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.
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.
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.
The teeth that may benefit from Icon treatment are:
Icon Whitening offers several benefits for those looking to achieve a whiter smile:
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.
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.
Before the procedure, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth with pumice, followed by placing a dental rubber dam or gum barrier.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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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
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
Revolutionizing Minimally Invasive Dentistry with Resin Infiltration |Carla Cohn, DMD |
https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/revolutionizing-minimally-invasive-dentistry-with-resin-infiltration/