The regular use of teeth is bound to cause deterioration in the structure and texture. Apart from chewing food, teeth help to speak distinctly and in boosting self-confidence. Modern dentistry has advanced miles, and restoration of worn-out teeth is easy. A dentist near you can provide you restorative dentistry options to set right a worn-out tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
In dentistry, both dental Inlays and Onlays are forms of indirect restoration of teeth prepared outside the oral cavity and are cemented as a single solid piece to match the size of existing teeth or oral cavity.
Of late, the customary dental procedure involved getting dental fillings or crowns to fill in dental cavities or dental decay. Crowns are used to fill in smaller holes or hollow spaces, while crowns are used to support bigger or deeper fractures in the teeth. There might be a situation when the dental filling is not sufficient to cover up the cavity, or the crown is too big to cover the hollow space. Inlays and Onlays find application in such places.
What are Dental Inlays?
Dental inlays are a new generation option to restorative dentistry. Dental inlays are pre-molded dental fillings that are placed inside the grooves or hollow cavities of the teeth. Besides being a painless and non-invasive treatment, dental inlays can be fitted in a short period and do not need much aftercare.
Inlays are administered under the influence of local anesthesia, and the dentist numbs the affected area to minimize the chances of pain. The cavities are removed, and the hollow cavity is cleaned thoroughly. An impression of the teeth’s top area is taken to prepare customized inlays in a dental laboratory.
Dental inlays are made from composite resin or porcelain that resembles natural teeth. More durable than customary dental fillings, the inlays are almost an invisible form of restorative dentistry and are inexpensive than other forms of restorative dentistry.
Dental Onlays
Onlays are similar to the inlays in filling up cavities, but onlays extend to the chewing surface of the back of the teeth. Onlays were previously made from gold. Still, modern-day Onlays are made from ceramics or porcelain. Onlays can fill up large cavities or grooves on the chewing surface for a single or more teeth cusps. Onlays are raised above the gums and are custom-made as per the structure of your dental network.
Onlays last between ten to fifteen years and are durable than most other dental restorative processes. Onlays are beneficial when a tooth is too damaged to be filled by dental filling and not damaged enough to be repaired by a crown.
The procedure of administering onlays is done under the influence of local anesthesia. The decayed debris is removed from the hollow cavities of the affected tooth. A temporary onlay is placed after taking an impression of your teeth so that the onlay fits correctly. The dentist’s second visit is made to replace the temporary onlay with the permanent one, which provides a better fit.
When to Choose an Inlay?
Even if you maintain rigorous oral health and attend the dentist regularly, damage to the teeth might occur. Dentists are the best person to guide you with restorative processes. Dental inlays are recommended when:
- The level of injury that does not allow good scrapping or removal of enamel to support a crown.
- The damage is extensive, and a large dental filling might adversely affect the adjacent teeth.
- A fractured, damaged, or decayed tooth that does not affect the cusp of the teeth.
When to Choose a Dental Onlay?
Onlays can be a substitute for dental crowns and can be used for these reasons:
- To form a protective covering for dental implants.
- To improve the aesthetic value of otherwise yellow or stained teeth.
- To replace a knocked-out tooth.
- To ensure that dental bridges do not slip.
- To provide structural support to a weak tooth.
Dental Office for Inlays and Onlays
Pearly Whites of Pearland provides a new patient special package at $49, including comprehensive dental examination and x-rays to determine cavities. Pearland dentist offers top-notch dental care, and all our staff is fluent in English and Spanish to enable you to converse smoothly. You may book an appointment online or call us to schedule one too.
We also welcome patients from the nearby communities like Shadow Creek Ranch, Almeada Heights, Morningside Place, Brookside Village, Pearland, Trinity Rose Lane, and Clubhouse Drive.
