New Review Finds Silver Diamine Fluoride Shows Promise for Rebuilding Tooth Enamel

The July 2026 cover story of the Journal of the American Dental Association features a systematic review examining whether silver diamine fluoride — a liquid compound applied directly to teeth — can rebuild, or remineralize, enamel and dentin that have been damaged by decay. The review specifically looked at its effects on primary teeth in children and young permanent teeth.

Researchers analyzed 29 studies, including laboratory investigations, randomized clinical trials, and combined in-vivo and in-vitro studies. They found that silver diamine fluoride compared favorably to several other remineralizing treatments, though they acknowledged a notable risk of bias in the lab-based studies.

Overall, the data pointed to silver diamine fluoride being effective at rebuilding both enamel and dentin, suggesting it could play a role in preventing or slowing cavity progression. The ADA has previously noted that any use of the compound requires diagnosis and ongoing monitoring by a dentist.

The authors were careful to note that high-quality clinical trials will still be needed to establish the right concentrations and application times before this approach becomes standard practice. In short, the early evidence is encouraging, but the science is not yet complete.