Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride application with atraumatic restorative treatment in arresting the progression of dental caries: a systematic review protocol

Objective:This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride application along with atraumatic restorative treatment in arresting the progression of dental caries when compared with other caries-arresting treatments in children and adults.Introduction:A combination of silver diamine fluoride with atraumatic restorative treatment is a minimally invasive and cost-effective method to treat dental caries. It offers a solution for the progression of caries and restoration of cavitated lesions in both primary and permanent teeth. A comprehensive summary of the evidence will assist dental clinicians and guide subsequent clinical research.Inclusion criteria:Randomized controlled trials involving human participants of any age with cavitated dental caries lesions will be included. The intervention arm will evaluate the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride application with atraumatic restorative treatment in dental caries arrest with a control arm of either atraumatic restorative treatment or silver diamine fluoride application; or composite restoration; or sodium fluoride varnish or a placebo; or a study group with no intervention.Methods:Systematic searches for relevant studies will be conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL, and Web of Science. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and Google Scholar will also be searched for gray literature. The databases will be searched from January 2016 to the present. No restrictions will be imposed on the country of publication. Data appraisal, extraction, and synthesis will follow JBI guidance for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system will be used to grade the certainty of evidence, and a Summary of Findings will be prepared.Review registration:PROSPERO CRD42023426766