Brighter Smiles in 2024 with Icon : The Future of Whitening

As we step into 2024, the quest for a brighter smile continues to be a top priority in cosmetic dentistry. One of the most innovative and effective treatments emerging is the Icon resin infiltration technique. This minimally invasive dental procedure is changing how we approach teeth whitening and oral health. Laser teeth whitening is one of the cutting-edge whitening technologies that helps people achieve a brighter smile.

What is Icon treatment?

Up until recently, fixing teeth with white spot enamel lesions or mild fluorosis was tricky because there weren’t any straightforward, minimally invasive methods available. Most people would try regular teeth whitening to hide these spots but that often made the white spot lesions or white discoloration stand out even more. So, many would end up opting for things like composite resin or ceramic veneers to cover them up. While these treatments work, they’re more invasive, take longer, and require more trips to the dentist.

Enter Icon Whitening! It is also called Resin Infiltration technique. This dental treatment is an innovative approach in cosmetic dentistry, aimed at addressing demineralised enamel, enamel white defects and non-cavitated caries lesions or natural caries lesions with smooth surface. Unlike traditional methods, the Icon resin infiltration technique preserves the natural tooth structure while providing quality dental care, helping you achieve a dazzling smile.

As a minimally invasive technique, it helps to blend non-cavitated natural caries lesions with the surrounding healthy tooth structure with smooth surface without drilling the teeth or giving anaesthetic. The dentist usually does this at the dental clinic.

This method is considered to be a bridge between tooth filling and professional dental cleaning. It also resembles whitening treatment to a certain extent! Icon resin infiltration technique is a safe and minimally invasive treatment that can significantly improve tooth colour and appearance to give you a bright smile.

What are White Spot Enamel Lesions? 

Non-cavitated natural caries lesions are often seen as white opaque uneven patches on your teeth. These are also considered as early stages of teeth demineralisation. When the pH level of our teeth decreases due to our high sugar or carbohydrate diets, minerals present in the hardest part of the teeth (enamel) dissolve due to the acids produced by the bacteria in our mouth. This leads to opaque white patches or spots on teeth with smooth surfaces.

What kinds of teeth are suitable for Icon treatment?

The teeth that may benefit from Icon treatment are:

• White spot lesions after orthodontic treatment
• Early stages of mild fluorosis with healthy enamel
• Mild stage of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)
• Non-cavitated early stages of tooth decay/carious lesions

How does Icon treatment work?

• Icon Etching Step: It involves applying a specialised gel on the affected tooth to gently remove the outer surface layer and expose the porous enamel lesions. The gel penetrates through the porosities by capillary action. The teeth are then light-cured, resulting in teeth that look even like the surrounding healthy teeth. The gel optically blends in the lesion to look like its surrounding healthy tooth structure.
• Air Drying Step: The tooth is then dried using a gentle air stream to achieve a dry field and prepare it for the infiltration technique.
• Resin Infiltration Step: The Icon resin infiltrant (which is a composite material) is applied, penetrating the demineralised enamel and filling the carious lesions and interproximal lesions. This resin infiltration therapy stabilises the enamel surface and halts the dental caries infiltration process.

What are the benefits of Icon treatment?

Icon Whitening offers several benefits for those looking to achieve a whiter smile:

• Aesthetic: It helps the lesions blend in well with the surrounding healthy tooth structure.
• Non-invasive: Unlike ceramic or composite fillings, the tooth structure is not removed, and this technique preserves the rest of the healthy tooth structure. 
• Pain-free: This technique does not need drilling or anaesthetic. 
• Boosts confidence: A whiter smile can significantly enhance your self-confidence and overall appearance, making you feel more confident in social and professional settings.
• Efficient: You may be able to achieve results with a single visit.

Related Articles

• A Dentist’s Guide to Teeth Whitening in Singapore (2024)
• 5 Ways how to whiten teeth naturally in 2024

Combining Icon and Teeth Whitening

Combining the Icon resin infiltration technique with traditional teeth whitening can enhance results for those with specific enamel issues. The Icon resin infiltration can treat enamel defects and white spot lesions, creating a uniform base for further whitening treatments. This dual approach ensures a healthier and radiant smile.

As dental technologies advance, treatments like the Icon resin infiltration system and professional teeth whitening will continue to evolve. These innovations ensure that patients receive the highest quality dental care while maintaining perfect dental health.

