks). Photographic images were also performed. The KruskalWallis and Mann-Whitney tests compared the mean Delta E and Delta L values between groups. The NSF 600 and 1500 ppm resulted in the smallest color change (Delta E=1.02 and 1.53) and dentin staining after four weeks (Delta L=-0.76 and -1.2). The new formulations differed significantly from the commercial cariostatic agents (p<0.001). NSF might be an alternative to silver diamine fluoride since it does not compromise esthetics.