preventive dentistryDentist Silverlake LA
Stop problems before they start.
The best dental treatment is the one you never need. At Silverlake Dental Group, preventive dentistry goes far beyond cleanings and X-rays. We use the latest minimally invasive technologies — including Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Curodont remineralization therapy — to stop decay in its tracks, protect vulnerable teeth, and help our patients keep more of their natural tooth structure for life. For patients who want to minimize drilling, avoid fillings, and take a proactive approach to their oral health, this page is for you.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy and catch — or reverse — problems before they require invasive treatment. It includes everything from your regular cleanings and exams to fluoride treatments, sealants, and the advanced remineralization therapies we offer that most dental offices don’t.
The philosophy is simple: enamel that’s never been drilled is stronger than enamel that has been. Every filling, every crown, every root canal represents a tooth that needed more intervention than it would have if the problem had been caught and addressed earlier. Our goal is to keep that number as low as possible for every patient we see.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
What it is: Silver Diamine Fluoride is an FDA-cleared antimicrobial liquid that stops active tooth decay in its tracks — without drilling, without anesthesia, and without removing any tooth structure. It works through two simultaneous mechanisms: the silver component kills the bacteria causing the decay, and the fluoride component remineralizes and hardens the softened tooth structure, effectively arresting the cavity where it is.
SDF has been used in dentistry for decades in other countries and received FDA clearance in the United States in 2014. It is now widely recognized as one of the most significant advances in minimally invasive dentistry, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate conventional treatment or for whom preserving tooth structure is the highest priority.
How it works: A small amount of SDF liquid is applied directly to the affected tooth surface using a microbrush. The procedure takes only a minute or two per tooth, requires no injections, no drilling, and no recovery time. The decay is arrested — meaning the active bacterial process is stopped and the softened dentin hardens — though the treated area typically turns black, which is the silver reacting with the decay.
Who benefits most from SDF:
- Young children with early childhood cavities who are not yet able to cooperate with conventional filling procedures — SDF can arrest decay and buy time until the child is ready for restorative treatment or until the baby tooth falls out naturally
- Patients with dental anxiety who want to avoid drilling, especially for smaller cavities that can be monitored rather than immediately restored
- Elderly patients or medically complex patients for whom extensive dental procedures carry higher risk
- Patients with multiple cavities who need a cost-effective way to arrest decay on several teeth while prioritizing which teeth to restore first
- Patients with root surface cavities — exposed root surfaces due to gum recession are extremely vulnerable to decay, and SDF provides powerful protection for these areas
- Special needs patients who have difficulty tolerating traditional dental treatment
Important to know: SDF arrests decay — it does not restore the tooth. A tooth treated with SDF will still eventually need a filling or other restoration to replace the missing tooth structure and restore full function and aesthetics. However, arresting the decay first stops it from progressing deeper, which often means a simpler restoration is needed when treatment does happen. The black discoloration of treated areas is permanent, making SDF most appropriate for back teeth or areas not visible when smiling — or in cases where avoiding treatment risk outweighs cosmetic concerns.
Curodont Remineralization Therapy
What it is: Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus is a next-generation remineralization therapy that uses a patented self-assembling peptide technology (P11-4) to actively regenerate enamel from within early cavity lesions — reversing decay at its earliest stage before it becomes a hole in the tooth.
Unlike fluoride, which remineralizes the surface of enamel, Curodont’s peptide matrix penetrates into the subsurface of the lesion where early decay is actually occurring. Once inside, the peptides self-assemble into a scaffold that attracts calcium and phosphate ions — the building blocks of enamel — and guides the regeneration of new hydroxyapatite crystals, effectively rebuilding the tooth from the inside out.
How it works: After a professional cleaning and preparation of the tooth surface, the Curodont gel is applied to the early cavity lesion and left in contact with the tooth for several minutes. The peptides penetrate the enamel and begin the remineralization process, which continues over the following weeks. A follow-up evaluation confirms whether the lesion has arrested and remineralized sufficiently to avoid a filling.
Who benefits most from Curodont:
- Patients with early-stage cavities (incipient or early interproximal lesions) that haven’t yet broken through the enamel surface — these are the prime candidates, as Curodont can regenerate the lesion before it becomes a cavity requiring drilling
- Patients who want to avoid fillings where clinically appropriate — Curodont offers a genuine non-invasive alternative to the drill for early decay
- Cavity-prone patients who want to treat early lesions aggressively before they progress
- Orthodontic patients who have developed white spot lesions (early demineralization) around brackets — Curodont is highly effective at remineralizing these areas
- Patients with sensitivity related to early enamel erosion or early cavities
Important to know: Curodont is not appropriate for cavities that have already progressed through the enamel into the dentin — at that stage, a filling is required. The treatment is most effective on early lesions identified on X-rays or during clinical examination before significant tooth structure has been lost. This is another reason why regular exams matter — the earlier we catch decay, the more options we have.
