Restorative dentistry has come a long way over the years and there are now several effective ways to correct decayed teeth. In today’s post, we are going to concentrate 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 constructed 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 repair the surface of a damaged tooth, typically 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 tough and look very natural because the color can be matched exactly to the surrounding teeth. An inlay is precisely fitted to your tooth and looks, feels, and functions like the initial 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 accurately 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 Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we provide quality dental care including inlays and onlays. If you have one or more teeth that has a cavity, crack, or excessive wear, call 303-665-5335 to make an appointment today.
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026