Resin Infiltration of White-Spot Lesions

White spot lesions often occur in orthodontic patients, especially if proper oral hygiene wasn’t kept before the orthodontic treatment was performed. One option for treating white spot lesions is with resin infiltration, a minimally invasive restorative treatment for post-ortho white spot lesions (WSLs) as well as certain congenital hypocalcified enamel lesions.

The Icon Treatment penetrates demineralized enamel and fades the appearance of white spot lesions and hypo spots. It produces optical properties similar to those of natural enamel so that the shade of the tooth looks natural.

Procedure

The ICON procedure takes only one visit and requires no shots/numbing or drilling. Plain pumice is used to clean the teeth, then the lesions are etched to remove the outer remineralized layer of enamel. Finishing bur is used on any surfaces that do not show any improvement. A drying agent of ethanol is then applied. A resin infiltrant is applied and left to soak for three minutes to allow for capillary action. Excess material is removed with cotton rolls, micro-brushes, and floss. The material is light cured and an additional amount is applied for one minute. This is also cured (after the excess is removed). The treatment is finished with polishing discs or burs. The gums may blanch temporarily in lesions close to the gum line. The entire procedure takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Benefits

The ICON procedure is much less invasive and less expensive than alternatives, such as fillings or veneers. It can also be completed sooner than cosmetic options like veneers. Hypo spots treated with ICON should whiten similarly to the natural tooth enamel instead of looking worse as with bleaching.

Does it work?

Research shows that results last for at least eight weeks. Similar to teeth whitening procedures, which may need touch-ups, so does this procedure. However, many patients show stable results for three years or more. It should be noted that it’s not guaranteed that any spots will disappear completely, but in most cases, there is a significant cosmetic improvement in just one visit.