Inlays & Onlays You have probably heard of dental crowns and fillings being placed to fill in cavities or dental decay. But you might not have heard of other alternatives to fillings and crowns, such as inlays and onlays. When you have deep decay or if you have a large fracture, crowns can cover them. Fillings are often used to fill in smaller cavities. That being said, there may be situations when receiving fillings may not be enough. There are also situations when getting crowns is just too much to help protect against dental decay. When this is the case, our dentist at Charlie Hsieh Dental Corporation can use inlays and onlays to fill the gaps. Inlays vs OnlaysAn inlay is used to fill in cavities as well as hollows within a tooth, specifically in the parts between the cusps. On the other hand, an onlay not only fills in cavities within those areas but may also work if you have larger areas to be filled, including the cusps. While onlays work similarly to crowns, often, they do not cover all the surface of your tooth. Both inlays and onlays serve the same function and are constructed from the same materials. The ProcedureOur dentist will remold and fit inlays into the surfaces of your teeth that are damaged due to injury or decay. The dentist creates an imprint of the area, which is taken to a lab for construction of the inlay. The inlay fits perfectly into the space, but it does not affect your cusps. Our dentist will also try to match the color of your tooth. This way, once you have the inlays, they are not visible. When it comes to onlays, they are placed on the tooth if the damage has affected the cusps and the biting surface. You may receive an onlay if you have a cavity that is too big to cover with standard fillings, or if the tooth may crack as a result of weakness. Our dentist will prepare your tooth the way they do with a filling. The dentist drills out the cavity and cleans it up after administering a numbing anesthetic in your mouth. The dentist places a temporary onlay over the cavity before sending the impression for the construction of a permanent onlay. An onlay procedure preserves the structure of your tooth, unlike a crown where some filing is done, or even removal of cusps. How Long do Inlays and Onlays Last?Both inlays and onlays are durable and long-lasting. Your inlay can last between five to 30 years, depending on the material used to construct it. We may not guarantee how long the onlays are going to last because of a number of factors. If your onlay is constructed from porcelain material, it may last a shorter time than one made of a composite material. Also, how you care for the inlays and onlays can determine how long they endure. Caring for Inlays and OnlaysIf you brush and floss as required, you help prolong the life of your inlays and onlays. You should follow any recommendations we give you regarding caring for your onlays. You also need to visit us for a follow-up to see that the inlays or onlays are firmly in place and stable. Make sure you reduce wear and tear on the inlays and onlays. If you grind your teeth during sleep, you can consider wearing night guards to protect the teeth. Avoid hard foods because they can crack the material. Eating chewy foods can allow it to stick to the onlay material, hence loosening the bonds. Do you have a damaged tooth that needs an inlay or onlay? Come to our dental office at Charlie Hsieh Dental Corporation or call (657) 822-0328 for an appointment. |
Contact Information805 W. La Veta Ave. Suite # 208 Orange, CA 92868-3929 (657) 822-0328 chsiehdds@cox.net Find Us On |
