Do noticeable chalky, white spots stand in the way of you feeling confident about your smile? Atlanta Smiles & Wellness, a world-class cosmetic dental practice serving Atlanta and the surrounding area, can help. Here, we explain how white spots form and how our experienced dentists can treat white spots.
What Causes White Spots?
Most white spots are caused by the decalcification of tooth enamel. A common cause of decalcification is poor oral hygiene. When the teeth are not properly cleaned, acids left behind by food debris and bacteria sit on the enamel structure for too long and start leeching out the calcium from the enamel. Dry mouth is another cause of decalcification as lack of saliva prevents the proper washing away of harmful acids from the teeth. In addition, individuals who wear braces are more likely to develop white spots due to the difficulty of brushing under and around brackets and wires from braces.
Treating White Spots
Until recently, dentists were limited to a few choices for treating white spots. Two of them — fluoride treatments to re-mineralize enamel in the early stages of decalcification and teeth whitening to cover up the spots — are only somewhat effective. A third option — treating white spots with dental fillings, veneers or dental crowns — is effective but removes of a significant amount of healthy tooth structure.
The trusted dentists at Atlanta Smiles & Wellness offer a minimally invasive alternative for white spot removal. Icon® is an innovative treatment that can stop the progression of white spots without needles, drills or the removal of tooth structure. Treatment with Icon® involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the surface of the tooth where the white spot is located. The resin material infiltrates the pores of the tooth and is activated by a blue light. This allows the white spot to take on the appearance of the surrounding healthy enamel. Treatment is quick and preserves healthy tooth structure, prolonging the life expectancy of natural teeth.
Don’t let noticeable white spots get in the way of your smile. To learn more about white spot removal with the Icon® procedure, please schedule a personal appointment with Dr. Dina Giesler. Contact Atlanta Smiles & Wellness by calling (404) 262-7733 or emailing us today.