Our team employs a number of unique treatments and technologies to help address common oral health issues. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist is talking about the Icon® system we use to treat the white spots that form on your teeth in the earliest stags of tooth decay. In addition, we’re also going to look at other common cavity treatments too.
The Causes of White Spots
The enamel that coats the teeth is a thin, but very strong, protective portion of the teeth. The enamel is designed to protect the sensitive inner structures, so your tooth remains alive and healthy, and to also help you chew the food you eat. However, poor oral hygiene, injury, and a diet high in sugar among other factors could cause the outer enamel to weaken and erode. Known as demineralization, this also causes white spots to begin appearing on the teeth. Typically, treatment isn’t possible until the issue reaches the latest stages. However, we now have a system that can help protect the teeth even in the earliest stages of demineralization.
Icon® Treatment
We begin by cleaning and then drying the portion of the teeth with weakened enamel. We then apply a a special Icon® resin infiltrant. After we remove excess material, we cure the resin with a light. The process only takes one visit, and help prevents the onset of tooth decay and also improves the overall appearance of the tooth. No need for drills or other treatments!
Silver Diamine Fluoride
We would also like to discuss our other treatment options for tooth decay. For example, if a cavity has moved beyond the white and yellow spots stage, but isn’t severe enough for a filling yet, we could halt the rate of decay with silver diamine fluoride. We apply this material to the surface of the decayed portion, and it provides a seal to prevent the cavity from growing. We typically reserves this for the side and rear teeth, as the repaired portions take on a black appearance.
Dental Fillings
What if you have a cavity too severe to be addressed with Icon® or silver diamine fluoride? In that case, you need a filling. The process of placing a filling is a bit more involved. We administer a local anesthetic and then remove all decay from the tooth. We clean it thoroughly, etch the surfaces, and apply a composite resin. The material is metal-free and we can shade it to blend with the tooth! We then polish the tooth, completing the procedure.
Do You Have an Aching Tooth?
At Celina Family Dentistry, our team is ready to help you enjoy a whole and comfortable smile by treating your cavities. Contact our Celina, Texas office at (214) 851-0130 to learn more about our cavity treatments.
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