With advancements in teeth whitening technology, both office treatments and home teeth whitening solutions now offer more effective and safer options. Many whitening gels contain hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down stains on teeth, restoring a confident smile.

As technology continues to evolve, the future of teeth whitening promises even more efficient and long-lasting results, making professional and home-based whitening solutions increasingly accessible and convenient.

Step-by-Step Guide to Icon Whitening

Patients will undergo Icon treatment at the dental clinic under the expert care of their dentist. It is better to schedule a consultation with your dentist to determine if you are a suitable candidate for Icon Whitening. The Icon whitening pouch comes with three tubes consisting of Etchant, Alcohol and Resin Gel. Let's dive into how Icon whitening is done. 

1) Preparation

Before the procedure, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth with pumice, followed by placing a dental rubber dam or gum barrier.

2) Etching Step

Icon Etch gel is applied to the lesions for 2 minutes. Followed by 30 seconds of rinsing with water and air dry. This step removes the surface layer of the lesion to allow for better penetration of resin infiltrant.

3) Icon Dry

An Icon Dry tube containing ethanol is applied on the tooth for 30 seconds and air-dried. The Icon Dry alcohol application helps to desiccate the lesion to allow for the resin infiltration in the next step to be taken up completely.

4) Icon Infiltrant Gel (Resin)

The resin infiltrant is applied to the entire tooth surface until it is thoroughly wetted. While applying the gel, the dentist switches off the operatory light. The gel is kept for 3 minutes and excess resin is removed from the teeth with a cotton pellet. The gel is then cured for 40 seconds. 

5) Additional steps

The gum dental barrier is removed and checked for any remaining excess resin. The teeth are smoothened with polishing disks, just like polishing composite fillings.

6) Aftercare

Follow any post-treatment instructions provided by your dentist to maintain the results and ensure long-lasting whitening.

Click here to learn more about the Icon resin infiltration technique and other dental fillings!

FAQs on Icon treatment

1. Are there any risks seen after Icon resin infiltration technique?

   Ans: Evidence shows little to no side effects on the teeth after Icon resin infiltration therapy. The most common side effect that few patients face may be mild sensitivity after the treatment.
   
   

2. Is Icon resin infiltration therapy painful? Do I need any painkillers or anaesthetic?

   Ans: No, Icon resin infiltration therapy is a painless procedure that involves no drilling of the teeth, and anaesthetic is not needed in this case. Some patients might experience slight discomfort from the etching gel or cold sensitivity but it is typically minimal, and sensitivity usually goes away after a few minutes to hours. If sensitivity still progresses after a few hours or days, do visit your dental professional regarding the problem. 
   
   

3. How long do the Icon treatment results last?

   Ans: The results may last several years as long as you maintain good oral hygiene habits and have regular follow-up visits with the dentist. 
   
   

4. What is the aftercare for Icon treatment?

   Ans: No special additional steps for aftercare is needed. Patients should continue with regular oral hygiene practices, including brushing and using a mouthwash and dental floss. Regular dental checkups are also necessary!

Conclusion

Research has shown that while Icon treatment is a promising technique, it needs more clinical studies for conclusive findings. Nevertheless, at this stage and based on available laboratory and clinical studies, Icon treatment is part of minimally invasive dentistry that works well to manage early dental caries and white spots on teeth from getting worse.

Looking to book a dental consultation with us? Just drop us a message here and we will be right with you!

References

1. Treatment protocol of dental bleaching and resin infiltration for white spot lesions | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37166772/ | Leonardo Fernandes da Cunha, Vitória Beatriz Souza da Silva, Fernanda Cristina Pimentel Garcia, Liliane Roskamp, Thalita de Paris de Matos, Isabela Ribeiro Madalena, Flares Baratto-Filho

2.  Is Resin Infiltration a Microinvasive Approach to White Lesions of Calcified Tooth Structures?: A Systemic Review |Vidya Manoharan,¹ S Arun Kumar,² Selva B Arumugam,³ Vijay Anand,⁴ Santham Krishnamoorthy,⁵ and John J Methippara | https://doi.org/10.5005%2Fjp-journals-10005-1579 

3. Revolutionizing Minimally Invasive Dentistry with Resin Infiltration |Carla Cohn, DMD |
   https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/revolutionizing-minimally-invasive-dentistry-with-resin-infiltration/