If you’re frustrated with visible white spots on your teeth (especially after having braces removed), you’re not alone. White spots have a variety of causes, but it likely feels as tho your white spots are the first thing people see when you smile. Up until recently, the best way to get rid of white spots was through drilling and removing the affected tooth structure. Now, there’s a groundbreaking alternative that means you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable drilling or numbing. Here’s what to know about your options for white spot removal in Midtown East and how my team can help.
What Are White Spots on the Teeth?
White spots on the teeth are areas where the enamel has weakened for a variety of reasons. Although one of the most common reasons is orthodontic devices like braces (and the bacteria buildup that can occur under or around the brackets), they can also be caused by factors like your diet or certain conditions like enamel hypoplasia or fluorosis. Most times, white spots are not dangerous to your health. But, if they’re caused by an underlying bad habit or health concern, it’s worth a trip to your general dentist.
How Do I Get Rid of White Spots on My Teeth?
You’ll likely find advice online about how to remove white spots at home, but these can be ineffective at best. It’s always best to see your dentist about cosmetic dental procedures since they can make sure your smile stays safe (and you don’t waste your money!)
For many patients, their first thought is teeth whitening to remove white spots – or at least make them less visible. Unfortunately, whitening can work against you and make white spots more obvious. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist about targeted treatment to only those affected areas.
Although preventing them from forming in the first place is an effective way to do away with white spots, that may not always be an option. Fortunately, at New York General Dentistry, I offer ICON White Spot Removal, which is a professional-grade treatment that removes white spots without pain or drilling.
What Can I Expect with ICON White Spot Removal?
In the past, white spots were removed by methods such as abrading the white spot, drilling out and replacing it with tooth-colored resin or putting a veneer over the tooth. ICON White Spot Removal is a resin infiltration treatment that “fills in” the white spots, or de-calcified areas of the teeth. During treatment, a specialized etching solution is placed on the teeth and removed until the white area is minimized, and then a resin infiltrant is placed and cured. There’s no need for numbing or drilling, and it’s completed within a one-hour appointment.
We haven’t been this excited about a minimally invasive procedure with impressive results in a long time. ICON uses micro-invasive technology to smooth the tooth surface and treat proximal cavities. I recently used it on my office manager’s white spots on her two front upper teeth – with impressive results. The whole procedure took less than 45 minutes with no pain, no downtime, and most importantly… NO drilling.
Meet with My Manhattan Team
My team and I are excited to offer this new solution to white spots at our Midtown East practice. Feel free to call for more information or to schedule your appointment online or call us at (212) 838-0842 to get started!
By Dr. Inna Chern