What is mobile dentistry?

Mobile dentistry brings dental care directly to patients who cannot easily travel to an office, using portable equipment to provide exams, cleanings, and treatment in the home or a care facility. It is designed for homebound patients, seniors, and others with mobility challenges, ensuring they can maintain oral health without the difficulty of transportation to a dental office.

Who can benefit from house-call dental care?

House-call dental care benefits homebound patients, seniors with limited mobility, individuals with disabilities or complex medical conditions, and anyone for whom traveling to an office is difficult or impossible. It is also valuable for families caring for an aging parent who can no longer manage dental appointments on their own. We bring care to wherever the patient lives.

What treatments can be done at home or in a facility?

Many services can be provided on-site, including exams, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, denture fittings, relines and adjustments, and care for tooth pain or infection. More complex procedures may still require an office or specialist, but a great deal of routine and comfort-focused care can be delivered in the home or facility setting.

How do I arrange dental care for an elderly parent?

Contact us to discuss your parent's needs, mobility, and living situation. We coordinate scheduling with you and any caregivers or facility staff, and we communicate clearly about what care is recommended. Our goal is to make arranging dental care as simple and stress-free as possible for families managing the needs of an aging loved one.

What dental issues are common in seniors?

Common issues include dry mouth, often caused by medications, which raises decay risk; root decay along exposed root surfaces; gum disease; ill-fitting dentures; and difficulty maintaining oral hygiene due to limited dexterity. Addressing these protects comfort, nutrition, and overall health. Regular care helps catch and manage these problems before they worsen.

Why does oral health matter so much for seniors?

Oral health is closely linked to overall health, especially in older adults. Poor oral health can affect nutrition, contribute to infections, and is associated with conditions like heart disease and pneumonia. Comfortable, functional teeth or dentures also support eating, speaking, and dignity. Maintaining oral health is an important part of healthy aging.

How much does mobile or senior dental care cost?

Costs depend on the services provided and the visit setting. The treatments themselves are priced similarly to in-office care, and there may be an additional fee for the convenience of on-site visits. We provide clear pricing in advance and can discuss insurance, including how Medicare and supplemental plans may or may not apply to dental services.

Do you work with caregivers and facility staff?

Yes. We coordinate closely with family caregivers and care facility staff to schedule visits, understand each patient's needs and medical history, and follow up on recommended care. Clear communication with the people supporting the patient is essential to providing safe, consistent, and compassionate dental care for seniors and homebound individuals.

Can patients with dementia receive dental care?

Yes. We provide gentle, patient care for individuals with dementia or cognitive challenges, adapting our approach to keep them calm and comfortable. We work with caregivers to choose the best time and setting and to communicate in reassuring ways. Maintaining oral health and comfort is important for these patients, and familiar surroundings often help the visit go more smoothly.

Ceramic inlay restoration being placed on a back tooth to repair moderate damage

General Dentistry

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are restorations that fall between fillings and crowns in size and purpose.

Inlays and Onlays Explained

Inlays and onlays are restorations that fall between fillings and crowns in size and purpose. At Nova Dental Care of Vienna, we use inlays and onlays to repair teeth that have damage too large for a traditional filling but not severe enough to require a full crown. Made from porcelain, gold, or composite materials and fabricated outside the mouth, they offer a more durable and conservative restoration option than large fillings while preserving more natural tooth structure than crowns.

The difference between inlays and onlays is the area they cover. An inlay fits within the cusps (the raised points) of a back tooth, similar to a filling but made in a lab for a more precise fit. An onlay covers one or more cusps in addition to the area between them, extending up over the chewing surface to protect a more significantly damaged tooth. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns because they protect a substantial portion of the tooth without covering the entire visible surface like a full crown.

Modern inlays and onlays are typically made from porcelain or zirconia, which look natural and bond strongly to the tooth. The procedure usually takes two visits: the first for tooth preparation and impression, the second for placement of the lab-made restoration. Some practices offer same-day inlays and onlays using CEREC or similar in-office milling technology. With proper care, inlays and onlays typically last 15 to 30 years, often outlasting traditional fillings significantly while preserving more natural tooth than crowns require.

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Before and after comparison showing a tooth restored with a natural-looking porcelain inlay

Inlays and Onlays Approach

When a tooth has damage that's too large for a filling but doesn't truly need a crown, many dentists default to a crown anyway because it's faster and more familiar. At Nova Dental Care of Vienna, we believe in matching the restoration to the actual damage. An inlay or onlay preserves significantly more of your natural tooth structure than a crown while providing comparable strength and longevity for medium-sized restorations.

We work with experienced dental labs to fabricate restorations that fit precisely and look natural. For onlays especially, where a portion of the tooth is replaced, we focus on color matching and proper anatomy so the restored tooth looks indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth. We also discuss the trade-offs between inlays, onlays, and crowns honestly so you can make an informed decision about which restoration is right for your specific situation.

Completed porcelain onlay restoration blending seamlessly with surrounding natural tooth structure

Four simple steps, every time.

From the moment you sit down to the moment you leave, here's what a routine cleaning and exam looks like at our Chantilly office.

Evaluate

We examine the tooth, take X-rays, and determine whether an inlay, onlay, or different restoration is the best choice based on the extent of damage.

Prepare

Under local anesthesia, decay or damage is removed and the tooth is shaped to receive the restoration, then impressions or digital scans are taken.

Fabricate

A custom inlay or onlay is made in a dental lab from porcelain, zirconia, or composite material to fit precisely.

Place

The custom restoration is bonded permanently to the tooth, restoring full strength, function, and natural appearance.

Inlays and Onlays FAQs

Let's keep your smile healthy.

Due for a cleaning, or overdue? We'd love to see you. Request an appointment and our team will be in touch to find a time that works.

Request AppointmentCall 703-938-7615