Sunrise Emergency & Family Dental Care

1700 Wells Rd, Suite 19
Orange Park, FL 32073
904-586-1234

Our office will be closed after December 15th every day except Wednesday 20th. After January 10th we will only open on Wednesdays until further notice.

1700 Wells Rd, Suite 19
Orange Park, FL 32073
904-586-1234

Inlays & Onlays in Orange Park, Florida

When more than half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.

WHAT ARE DENTAL INLAYS AND ONLAYS?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a dental filling is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

 

HOW ARE INLAYS AND ONLAYS APPLIED?

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. The dentist will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. Drs. Thomasino or Patel will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR INLAYS AND ONLAYS

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire dental crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

DENTAL ANXIETY AND PHOBIA

IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF DENTAL WORK

In fact, some studies show that up to 75% of Americans experience some level of dental related fear and 20% avoid dental care because of it. If you have a fear of dental work, we want you to know that making you feel comfortable and safe at our office is our first priority. Dental anxieties and phobias present themselves in a wide variety of ways, and specific fears vary from person to person. Dental anxiety may be mild to moderate, and often takes the form of a general sense of worry and apprehension when thinking about an upcoming procedure.