Aesthetic perception, acceptability and satisfaction in the treatment of caries lesions with silver diamine fluoride: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) causes dental black staining after its application.

Aim: Evaluate the aesthetic perception, acceptability, and/or satisfaction of patients, parents, and professionals to the treatment of caries lesions with SDF through a scoping review.

Design: A search was performed in seven databases and two key journals with no language or date restrictions. Studies that evaluated the aesthetic perception, satisfaction, and/or acceptability of patients, parents, and professionals to the treatment of carious lesions with SDF were considered eligible.

Results: From a total of 1177 articles, 10 studies were full text assessed for eligibility, with nine included in this scoping review. In general, the studies varied by population, study design, and methodologic evaluation. The type of tooth (anterior or posterior), family income, parental schooling, ethnicity, and need for advanced behaviour control methods were factors that influenced the results. The acceptability level increased as the child required more advanced methods of behaviour guidance. In general, the pigmentation caused by SDF did not interfere with the parents' acceptability of the treatment; however, professionals believe that this could have influence. Regarding satisfaction, pigmentation did not influence parental satisfaction.

Conclusion: Parents were satisfied with and found SDF acceptable, whereas professionals did not.

Keywords: aesthetics; patient acceptance of health care; patient satisfaction; silver diamine fluoride.