Resin Infiltration Techniques for Managing Dental Lesions
Summary
Resin infiltration represents a micro-invasive approach to arrest the progression of non-cavitated enamel lesions by occluding subsurface porosities with a low-viscosity resin. The technique begins with an acid-etching step to remove the highly mineralised surface layer, enabling deep resin penetration into the lesion body. Once polymerised, the infiltrant reinforces the weakened enamel, reduces permeability, and produces an optical effect that masks the milky white appearance of demineralisation. Clinically, resin infiltration can be applied to post-orthodontic white spot lesions, initial proximal carious lesions and fluorosis defects, offering a conservative alternative to restorative intervention. Studies have demonstrated improvements in microhardness, reductions in enamel surface roughness and stabilisation of lesion depth, with enhanced aesthetic outcomes maintained over extended follow-up periods. The ease of application, absence of cavity preparation and potential to postpone or avoid traditional restorations underscore the global relevance of resin infiltration in preventive and restorative dentistry.
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Resin Infiltration Techniques for Managing Dental Lesions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in resin infiltration techniques for managing dental lesions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Resin infiltration: Use of a low-viscosity, light-curable resin to penetrate and fill subsurface enamel pores.
White spot lesion: A non-cavitated area of enamel demineralisation appearing as an opaque, chalky opacity.
Etching: Application of acid to partially dissolve the enamel surface, facilitating resin uptake.
Penetration depth: The extent to which resin permeates into the lesion body, influencing mechanical support and masking efficacy.
Microhardness: A measure of enamel surface resistance to indentation, indicative of mineral density and mechanical integrity.
References
- Aesthetic caries infiltration – Long-term masking efficacy after 6 years. Journal of Dentistry (2023).
- Effect of Bleaching on Resin-Infiltration-Masked Artificial White Spots In Vitro. Journal of Functional Biomaterials (2024).
- Efficacy of resin infiltration to mask post-orthodontic or non-post-orthodontic white spot lesions or fluorosis — a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations (2021).
- Surface roughness and microhardness of enamel white spot lesions treated with different treatment methods. Heliyon (2023).
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