Infiltration of White-Spot-Lesions and developmental enamel defects

Purpose: To provide an overview of different indications suitable for treatment with the technique of resin infiltration (Icon, DMG), such as white-spot lesions (WSL), enamel fluorosis, and molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), and to propose a valid and strategy feasible in dental surgeries for screening of dental color improvement and -stability. Method: A non-systematic review of the literature was performed to characterise inhibition of lesion progression, and the esthetic effects induced by resin infiltration of decalcified enamel, enamel fluorosis, and molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), using the online database Pubmed and a suitable search strategy. Database search was complemented by a hand-search of references of retrieved articles. Results: Of 34 retrieved articles, 29 were included in the review. Evidence of an assimilation of WSL color to surrounding enamel following infiltration is available on the level of RCTs, and the results were found to be stable in color with no significant changes over at least twelve months. Evidence of an esthetic improvement of fluorotic or MIH affected teeth is available on the level of case reports and case control studies. Conclusion: As a micro-invasive approach to infiltrate and seal different types of enamel lesions, with a subsequent improvement of the esthetic appearance, resin infiltration is considered to be a useful complementation of the dental therapeutic specter.