Restorative dentistry has come a long way over the years and there are now several effective ways to fix decayed teeth. In today’s post, we are going to focus on two similar types of restorations: dental inlays and onlays.
Where possible, an inlay or an onlay can be a less-invasive replacement for a complete crown and either one is usually more affordable than a porcelain crown procedure.
Inlays/onlays are “indirect fillings,” meaning that they are created in a lab and placed whole on the tooth. A traditional “direct filling” is applied to the tooth while the material is malleable and then shaped by the dentist.
An inlay is used to correct the surface of a damaged tooth, commonly to fill a small cavity or a natural pit that is at risk for decay.
Typically porcelain or composite resin are used for inlays; these materials are heavy-duty and look very natural because the color can be matched specifically to the surrounding teeth. An inlay is specifically fitted to your tooth and looks, feels, and functions like the original tooth.
An onlay covers a larger part of the tooth. Because they cover such a large area of the tooth, they are often referred to as partial crowns. Onlays are commonly applied to the biting surface of the tooth. Just like inlays, they are exactly fitted to the damaged part of the tooth. Composite resin and porcelain are also the main materials used to create an onlay. As mentioned before, inlays and onlays serve an important role in restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
At The Lewisville Dentist, we provide premium dental care including inlays and onlays. If you have one or more teeth that has a cavity, crack, or excessive wear, call 469-708-4713 to make an appointment today.
Contact The Lewisville Dentist:
214-488-5505
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
297 W FM 3040 Ste 127
Lewisville, Texas
75067
