Month: September 2018

Do you have a tooth that has been affected by decay, damage, or trauma? Our team at Dental Arts SPB provides a wide range of preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services that help to improve our patients’ smiles. We offer dental inlays and onlays as one option is restoring teeth back to a healthy state. What are dental inlays and onlays? How can they help your smile? How are they applied? Continue reading to learn more about dental inlays and onlays for your smile!

What is an inlay?

A dental inlay is created to fit in between the cusps in the center of an individual’s tooth. They are used to repair a tooth that has decay or is affected by an injury. Applying an inlay involves numbing the affected area and then thoroughly cleaning it out with a dental drill. The dentist near you takes an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to be completed. The inlays can be made from porcelain or a composite resin material that will closely match the natural look and feel of a tooth. Both materials are durable and made to last.

What is an onlay?

A dental onlay is used to cover over one or more cusps and goes over the biting surface of a tooth. These onlays are often referred to as partial crowns due to the amount of coverage they provide. If a tooth’s structure is too weak for a dental filling, then your dentist may recommend an onlay. They can also be used instead of a dental crown. Onlays are made with the same materials as inlays. Therefore, they are durable and natural in appearance, unlike metal fillings. The preparation for an onlay is also similar to an inlay, and the results last for years.

If you need to strengthen your tooth after damage or decay, then contact Dental Arts in St. Pete Beach today for more information on the procedures we provide. Call a member of our staff to set up your next consultation and get on the path to a healthier smile, or book your next appointment online today!

Our mission at Dental Arts St Pete Beach is to provide St Pete Beach, FL dental care for families with a one-stop shop that meets all of your oral care needs. We offer top-notch general dentistry, orthodontics, endodontic treatment, cosmetic dentistry and more. With our experienced team and advanced technology, our patients always receive the best dental care possible. Our goal is to stay current with the latest dental treatments to create smiles that last a lifetime. For that reason, Dental Arts are proud to offer our St Pete Beach patients Icon, one of the newest advances in pediatric dentistry.

Icon Cavity Treatment in St Pete Beach

Children’s dentists use Icon to halt the progression of decay while preventing cavities from getting worse. This method is just one of the many ways we ensure your child’s comfort at Dental Arts St Pete Beach.

What Is Icon Treatment?

As children transition into adolescence, they enter a crucial stage of oral development. By 13, they should have all of their adult teeth. From this point on, their smile should last a lifetime. But one of the biggest threats to a young, healthy smile is cavities. The health threat is even greater if early onset cavities are left untreated.

Icon allows pediatric dentists to halt the progress of cavities early in life so that healthy smiles last. Tooth decay is the result of acid erosion. Mouth acids draw out calcium and cause deterioration. Icon treatment gets absorbed by tooth enamel, fills in the tiny openings and reinforces the tooth structure.

The Benefits of Icon Treatment in St Pete Beach

The primary advantages of Icon treatment for kids include:

• Preserves Healthy Tooth Structure: Early treatment of minor cavities eliminates the need to remove decay by drilling into the tooth. More of the tooth structure remains intact.
• Protects the Tooth: Icon keeps small cavities from becoming bigger problems. As a result, your child’s teeth will avoid damage and last longer.
• Pain-Free: Since Icon treatment is a fast, noninvasive and comfortable procedure without needles or drills, there is no need for an anesthetic.

Kids who receive Icon treatment in St Pete Beach avoid bigger cavities and dental fillings.

How Does Icon Treatment Work?

X-rays are used to detect hidden cavities between teeth. Dental Arts dentists treat this type of decay by first separating the teeth with a special rubber band. The tooth being treated is then prepared with a dental gel. A thin applicator is used to fill the small cavity with Icon.

For white chalky spots on a smooth tooth surface, Icon is an effective cosmetic treatment. White areas treated with Icon are restored to mimic the color of the surrounding natural enamel.

Icon Treatment is used only on budding cavities in the beginning stages. Larger cavities will require a traditional dental filling or some other restorative treatment.