Patients who had orthodontic treatment as children may notice white spots on their front teeth. These are called hypocalcification lesions, and depending on their severity there are several options for treatment. If patients aren’t bothered by the esthetic, there is no harm in just leaving the whites spots alone! They are a little more prone to cavities because the enamel is weaker, but because they’re on the front of the tooth they’re usually kept quite clean. 

The most conservative and safest white spot treatment is ICON Resin Infiltration, but results can vary depending on the depth of the lesion, which is unfortunately only clear when we begin treating it as we can’t detect depth on an x-ray. 

If ICON doesn’t work, or if it’s apparent that it isn’t an option, the next most conservative treatment is a white bonding (“composite restoration”). This treatment removes the white spot and replaces it with composite resin that matches the shade of the rest of your tooth. Bondings may need to be replaced in the future if they get stained or chip over time. 

The most dramatic solution is a ceramic veneer, which offers the most beautiful final esthetic but sacrifices tooth structure. A well-made veneer looks natural and blends in flawlessly with the rest of the smile.