Icon Treatment – Westminster, CO
Quickly and Painlessly Vanquish White Spots
Do you suffer from unsightly white spots on your teeth? These little imperfections often occur due to issues such as fluorosis, demineralization, trauma, poor oral hygiene, or discoloration that occurs after orthodontic treatment. In the past, the only way to treat these white spot lesions (WSLs) involved shots, drilling, and resin or porcelain restorations. Today, however, an easier alternative is available. Dr. Bancroft is proud to offer Icon treatment, an innovative and painless way to erase that lesions without the need for a highly invasive dental procedure.
How Icon Works
WSLs occur due to an imbalance of mineralization and remineralization on the teeth. Simply put, some portions of the enamel contain a higher concentration of minerals than other portions, which leads to uneven coloration. The lesions are areas where minerals can’t access deeper portions of the enamel; they look white because of the way light scatters when it hits the lesions.
Here is how Icon works to correct WSLs and enamel bruising:
- Dr. Bancroft, a skilled general and cosmetic dentist, uses micro-abrasion to expose the tubules of the tooth. Then, she applies an etching material to the tooth multiple times. These steps will ensure that the resin, which is responsible for the color correction, is able to properly soak into the tooth.
- She keeps the tooth try while applying a special resin. The resin infiltrates the lesion and soaks into the tooth. It forms a bond with the tooth’s structure.
- The dentist removes the extra resin, then uses a light to harden the portion of it that remains in the teeth.
- Dr. Bancroft polishes the teeth to complete the new look. After treatment, your teeth should have a significantly more uniform appearance than they did before.
- From beginning to end, an Icon treatment may last around one hour.
Advantages of Icon
Icon’s most outstanding benefits include:
- It is painless, and there are no needles involved.
- Icon saves as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
- Unlike other treatments for WSLs, Icon is suitable for children. In fact, it is an appropriate treatment for most individuals who have white spots on their teeth due to fluorosis, orthodontia, and other factors.
- Icon is less expensive than alternative treatments, including porcelain veneers.
- The results of the treatment may last for a few years before you need to come in for a touchup.
- Untreated WSLs usually look worse after traditional teeth whitening treatments. Icon-treated WSLs, on the other hand, let you take full advantage of whitening treatments.
Are you ready to learn if Icon could improve your smile’s appearance? Contact J.B. Dental to ask about this innovative cosmetic treatment today.
ICON FAQs
Now that you know a bit more about Icon treatment in Westminster, you may feel more comfortable with the idea of having these white spots removed. Dr. Bancroft and our team at J.B. Dental understand, though, if you still have questions about the process and procedure. We’ve received various inquiries from patients about this method of treatment, many of which are included below. Complete with honest responses from Dr. Bancroft, we encourage you to review the following list and contact us if you have any additional questions.
Can Icon be used as a preventive measure?
In most situations, no, Icon should not be used as a preventive measure simply because healthy tooth enamel is unlikely to absorb the resin that is applied to the surfaces of teeth. While it does work to minimize the possibility of any early cavities so that you do not require more invasive techniques (i.e., drilling), it’s not recommended for individuals who are simply looking to avoid white spots.
Is Icon safe for children?
Yes! Children can reap the benefits of Icon treatment because it is less invasive than other white spot treatment options (i.e., dental fillings or veneers). Also, Dr. Bancroft can administer Icon to young smiles even though their smiles are still growing – a stark contrast to young patients who prefer veneers, which require completed growth.
Another major benefit, more so for parents, is that it is much less expensive than other restorative or cosmetic treatment options.
Can I just whiten my teeth instead?
While it might seem as if whitening your teeth is the best and most convenient option, the truth is that the products used to brighten smiles will only cause your white spots to appear even whiter. If you want to do something about the color of your teeth, it’s recommended that you treat the white spots on your teeth first. Then, you can plan to undergo professional whitening treatment to ensure that your smile looks beautiful and even.
Are there any side effects to Icon treatment?
It is unlikely that you will experience any negative side effects after receiving Icon treatment. Because it is a unique formula that requires only minimal tooth etching and abrasion, the only possible impact it may have is that you have some slight sensitivity to hot or cold foods. The good news is that you can expect it to dissipate within a few hours. You’ll want to make sure that you take proper care of your teeth immediately following your appointment, so follow the instructions provided to you by Dr. Bancroft.