White Spot Treatment in Los Gatos, CA

Do you have white spots or mottling on your teeth? At the dental office of James Lin, DMD, we are pleased to offer ICON resin infiltration treatment to eliminate white spots lesions on the enamel and deliver a whiter, brighter smile to children and adults. 

What Are White Spot Lesions?

White spots on teeth, also known as white spot lesions (WSLs) or enamel bruising, occur when the enamel becomes demineralized. The inner layer of enamel decalcifies and is trapped under the healthy surface enamel. Some people are born with a predisposition to demineralization or thin enamel, but it's primarily caused by an accumulation of plaque, acid, and bacteria on the teeth.

What Causes White Spots on Teeth?

You can have white spots or mottling on your teeth for many reasons, from dental fluorosis to overconsumption of acidic or sugary foods. 

Here are some of the causes:

• Dental fluorosis – Dental fluorosis usually occurs due to too much fluoride exposure, especially as a child when the teeth aren't fully developed. 
• Enamel hypoplasia – Enamel hypoplasia is when a person's dental enamel doesn't properly form. Like dental fluorosis, hypoplasia commonly occurs during childhood when the teeth are still developing. Enamel hypoplasia can also increase the risk of developing tooth decay.  
• Poor dental hygiene – Long-term bacteria buildup can lead to mineral loss of the tooth, or demineralization, thus creating white spots on teeth. Decalcified enamel on teeth can also indicate tooth decay. 
• Fixed orthodontics – People with fixed orthodontics, like braces with brackets and wires, can have white spots on their teeth after the braces are removed. 
• Diet – Eating too many acidic or sugary foods can wear down tooth enamel and result in white spots on your teeth. 

Using the ICON infiltration system, or resin infiltration, Dr. Lin can eliminate white spots and create a more seamless, even smile. ICON resin infiltration is a minimally invasive treatment that erases white spot lesions and restores enamel. Not only does it remove white spots, but it also eliminates yellow and brown developmental markings on the surfaces of your teeth. 

Unlike other treatments, ICON resin infiltration doesn't remove any tooth structure and doesn't require anesthesia––no drilling or fillings are necessary! Ultimately, the goal is to stop the progression of the lesions and give you the uniform pearly whites you desire. We use ICON resin infiltration in various areas of dental care, including teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, children's dentistry, and family dentistry. 

Modern and Conservative Cosmetic Dentistry

Instead of using the traditional approach of physical removal of tooth structure, the ICON system uses only 15% hydrochloric acid etch (instead of the 30-50% phosphoric etch used in standard white fillings) to treat the tooth surface.

ICON Resin Infiltration Treatment Aftercare

1. Do not eat or drink dark or colored foods or drinks for at least 24 hours after treatment. For example: mustard, soy sauce, grape juice, dark sodas, coffee, tea, or things that have artificial coloring.

2. If your gums are irritated, use warm salt water rinses, eat soft foods, and brush softly. Any irritation will clear up after a few days.

3. Do not use in-office or at-home tooth whitening products for at least two weeks after an ICON treatment. Whitening products may cause white spots to reappear temporarily if they are used too soon after treatment.

You can attain a flawless smile without white spots detracting from your grin in a single dental visit to our Los Gatos dental office. Dr. Lin uses ICON infiltration to preserve enamel structure and restore your teeth to their natural color. This treatment option is less expensive and invasive than fillings, veneers, and the like. 

We also recommend ICON infiltration for white spots instead of teeth whitening. This is because the white spot lesions lie beneath the first layer of enamel, so teeth whitening will only make the white spots look more pronounced. However, resin infiltration will fade the white spots, making them no longer noticeable. 

How Does ICON Infiltration Work? 

Here's how we perform ICON infiltration at our Los Gatos dental office: 

• Clean your teeth to ensure it's free from plaque and tartar 
• Separate the tooth or teeth that need treatment from neighboring teeth with a wedge 
• Gently remove the outermost layer of enamel using an etching solution 
• Use a drying agent to dry out tooth pores and white spot lesions 
• Apply ICON resin infiltration to fill pores and improve the appearance of enamel 
• Remove excess resin and finish the treatment by curing and polishing the tooth

ICON resin infiltration can fade white spots or eliminate them entirely; this treatment can last many years before requiring a touch-up. 

Contact Your Los Gatos Dentist Today

If you have white spots or have just completed orthodontic treatment, Dr. Lin can help you enhance your smile's beauty with ICON resin infiltration in Los Gatos, CA. Call us today to schedule a consultation!