Whether it’s after orthodontic treatment (as with this patient who came to us after completing ortho at a different practice), a result of fluorosis, or the early stages of cavities, white spot lesions are unflattering in appearance. They can also be a precursor for more involved decay. Previously, there was no effective way to treat these areas for both esthetics and prevention. Veneers or fillings are much more aggressive than is needed. Fluoride treatment can help stop the progression of decay, but it has limited impact on the appearance of these white spots. Dr. Feldman and the team at Gainesville Dentistry Co. are providers of Icon, a breakthrough micro-invasive technology for filling and reinforcing demineralized enamel without drilling or anesthesia.
)%20(5).png)
“Icon Resin Infiltrant- Smooth Surface is a specially developed infiltration product for smooth surfaces, particularly well-suited to remove white spots and treat incipient caries, especially those related to orthodontic treatment.” The process of receiving this innovative treatment is very straightforward. The first step would be determining if this type of treatment is right for your particular concerns. There are limitations to the depth of a lesion that Icon can work for. Depending on the depth and the surface structure of the decay, traditional options like resin composite fillings or porcelain veneers/crowns may be required. As this is a treatment meant for non-cavitated enamel lesions, an evaluation will be needed prior to scheduling Icon treatment. The doctor will discuss the likely esthetic outcome of the treatment based on severity so that you can make the best informed decision about how to proceed based on your goals.
On the day of your Icon appointment, the treated teeth will be cleaned with a non-fluoridated prophy paste to remove any plaque or debris. A dry field is needed, so we will isolate the lips and cheeks with retractors, provide a bite block to act as a pillow to separate the teeth, and will place a liquid dam material over your gums in that area. This will protect your gums from irritation. Icon-Etch will be placed and massaged into the affected areas to ready the surface for Icon. Icon-Dry will then be placed to allow for proper penetration of the low viscosity resin. Icon-Infiltrant will be placed on the affected teeth and allowed to fully infiltrate the lesions, removing the white spots. The teeth will be light cured and the surfaces will be finished and polished. The best part about the procedure is that no anesthetic is needed! Also, other than the polishing performed at the end of the procedure, there is no drilling on the teeth.
)%20(6).png)
If you are dealing with white spot lesions that affect your smile or confidence, give us a call at (352) 88-SMILE and ask our team about setting up a consultation for Icon. If you know anyone who is dealing with this issue, let them know about what we have to offer. If these white spots are a result of orthodontic treatment, it is best to treat them as early as possible for the best outcome. We look forward to helping Gainesville, Florida get rid of white spot lesions!
About The Author
Dr. Greg Feldman has completed over 1600 hours of continuing education following his graduation from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. To put this into perspective, dentists are only required to take 30 hours of continuing education every two years. This means that Dr. Feldman has already taken 100 years of dental education in his relatively young career. He is an avid learner and a lifelong student of dentistry. As a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Dr. Feldman has achieved a level of recognition in the field of dentistry that few have ever reached. With this in mind, you can rest assured that anything he writes about on this blog is well researched and backed by scientific evidence and his extensive training.
