Dental aesthetics · Founded 2024–2025

Keep the caries protection of SDF, lose the black stain.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) arrests caries but discolours teeth, which limits its use. AntiStain Dental is developing a natural antioxidant step, alpha lipoic acid, applied right after SDF to stop that discolouration.

See the solutionView the results
32bovine teeth tested in vitro
1 monthfollow-up of tooth colour
p > 0.05no significant colour change with alpha lipoic acid
Treatments compared At a glance
SDF aloneSignificant colour change
p < 0.05
SDF + ascorbic acidDid not prevent staining
p < 0.05
SDF + alpha lipoic acidNo significant change from baseline
p > 0.05
Why it matters: If the stain can be prevented, more patients may accept SDF as a simple caries treatment.
The problem

An effective caries treatment that patients avoid

SDF is a well-known caries preventive aid that can arrest lesions and prevent secondary caries. Its staining holds it back.

Visible discolouration

SDF discolours both enamel and dentin, which limits its clinical use.

Fast onset

In the study, lightness and hue dropped and chroma rose significantly within 1 hour of treatment.

It does not fade

Groups that changed colour were unable to reverse the discolouration even after 1 month.

Our solution

One extra step after SDF

The study compared three post-SDF treatments. Only alpha lipoic acid kept tooth colour close to its starting value.

Lead candidate

Alpha lipoic acid

p > 0.05colour change versus pretreatment at follow-up
  • A natural antioxidant
  • Applied immediately after SDF
  • Only group without significant colour change
Tested

Ascorbic acid

p < 0.05significant colour change remained
  • Also a natural antioxidant
  • Did not prevent SDF discolouration
  • Helps define what works
Tested

7th generation bonding

p < 0.05significant colour change remained
  • Bonding agent applied over SDF
  • Did not reverse the stain by 1 month
  • Shows sealing alone is not enough
How it works

How it was tested

The in vitro protocol behind our lead candidate.

  1. 1

    Prepare the teeth

    32 bovine teeth were polished to create a 6 mm window on enamel or on cervical dentin.

    32 teeth6 mm
  2. 2

    Apply SDF

    Each window was treated with SDF alone or with SDF followed by a test agent.

    SDF
  3. 3

    Add the test agent

    Ascorbic acid, alpha lipoic acid or a 7th generation bonding material was applied after SDF.

    AAALABonding
  4. 4

    Measure colour

    Lightness, chroma and hue were read with a digital chromometer before treatment and at 1 hour, 1 week and 1 month.

    L*C*H*
Results

What the in vitro study showed

Laboratory testing on extracted bovine teeth, analysed by repeated measures ANOVA.

32bovine teeth, enamel and dentin windows
4colour readings per tooth, up to 1 month
3colour parameters: L*, C* and H*
1 of 3post-SDF agents that prevented significant change (ALA)
Colour change versus pretreatment (as reported)
GroupResultStatistic
SDF aloneSignificant colour changep < 0.05
SDF + ascorbic acidSignificant colour changep < 0.05
SDF + 7th generation bondingSignificant colour changep < 0.05
SDF + alpha lipoic acidNo significant colour changep > 0.05

Source: Rahman et al., The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice 24(5), 278–284 (2023). doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3512

Who it's for

Who it is for

Anyone who wants SDF's benefits without its main drawback.

Paediatric dentists

  • Non-invasive caries arrest
  • Fewer aesthetic objections from parents
  • A quick add-on step

Community and geriatric care

  • Simple caries control
  • Visible teeth treated with confidence
  • Low-tech application

Dental product companies

  • A companion product for SDF
  • A natural antioxidant active
  • Licensing and co-development
Where we are

Where the evidence stands

Early, laboratory-stage results.

In vitro model

Results come from extracted bovine teeth, not from patients' mouths.

Short follow-up

Colour was followed for 1 month. Longer-term colour stability is not yet known.

Caries effect untested

The study measured colour only. Whether alpha lipoic acid affects SDF's caries-arresting action still needs testing.

The team

The team

Founded in 2024–2025 by the research team behind the in vitro study on preventing SDF-induced tooth discolouration.

MI

Md Sofiqul Islam

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

AA

A.C. Smriti Aryal

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

MR

Muhammed Mustahsen Rahman

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

MA

Maryam Fuad Abry

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

NS

Noor Sayed Majed Salman

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

ZA

Zainab Mohamed Ahmed

Co-author of the AntiStain Dental research.

Frequently asked questions

What is silver diamine fluoride?

A caries preventive aid that can arrest carious lesions and prevent secondary caries, but it discolours teeth.

What does AntiStain Dental add?

A step with alpha lipoic acid, a natural antioxidant, applied immediately after SDF.

How well did it work?

In vitro, the alpha lipoic acid group showed no significant colour change from pretreatment (p > 0.05), unlike SDF alone.

Does vitamin C work too?

No. Ascorbic acid was unable to prevent the discolouration in this study.

Is it ready for clinical use?

Not yet. The evidence is from bovine teeth in the laboratory, and clinical studies are needed.

The research

Peer-reviewed science behind AntiStain Dental.

Read the full study behind the product.

Read the paper

Rahman, M. M., Islam, M. S., Aryal, A. C. S., Abry, M. F., Salman, N. S. M., & Ahmed, Z. M. (2023). Inhibition of silver diamine fluoride-induced tooth discoloration by using natural antioxidant: In vitro study. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 24(5), 278–284. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3512

https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3512