Strengthen and restore damaged teeth with inlays or onlays
If your tooth is too damaged to support a dental filling, but not damaged enough to require a crown, we may recommend an inlay or an onlay. Inlays and onlays (3/4 crowns) are indirect dental restorations that reinforce an existing tooth. Known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are different than standard fillings because they made in a laboratory and cemented or bonded to the surface of the tooth. Unlike standard fillings, inlays and onlays do not weaken the tooth structure, but actually strengthen it. After this restorative procedure the tooth can bear up to 50-75% more chewing force.
Difference Between Inlays & Onlays
Both inlays and onlays are used to restore damaged teeth but there are differences in the two. Their use will depend on the damage to your teeth. Inlays fit within the grooves between the cusps, hence the name inlay. Onlays fit within the grooves and wrap up and over the cusps either partially or completely, covering more of the tooth’s surface. Your doctor at Ideal Dental Solutions will decide which is more appropriate for you based on the amount of the damage created by decay of your teeth.
Benefits of Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays offer conservative preparation that doesn’t require removal of unnecessary tooth structure. Often with crowns the tooth needs to be reduced so that the restoration fits properly. In addition to their conservative application, inlays and onlays boast functional and aesthetic longevity. They are also easier to clean and are proven to help seal out bacteria better than a dental filling.
Inlay and Onlay Procedure
Much like the preparation for a dental crown, the procedure for inlays and onlays involves preparing the damaged tooth. After a mold or a CEREC 3D image of the tooth is taken and sent to our lab, the inlay or onlay is manufactured according to the exact specs provided. When the restoration is ready to be placed, we will bond it to your tooth and check for a smooth fit and functional durability.
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