How Does Resin Infiltration Work?

If you have white spots on your teeth, it might be because the enamel on the teeth has begun to break down, leaving areas of exposed dental tissue that could appear as white spots. This occurs because the exposed material interacts with light in a different way from the enamel-covered tooth surface that surrounds it. Because these spots are created by an actual physical change in the surfaces of the teeth, teeth whitening methods and products won’t help hide them, but a proven method of treating tooth decay has been shown to effectively camouflage white spots while also protecting the teeth from further damage. This treatment is called resin infiltration.

Resin infiltration began as a treatment for tooth decay on the surfaces of the teeth. Dentists soon learned that it was also a successful method for covering white spots on the surfaces of the teeth and began researching the other ways resin infiltration could be used for cosmetic purposes. Resin seals porous areas in dental enamel and halts the progression of infiltration by acids and minerals that destroy the dental tissue, providing a medical benefit in addition to its clear aesthetic benefits.

Resin infiltration technology is often called ICON resin infiltration, using an acronym that stands for “caries Infiltration CONcept” and refers to the treatment of dental cavities, which are known as caries, with tooth-colored resin. In this minimally invasive treatment, a dentist can restore the appearance and integrity of the teeth without having to drill into the teeth or use anesthesia. This treatment isn’t permanent, though it is recognized as a long-term treatment, and in many patients, results can last longer than five years.

These long-term benefits are particularly appealing in light of the fact that the treatment usually takes less than an hour. In the procedure, your dentist will sterilize the areas that are demineralized with a 15% hydrochloric acid solution. Once the demineralized lesions are sterilized, they are dried out with an ethanol solution, and once they have been properly prepared, the porous areas of the teeth are filled in with a high-penetration resin. This resin infiltrates the pores in the dental tissue as well as the larger, visibly damaged areas. After the tooth is filled, the resin is cured with an ultraviolet light that sets it in place and solidifies the resin, creating a luminous, unified surface that matches the tone of the adjacent teeth. This process protects multiple layers of the teeth while also immediately improving the appearance and integrity of their outermost layer.

Resin infiltration helps improve the durability of dental enamel, filling in its porous areas and helping the affected teeth blend smoothly and naturally in with the other teeth. In addition to being minimally invasive, resin infiltration is also more affordable than other cosmetic dentistry options like veneers. Resin infiltration could be a good solution to white spots that linger after orthodontic treatment or as a result of medical conditions or tooth decay that deteriorate the glossy, protective enamel that covers the teeth. If you have white spots on your teeth, ask your dentist about your treatment options and find out if resin infiltration is a good option for you

How Long Does Resin Infiltration Last?