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Preventive

47 - Effects of SDF Treatment on Oral Biofilm in Pediatric Patients

Friday, May 22, 2026
11:20 AM - 11:35 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Jamilla L. Monegain, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    Azusa, California, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AN

    Alyssa Nowlen, DDS

    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • CC

    Casey Chen, DDS

    Professor and Associate Dean of Applied Biomedical & Clinical Sciences Co-Chair
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AA

    Alexander Alcaraz, Pediatric Dentistry

    Program Director
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    Los Angeles, California, United States

Abstract:

Purpose:
This study evaluates the effects of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) on oral biofilm composition in primary teeth with caries. Specifically, it examines whether repeated SDF applications suppress cariogenic taxa and promote stabilization of a non-cariogenic microbial ecosystem over time.

Methods:
This prospective pilot study includes sixteen pediatric participants aged 2–13 years with untreated carious lesions (ICDAS ≥2) treated at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Pediatric Dental Clinic. Plaque samples are collected from carious and non-carious teeth at three time points: before the first SDF application, prior to the second application, and following completion of the second application. At the time of reporting, ten participants completed two study visits and four completed all three. Bacterial DNA extracted from all samples will undergo 16S rRNA sequencing to assess changes in microbial composition.

Results:
Dominant taxa (≥1% relative abundance) shifted following repeated SDF treatment in both caries and non-caries sites. By Visit 3, communities showed increased Rothia, Neisseria, and Haemophilus and reduced Streptococcus, indicating biofilm restructuring. Overall, SDF was associated with community reorganization without enrichment of cariogenic genera or loss of microbial diversity.

Conclusion:
By characterizing longitudinal microbiological changes associated with repeated SDF therapy, this study aims to clarify its effects beyond caries arrest, including suppression of cariogenic taxa and stabilization of a non-cariogenic oral biofilm, thereby informing more precise, biologically guided, patient-specific treatment strategies and recall intervals.

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