Bleaching alone, i.e., whitening with the aid of a gel applied to the teeth, does not lead to lasting success in most cases of tooth discolouration.

However, experiences in practice show that in many cases, combining bleaching and subsequent infiltration treatment with Icon ensures a very convincing aesthetic result.

It is important that you perform the bleaching under the guidance of your dentist. You can then use the bleaching tray the dentist has tailor-made to gently and controllably whiten your teeth at home before the subsequent Icon treatment.

Talk to your dentist about whether combining bleaching and Icon could work for you.

Icon and the caries infiltration method are the subject of a number of international studies, the findings of which have been very positive so far.

Studies by renowned universities corroborate the effectiveness of the caries infiltration principle; independent laboratory studies have been conducted since back in 2000.

Although Icon first became available to dentists in April 2009, the practical use of the product had been tested in clinical trials on patients for more than two years beforehand. The effect had been proven during this period. The findings also indicate very optimistic prospects for long-term caries prevention.

These tests were carried out in numerous countries. Trials were launched in countries such as Greenland and Columbia amongst others.

The particularly high caries rates in the populations tested indicate that Icon works particularly well in countries with good oral hygiene conditions (e.g. Germany).

The findings from these trials indicate that onset caries can be halted for an extended period using Icon.

Icon can be used to treat the onset of caries both in the interdental spaces as well as on the so-called smooth surfaces - without drilling. Dentists can choose from one of two different treatment sets for this: ‘proximal’ (for use in the interdental spaces) and ‘vestibular’ (for use on the smooth surfaces of a tooth).

Icon is not suitable for use where advanced caries are present. This applies in particular to caries that are already visible as a hole in the tooth. In this case, a classic restoration treatment using drilling would still be necessary.

The so-called “caries infiltration” method using Icon works with caries in the initial stages. So, if caries are detected early on with regular check-ups, it can be treated by Icon without drilling.

Icon is suitable for findings that indicate slight caries progression in X-ray images, a symptom for which there was previously no appropriate treatment method. Your dentist can discuss the exact scope of application with you.

Whereas before dentists had no suitable means of treatment and simply had to stand by and watch as caries worsened and restoration work became necessary, now treatment with Icon offers a solution. Icon can postpone restoration work by a number of years.

Icon has been available since April 2009. Many dentists are already working with the product and, as such, Icon is already used extensively in practices throughout Germany.

Since not every practice uses the product, we recommend simply requesting the caries infiltration treatment method with Icon at your dental practice .

Icon enables the pain-free treatment of onset of caries, without drilling and without anesthetic injection.

In order to use Icon in the interdental areas, the teeth need simply to be separated slightly with a dental wedge. Patients treated in this way have described the effect of this as a slight pressure.

Icon was also used in a clinical trial on children and young adults. The trial participants did not mention any pain with regard to the treatment.

Treatment with Icon is a service which, as of today, is not covered by health insurance.

It is ultimately the dentist that determines the price of the treatment. The treatment generally costs a little more than € 100. Such an investment is money well-spent in the long-term, since traditional restoration work after drilling reduces the lifespan of a tooth and often involves costly measures, e.g. dental implants.

Icon is not comparable with traditional restorations since these always require prior drilling and the removal of healthy parts of the tooth.

However, the new method of caries infiltration by using Icon allows the preservation of the healthy tooth substance.

• Icon can be used to treat the onset of caries, without drilling.
• Thus, the life expectancy of the tooth is increased.
• Gentle treatment in only one sitting.

Recent clinical trials revealed that caries treated with Icon will not progress for at least 5 years. The success rate of 80-90% is equivalent to restoration treatment.