Associates in Dentistry also provides our patients with a variety of other services. This includes, but is not limited to:
Special oral hygiene products are available for purchase at Associate in Dentistry locations. This includes tongue brushes, bleaching refills, Oxyfresh, Prevident, and Fluridex. We also provide protective athletic mouth guards and night guards for bruxism.
DO YOU HAVE WHITE SPOTS ON YOUR TEETH? WE CAN HIDE THOSE SPOTS BY BLENDING THEM WITH THE COLOR OF THE REST OF YOUR TEETH IN AN EASY, PAINLESS WAY!
WHAT IS ICON?
Icon is a minimally invasive restorative treatment for post-ortho white-spot lesions (WSLs) and certain congenital hypocalcified enamel lesions (white spots you’ve had on your teeth most of your life).
HOW DID I GET THE WHITE SPOTS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
WSLs are associated with subsurface enamel porosities usually resulting from poor hygiene and associated plaque, bacteria and acids. With time, remineralization at the outer surface of the tooth decreases the access of calcium and other ions to deeper portions of the enamel, causing the spot to appear. The spots look white because there is a scattering of light at the subsurface of the demineralized enamel.
The other type of white spot is called a hypocalcified spot (white spots that have always been on the teeth for as long as you can remember), or enamel bruising. These spots are considered congenital enamel defects often caused by trauma or infection involving the primary teeth.
WHAT DOES ICON DO: I
con is a low viscosity, unfilled resin meaning it is a liquid-like white filling that penetrates demineralized enamel and helps fade the appearance of white spots on the teeth. Its optical properties allow it to blend with the existing color of the tooth so that the white spot better blends with the shade of the tooth.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The icon penetrates demineralized enamel and fades the appearance of white spots and has optical properties similar to enamel so it matches the natural shade of the tooth.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Icon is a bit of a tedious process as very specific timed steps need to be followed. Timing depends on the severity of the white spot(s), but typically varies from 20-45 minutes.
DOES IT HURT? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
Typically, no drilling and thus no “shot” or numbing is necessary. The teeth are cleaned with a pumice and then layers of outer remineralized enamel are removed to allow for ions and calcium to re-enter the tooth.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
Unlike whitening products, Icon resin infiltration is considered to be a long-term treatment solution. Research shows stability for at least 2 years, but we have seen success with 5+ years.
DOES IT WORK FOR EVERYONE?
We cannot guarantee that the spot will disappear completely, but the difference is often quite significant. Most spots are no longer visible after treatment is completed.
DO I NEED TO WHITEN FIRST AND CAN I WHITEN AFTERWARDS?
Untreated hypo spots often look worse after bleaching. Hypo spots treated with Icon will whiten similarly to the natural tooth enamel. However, if you would prefer to bleach first, we wait about 3 weeks to apply the ICON. Feel free to continue to use our prescription whitening trays after the ICON to keep your teeth pearly white!
