Inlays and Onlays

    /24-7PressRelease/ - August 07, 2008 - Modern dental patients have the luxury of choosing the type of filling material they have to repair teeth ravaged by decay. They can chose amalgam fillings, the standby for the past 150 years, or they can choose an option that is nearly invisible and can even help create a brighter, more natural looking smile.

Also known as indirect fillings, inlays, and onlays are more conservative dental restorations than a full dental crown. Inlays and onlays are made out of dental porcelain. They differ from amalgam fillings because they are created in a dental lab, and bonded to the tooth, as opposed to being compressed directly into the cavity. At some cosmetic dentist offices, these restorations are performed the same day, eliminating the need to schedule multiple appointments.

Inlays vs. Onlays

The only difference between these two types of restoration is their size. If they are inside the tooth cusps, and do not extend over a cusp, they are referred to as inlays. If they extend over the top of one or more cusps, they are onlays.

Inlays fill smaller cavities. Onlays repair extensive tooth decay which doesn't yet require a full dental crown. Onlays can also act as a splint for cracked or broken teeth. and provide a new biting or chewing surface.

The Procedure

When done by most cosmetic dentists, the inlay/onlay procedure will take two visits. During the first, the dentist evaluates the tooth and removes any decay. The tooth is prepared to accept the new inlay/onlay and a cast or impression is made of the tooth and its counterpart in the other jaw. The dentist will also decide on a color that closely matches the remaining part of the tooth, making the inlay/onlay virtually invisible. This information is passed onto the dental lab where the appliance is created.

During the second visit, the dentist will test the filling for comfort and good fit. Once bonded on, the inlay or onlay becomes a permanent part of the tooth. Some cosmetic dentists have CEREC technology, which eliminates the need for a second visit to the office.

Care For Your Inlay or Onlay

Good daily dental hygiene routine should be resumed following the restoration procedure. The natural part of the tooth and the tooth root are still susceptible to dental decay. Porcelain restorations may chip or break while eating ice or cracking pits with your teeth, which should be avoided.

Porcelain inlays and onlays are semi-translucent and are not distinguishable as fillings. They maintain and brighten your smile. If see a good cosmetic dentist and have all your old metal fillings removed and replaced with a porcelain that matches your natural teeth, you will be astounded at the different in your whole facial appearance.

Contact the Colonial Dental Group for more information about inlays and onlays and what cosmetic dentistry can do for you.

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