Pharmacokinetics of 38% topical silver diamine fluoride in healthy adult volunteers

Background

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is used topically to prevent or arrest caries. The authors' aim was to characterize the kinetics of silver and fluoride after topical application of SDF.

Methods

Sixteen adults participated in a pharmacokinetics study after the application of 38% SDF to 5 teeth (approximately 50 microliters, estimated 4-11 milligrams per participant). Serum and urine samples were collected over 24 hours after application and were analyzed for silver and fluoride.

Results

Silver serum peak was 0.67 (standard deviation SD], 0.49) nanograms per milliliter; median time to peak was 3 hours. The estimated elimination half-life of silver was 46 (SD, 26) hours. No silver was recovered in urine. Baseline fluoride serum levels ranged from less than 10 through 50 ng/mL (< 0.01-0.05 parts per million) and fluctuated around baseline after SDF. The 24-hour urinary fluoride was 1.29 (SD, 0.81) mg.

Conclusions

SDF was well tolerated in this study, and no adverse events related to SDF were reported.

Practical Implications

This clinical study confirmed that topical application of 38% SDF, in growing use in the United States, is safe and well tolerated in healthy adults.