08/06/2026
Untreated tooth decay affects 2.5 billion people worldwide, making it the most common yet largely preventable noncommunicable disease. In recent years, silver fluoride-based treatments have gained global clinical and research attention as a simple, non-invasive approach to stop tooth decay.
Merve Üçtaşlı's doctoral dissertation investigated how silver fluoride-based treatments interact with dentin, the inner tissue that gives teeth their strength. The research focused on two commercially available materials: ammonia-based silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and water-based silver fluoride (SF).
The key findings show that both slow down enzymes inside dentin that gradually weaken tooth structure, helping preserve dentin and support long lasting dental care. Water-based silver fluoride showed better biocompatibility and improved the ability of decayed dentin to withstand repeated chewing forces.
🗓️ DDS Merve Üçtaşlı defends the dissertation in Cariology and Restorative Dentistry at the University of Turku on 15 May 2026 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Dentalia, Arje Scheinin lecture hall, Lemminkäisenkatu 2, Turku). The audience can also participate in the defence remotely.
Read more: https://www.utu.fi/en/news/events/dissertation-defence-cariology-and-restorative-dentistry-dds-merve-uctasli