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Effectiveness of nanosilver fluoride in arresting dental caries in children with one- year follow-up – a systematic review

Evidence-Based Dentistry (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of nanosilver fluoride in arresting dental caries in children, with one-year follow-up.

Methodology

Multiple databases were searched for RCTs (randomized controlled trials) according to specified inclusion-exclusion criteria. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis) reporting guidelines were followed to conduct the systematic review. Nanosilver fluoride was compared against silver diamine fluoride varnish or topical fluoride varnish or placebo. The primary outcome was effectiveness in arresting dental caries. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias.

Data sources

Articles were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Wiley Online, Proquest and Cinahl.

Data selection

The initial search yielded a total of 3660 hits. After deduplication, a total of 2507 articles were obtained. After screening the title and abstract, 11 studies were included. After the full-text screening, a total of three articles that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the analyses.

Data extraction and data synthesis

All the three studies were RCTs carried out in school children, and involved application of the material in primary teeth with a follow-up of one year.

Results

In two studies, nanosilver fluoride varnish group showed significantly higher arrest of dental caries compared to placebo group. In the study comparing nanosilver fluoride and silver diamine, both the groups showed arrest of dental caries and there was no significant difference between the groups. One study showed high risk of bias for allocation concealment.

Conclusion

The included studies in the final review effectively demonstrated the benefit of using nanosilver fluoride in the arrest of dental caries.

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Data availability

The data are available from the corresponding author on request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Dentistry, A.J Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

    Pooja J. Shetty & Prithvi Shetty

  2. Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

    Prasanna Mithra

  3. Health Minds Consulting Lmt, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Rasheed Minhaz

  4. Craddle Research Solutions, Kochi, Kerala, India

    Ambili Nanukuttan

Authors
  1. Pooja J. Shetty
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  4. Prithvi Shetty
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  5. Ambili Nanukuttan
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Contributions

PJS, PMP, RM, PS and AN, all made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the work. PMP, PJS, RM and PS worked on the Data Search, Study Selection and Data Collection. PJS, PMP, RM and AN collaborated on the data extraction and data analysis. PJS, PMP, RM and PS collaborated on Data Interpretation and drafted the work, and all authors revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pooja J. Shetty.

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Shetty, P.J., Mithra, P., Minhaz, R. et al. Effectiveness of nanosilver fluoride in arresting dental caries in children with one- year follow-up – a systematic review. Evid Based Dent (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-024-00995-8

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