How These Treatments Fit Together
SDF and Curodont address different stages and types of decay, and they complement each other and our other preventive tools as part of a complete preventive strategy:
Early enamel lesion (white spot, incipient cavity) → Curodont remineralization to reverse and regenerate
Active decay, especially in vulnerable patients or difficult locations → SDF to arrest and harden
High-risk surfaces (molars, deep grooves) → Dental sealants to prevent decay from starting
Remineralization support between visits → Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, fluoride rinse, and personalized home care recommendations
Regular monitoring → Digital X-rays and 3D imaging to catch new lesions early when treatment options are greatest
The goal at every visit is to identify problems at the earliest possible stage — when the least invasive, most conservative treatment is still an option.
Other Preventive Services We Offer
Dental Exams & Cleanings Professional cleanings remove calculus and bacteria that home brushing and flossing cannot reach, and comprehensive exams allow us to monitor every tooth, every area of gum tissue, and every existing restoration at regular intervals. We recommend cleanings every six months for most patients and every three to four months for patients with a history of gum disease or higher cavity risk.
Digital X-Rays Our low-radiation digital X-rays detect decay between teeth, beneath restorations, and in areas not visible clinically — often catching problems years before they would cause symptoms. Early detection means simpler, less expensive treatment.
Dental Sealants Thin protective coatings applied to the grooves and pits of back molars — the teeth most vulnerable to cavities. Painless, quick, and highly effective especially in children when permanent molars first come in.
Fluoride Treatments Professional fluoride application after each cleaning strengthens enamel and remineralizes early lesions. We also offer fluoride-free hydroxyapatite mineralization treatments for patients who prefer to minimize fluoride.
Oral Cancer Screening Included at every comprehensive exam — a systematic visual and tactile examination of all soft tissues in the mouth, throat, and neck. Early detection is critical.
Personalized Home Care Guidance We don’t just clean your teeth and send you home. We evaluate your specific risk factors — decay history, gum health, diet, medications, dry mouth — and give you targeted recommendations for products and habits that address your individual situation. See our Oral Hygiene Recommendations page for Dr. Barkhordar’s personal product guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Silver Diamine Fluoride safe? Yes. SDF has an excellent safety profile and is FDA-cleared for use in adults and children. It should not be used on patients with a known silver allergy. The main side effect is permanent black staining of treated decay — which is a cosmetic consideration, not a health concern.
Will SDF turn my teeth black? The silver in SDF reacts with the decay and turns it black permanently. Healthy tooth structure surrounding the treated area is not stained. This makes SDF most appropriate for back teeth, root surfaces, or situations where the clinical benefit of arresting decay outweighs the cosmetic concern. For front teeth where aesthetics are important, the decision is made case by case in discussion with you.
How quickly does Curodont work? Remineralization begins immediately after application and continues over the following weeks as calcium and phosphate ions are incorporated into the peptide scaffold. A follow-up exam typically at three to six months assesses the response. Many early lesions arrest and remineralize sufficiently to avoid a filling entirely.
Can adults benefit from SDF, or is it just for kids? Both adults and children benefit significantly from SDF. It is particularly valuable for adults with root surface cavities due to gum recession, patients with dry mouth, medically complex patients, and anyone for whom minimizing invasive treatment is a priority.
How do I know if I have an early cavity that could be treated with Curodont? Early cavities often have no symptoms at all — which is why regular X-rays and exams are so important. Dr. Barkhordar identifies early lesions at your exam and discusses whether Curodont remineralization is appropriate for your specific situation. The earlier the detection, the more options you have.
Does insurance cover SDF or Curodont? Coverage varies by plan. SDF is covered by some PPO dental insurance plans, particularly for pediatric patients. Curodont coverage is more variable. We verify your benefits before treatment and explain all costs upfront.
We serve patients from Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Frogtown, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Highland Park, and Glendale who want to take a proactive, minimally invasive approach to their dental health. Call Silverlake Dental Group at (323) 922-6016 or request an appointment online. We’re at 2390 Glendale Blvd in Silver Lake, open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with free parking in the back.
From a family of dentists with quality care
We would be happy to work with you!