
29/04/2025
🦷 Can we avoid general anesthesia for early childhood caries?
Yes—sometimes, we can.
In my practice, when young kids come in with deep cavities (dentinal caries), I always try to explore non-invasive options first—especially for parents who wish to avoid general anesthesia.
One such option is e-SDF (silver diamine fluoride) from .
Yes, it may turn the decayed part of the tooth black temporarily… but it can slow down the decay significantly—giving the child more time to grow, cooperate better, and later undergo aesthetic treatment if needed.
🖤 It's a trade-off: aesthetics vs. avoiding GA.
In selected cases, with proper home care and regular follow-ups, e-SDF can be a game-changer.
Not taking away from the importance of GA in full-mouth rehab—it gives reliable and aesthetic results quickly—but if parents are open to the idea, e-SDF is worth discussing.