Early approximal caries is a problem that often goes unnoticed at first glance. Patients usually feel no pain, but on an X-ray it appears as a dark “shadow” between the teeth. In stages E1, E2, and D1 (caries limited to enamel or just into dentin), we no longer have to automatically drill. Thanks to the modern minimally invasive infiltration technique with the ICON Proximal system, we can stop these lesions and preserve the tooth completely without any tissue loss.
How does ICON infiltration work?
The principle is simple yet elegant:
-
Surface preparation – the tooth surface is treated with a special gel that opens the pores in the enamel.
-
Etching and drying – after rinsing, the surface is dried with ethanol to remove moisture.
-
Application of the infiltrant – a low-viscosity special resin (infiltrant) penetrates the porous enamel up to the caries boundary.
-
Polymerization – after light-curing, the infiltrant hardens and seals the enamel pores.
This halts the progression of the lesion, since bacteria can no longer spread deeper. The tooth remains intact, without drilling and without the need for a filling.
How long has the method been available?
The ICON system was introduced by DMG in 2009 and has since been successfully used worldwide. It has strong clinical documentation, and long-term studies confirm that it can significantly slow down or even completely stop the progression of early caries.
Results and advantages
-
Arrests caries without any loss of tooth structure.
-
Painless procedure, usually without anesthesia.
-
Esthetic effect – the tooth surface looks healthy, without white spots.
-
Prolongs tooth longevity, since no traditional filling is placed (which has a limited lifespan and needs replacement over time).
Disadvantages and cost
The main drawback is the higher cost compared to a conventional filling. This is due to the material and the technology involved. Nevertheless, it is worth it, because investing in your health and preserving natural teeth is always the best choice.
Conclusion
Treating early approximal caries with the ICON system represents a revolutionary step in dentistry – instead of drilling and filling, we can stop the problem completely non-invasively. Patients thus preserve their own healthy teeth without tissue loss and without the need for anesthesia.