In this preventive dental treatment, an inlay only is used to repair a damaged tooth offering a natural-looking, long-lasting alternative to fillings and crowns. These procedures are common when a tooth has damage that is too great for a filling yet not enough for a full crown. This article will touch on what inlays and onlays are, why you want them for your dental care needs, the steps involved with getting an inlay/onlay put into place, as well as how cosmetic dentist in Pleasanton,CA can help improve your overall oral health.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlay are both custom-made dental restorations created from a variety of materials such as porcelain, composite resin, or gold. They are custom-made and fit exactly in the hollow of a tooth prepared. Inlays are used to fill cavities in between the cusps (the raised points) of a tooth while onlays extend over one or more cusps, offering additional coverage. Although both restorations are bonded to the tooth, so they provide strong and long-lasting dental solutions.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlay are known for their durability. These are crafted out of advanced materials and they resist breaking or wearing down at the same rate as many conventional fillings. That makes them a perfect choice for repairing high-stress molars and premolars. Inlays and onlays also offer the benefit of being color-matched to your natural teeth, ensuring a flawless result. Consequently, they end up saving a lot more of the natural tooth structure than crowns do during prep.
The Inlay and Onlay Procedure
Traditionally, inlays and onlays were made with impressions of your teeth taken and then sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. On the first visit, your dentist will remove decay or damaged areas of your tooth and then clean out the cavity. A mold of the tooth is then made and sent to a dental lab where an inlay or onlay will be created specifically for this case. A temporary filling will be placed to protect the tooth until your final restoration is ready. The second visit is to remove the temporary filling and bond the inlay or onlay with a strong adhesive. The same day your tooth is prepared a temporary restoration will be placed while the custom shall undergo in our lab creating a highly polished, snug, and comfortable fit.
When Are Inlays and Onlays a Good Idea?
In addition to cavities, inlays/onlays can often be used for moderate tooth decay or fractures as well as large fillings that need replacement. This makes them a great choice for patients looking for an alternative that lasts and also looks like teeth. Onlays may be used in place of a crown for some individuals that conserve more tooth structure yet offer adequate coverage and strength.
Maintaining Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlay maintenance is a simple, common-sense approach to good health and sound mouths. Continued scratching and flossing are important to avoid decay too as gum disease from the redesigned teeth; You also need to see your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings. Chewing hard and sticky foods would help to maintain the restoration. Inlays and onlays are a cost-effective option that can last many years when properly cared for, offering dependable dental restoration in the hands of an experienced dentist.
In short, inlays and onlays are strong alternatives to fillings as well as crowns allowing for a longer-lasting restoration option but also offering an aesthetic solution. They act as a replacement for filling and crowns because they encompass the right amount of strength and coverage. To maintain more of your remaining teeth. If you are currently considering dental restorations of any type, do get in to confer with your dentist regarding whether full-coverage crowns and onlays offer the best choice for your unique needs. Provided you take care of them without any exception and are responsible, they can do wonders for your oral health along with a great natural smile.
