Inlays and Onlays Weymouth MA
If someone suffers a significant injury or experiences tooth decay, the dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay. Let’s look into inlays and onlays and some situations in which your dentist may advise you to get this type of dental restoration.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
You probably know about dental crowns and dental fillings for repairing cavities and tooth decay. But you may not know about some alternatives, such as inlays and onlays.
In most cases, dental fillings are used for filling small cavities, while dental crowns are employed when the tooth decay is deeper, or a larger fracture needs covering. There are also situations in which a filling is not enough for a larger cavity, while a crown may be “overkill.” Inlays and onlays fill the gaps between the “extremes” of fillings versus crowns.
Inlays and Onlays: Fast Facts
- Inlays are larger than conventional fillings that are appropriate for minor tooth decay.
- Onlays are not as large as crowns, which treat teeth that are severely decayed or damaged.
Differences Between Inlays and Onlays
Essentially, a dental inlay fills in cavities in places between the cusps. Not only can an onlay fill cavities in these areas, but it can also cover a larger area, including cusps. Onlays work somewhat like dental crowns without covering the entire tooth surface. They have the same function as crowns and are made from the same materials, but they cover different parts of the tooth to protect it after it has been damaged.
How Are Inlays and Onlays Applied?
Inlays are made from either a composite material or porcelain, which is more durable than conventional fillings. They are molded to the chewing surfaces of the treated tooth and created using an imprint, which is sent to a dental lab for manufacturing.
Your dentist would select an onlay for you if the cavity is too large to fill using traditional amalgam fillings. Onlays can also be selected if a tooth is prone to cracking because of weakness. Onlays strengthen the tooth and protect the decayed area.
To place an onlay, your dentist will drill out the decay, and place a temporary onlay over the cavity. After the onlay has been manufactured and sent back from the lab, your dentist would place it over the treated tooth.
Considerations for Inlays and Onlays
Before getting an inlay or onlay, you’ll need to take some factors into consideration, such as:
Tooth Decay Extent and Fractures
The main factor in determining suitability for inlays and onlays is the amount of tooth damage. In situations where a tooth is too damaged to receive a dental filling, but there is plenty of tooth structure remaining, an inlay or onlay makes a good treatment option.
Tooth-Colored or Metallic?
As with other types of dental restorations, inlays and onlays are available in both metallic and tooth-colored types. The optimal restoration type for your needs depends upon a variety of factors. The ultimate goal is the restoration of your ability to chew and bite, while also protecting your teeth from further harm.