If you have a decayed, misshapen, or damaged tooth, a porcelain crown is not your only option for repair. Dental inlays and onlays can restore your tooth to fully functional, robust, and natural-looking. What more could you ask for from a non-invasive dental restoration in Rye, NY?
The Difference Between Dental Inlays and Dental Onlays
Inlays and onlays are usually made of porcelain or composite resin. (They can be made of gold too, but you gotta have a certain kind of attitude to rock that kind of restoration.) One of the biggest benefits of a porcelain inlay or onlay is that it mimics natural tooth color. You can get a repair without a ton of drilling and reshaping and still end up with a restoration that blends in with the rest of your teeth.
The way dental inlays and onlays are made and applied to teeth are the same. An impression of your tooth is taken and sent to the dental lab so the inlay or onlay can be custom-made. A temporary restoration will be placed so your problem tooth is concealed and protected in between dental visits. The inlay or onlay is then bonded in place once the color, shape, and size are confirmed.
The placement of the restoration, however, is where the two differ.
Inlays are positioned on the top center surface of the tooth where you bite down. They’re like a tooth-colored filling, taking the place of a decayed area of tooth. Sometimes you can choose between an inlay and a filling, depending on the situation and the health of your tooth.
Onlays are much larger restorations. They also cover the top center of a tooth but the onlay is designed to extend over one of more of the cusps of the tooth. This design is why onlays are sometimes referred to as a partial crown. Some patients opt for a porcelain crown instead of an onlay so the whole tooth is covered by the restoration.
Problems That Dental Inlays and Onlays Can Correct
You may resign yourself to filling or crown when a dental inlay or onlay can get the job done just as well. Inlays and onlays can:
- Whiten teeth that have old fillings or are dull in color.
- Replace a filling if you have tooth decay.
- Fill up gaps between teeth.
- Build up a chipped tooth.
- Stabilize deteriorating teeth.
Inlay and onlay restorations correct existing problems and prevent more problems from developing.
Are You a Good Candidate for an Inlay or Onlay?
You know you have a problem tooth but you’re dragging your feet about the repair. Maybe you are resisting because you don’t want to pay for a crown or you don’t want another filling. Dental inlays and onlays can give you peace of mind in both ways.
Find out if you’re a candidate for this non-invasive dental restoration. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Chi Fu at Chester Hill Dentistry to learn more about the versatility of dental inlays and onlays.