Restorative dentistry offers a wide range of treatment options to deliver the best outcome for any oral health concern. If you’re dealing with serious tooth decay or damage in the form of chips or cracks, inlays and onlays could be the answer you seek. They fall somewhere between fillings and dental crowns, acting as a flexible option for moderate restorative cases.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are restorative dentistry treatments used to deal with tooth decay or damage. Made of custom-made pieces of porcelain, they are permanently attached to the affected teeth, replacing damaged enamel to provide lasting protection. An inlay, in particular, is used to repair the top surface of a tooth and is an excellent option when a typical cavity filling won’t do. An onlay is similar, but it also covers one or more of the cusps of the tooth.
Before placing either restoration, your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing decayed or damaged enamel, along with some additional material, to ensure an even and properly shaped space for the inlay or onlay to fit.
Regardless of which restoration you need, inlays and onlays are both made based on impressions of the prepared tooth. That ensures a perfect fit with enough snugness to prevent any movement. It also provides inlays or onlays that match the shape of your teeth perfectly, so the restoration is practically impossible to notice.
Once your custom inlay or onlay is ready, your dentist will place it using dental cement. The material permanently bonds the restoration to prevent any movement and ensures it can stand up to the everyday pressures of biting and chewing.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays provide a variety of benefits. When dealing with tooth decay, they protect the area and prevent further deterioration by keeping bacteria from reaching the inner layers of your tooth. By extension, they also reduce the sensitivity often associated with weak and thin enamel.
While fillings are often used to deal with cavities, more serious decay can leave holes too large to be handled in such a fashion. Large fillings have a higher risk of wear and damage over time, so fillings are better suited for dealing with smaller cavities. Porcelain inlays and onlays have the necessary strength to fill much larger gaps.
Dental crowns are another option to deal with serious decay or damage, but they require removing a significant amount of natural enamel to prepare the tooth. Keeping as much of the natural tooth as possible is the best outcome in terms of long-term oral health.
Inlays and onlays can provide similar protection and structural reinforcement as dental crowns in many cases. That is particularly true when any decay or damage is restricted to the top of the tooth. Choosing inlays or onlays in these situations dramatically reduces the amount of enamel that dentists must remove.
Beyond all of their oral health benefits, you’ll also find that inlays and onlays offer a truly beautiful restorative option for your smile. Porcelain is an excellent match for enamel, mimicking not just its color but also its natural translucency. The result is a smile that looks simply stunning, as opposed to the less-than-ideal appearance of large fillings.
When to Choose Inlays or Onlays
There are a variety of situations in which inlays and onlays represent a patient’s best restorative dentistry options. These cases typically fall somewhere in the middle in that they are too severe for a dental filling but too moderate to warrant a dental crown.
Dental fillings are appropriate for small cavities, and options, such as dental bonding, are suitable for minor cracks or chips. Beyond that, moderate tooth decay and damage to the top of the tooth can often be dealt with using inlays or onlays.
There is a point, however, where damage can become too severe for an inlay or onlay to be an effective option. While they are stronger than fillings, they don’t provide the comprehensive structural support of a dental crown. If the damage is bad enough or affects the sides of the tooth as well, then a dental crown may be necessary.
The only way to know for sure is to speak with your dentist. They’ll evaluate the extent of the damage and find the right solution for your needs. Restorative dentistry is highly dependent on the specifics of each case, so you’ll need a professional opinion to determine your best choice.
Your Dental Practice in Middletown, Ohio, for Restorative Dentistry
Dental inlays and onlays could provide the best solution for your smile if you’re facing tooth decay or damage. Find the right treatment for your unique case by visiting the best family dentist near Middletown, Ohio, at Great Miami Dental Associates. We’ll develop a custom treatment plan to restore the beauty and function of your smile. Schedule an appointment today to get started.