Icon Resin (Infiltration Therapy)
for White Spot Lesions
Icon Resin (Infiltration Therapy) for White Spot Lesions
Icon resin is a minimally invasive dental treatment used to improve the appearance of white spot lesions and stop their progression. It’s especially common after orthodontic treatment (like braces), where these spots often become noticeable.
What It Is and How It Works
Icon is a low-viscosity resin that penetrates into the porous enamel of a white spot lesion. These lesions look white because the enamel has lost minerals, creating tiny pores that scatter light differently than healthy enamel.
The resin fills these pores, which :
Benefits
White spot lesions are early signs of enamel demineralization—the first stage of tooth decay.
Main causes:
- Plaque buildup: Bacteria in plaque produce acids when they metabolize sugars. These acids pull minerals (like calcium and phosphate) out of enamel.
- Poor oral hygiene:** Common during orthodontic treatment, where brackets make cleaning harder.
- Frequent sugar intake:** Constant acid attacks don’t allow enamel time to remineralize.
- Dry mouth (reduced saliva):** Saliva normally helps neutralize acids and supply minerals.
- Acidic diets:
Soda, sports drinks, and citrus foods contribute to enamel breakdown.
What’s Happening at the Microscopic Level:
Enamel loses minerals beneath the surface, creating a subsurface lesion. The outer surface may remain intact initially, but underneath it becomes porous. These pores scatter light, which is why the area looks chalky white instead of translucent.
