If you recently completed orthodontic treatment, you are probably feeling pretty good about your straighter smile. Seeing how well your teeth line up can make a significant difference in how you eat, speak, and feel about your appearance. But what about those tiny white spots that appear to be left behind on the surfaces of your teeth? What can you do about those? Keep reading to learn how ICON treatment can give your smile what it needs to shine.
Why Do Braces Leave Behind White Spots?
Although braces alone do not cause white spots, they often appear after traditional metal brackets are removed. This is due to an accumulation of plaque and harmful acids that remain on teeth during treatment.
It can often be hard to brush and clean around brackets and wires thoroughly, so plaque can become trapped, leading to enamel demineralization.
This can also occur after wearing clear aligners, especially if you do not regularly brush after eating or if you fail to clean your trays properly.
What is ICON Treatment?
ICON treatment is designed to treat white spot lesions with the help of a specialized resin that penetrates the affected area (white spot) and bonds with the tooth. Your dentist will expose the tubules of your tooth before applying the resin so it will soak in without issue.
After using a curing light to harden the resin, your dentist will reveal a new, improved tooth free of white spots.
As a painless procedure, ICON treatment allows you to keep more of your natural tooth structure while also requiring only about one hour of your time.
Can Teeth Whitening Work to Remove White Spots?
It might seem as if teeth whitening can do the same as ICON treatment, but because of the products used to brighten teeth and the process required to apply them, this method of treatment can make your white spots more visible.
While you are encouraged to seek professional teeth whitening after orthodontics, it is best to have your dentist administer ICON treatment first to ensure the enamel surface is not uneven.
Just because you see white spots after undergoing orthodontic treatment, there is no need to worry. With ICON treatment, you take your straighter smile and make it brighter and more beautiful, which is what you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Joanne Bancroft has practiced for more than two decades and earned her dental degree from the State University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2002. At J.B. Dental, she and her team offer Icon Treatment to help patients achieve a flawless appearance free of white spot lesions. If you are tired of feeling self-conscious about these small patches, contact us at (720) 458-6561 to get the help you need!