Introduction: Childhood dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting the pediatric population. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) represents a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative for arresting the progression of carious lesions.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of silver diamine fluoride in the prevention and arrest of childhood dental caries, considering its benefits, limitations, and clinical applications.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted using articles published between 2020 and 2026 in Spanish and English, retrieved from Google Scholar and SciELO. Of the 20 studies identified, 10 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis.

Results: Silver diamine fluoride demonstrated an efficacy ranging from 80% to 100% in arresting childhood dental caries. Furthermore, it proved to be a safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-apply treatment. The main limitation was the dark staining of treated carious lesions, with greater acceptance in posterior teeth than in anterior teeth.