Choosing the Right Restoration Treatment.
Inlays and Onlays involve minimally invasive procedures to apply them. Our specialists use specific alteration techniques to preserve more of your natural teeth when these restorations placed. On the other hand, when performing a full crown procedure, a significant amount of tooth may be removed to receive the prosthetic.
The use of preferred porcelain for our inlays and onlays ensures that our trusted dental lab crafts quality restorations for our patients, able to reinforce and restore damaged smiles discreetly. Restoring large cavities with this method provides reliable and durable results, and are often used to replace older fillings with a more biocompatible material.
What’s the Difference?
Deciding what type of artificial tooth filling to apply depends on the location of the tooth that needs treatment. Tooth decay does not affect any one particular area. Our dentists always begin with a comprehensive examination of your oral health to determine when a porcelain inlay or onlay should be used.
Inlays
For issues involving the inward areas of the tooth, common with cavities, an inlay is used to enclose the area after a deep cleaning. When a tooth is chipped or cracked, onlays work well to prevent the flaw from spreading and bacteria reaching the tooth’s interior.
An inlay is pre-formed in a dental lab according to measurements taken by our practice. Next, they are placed on the grooves and cusps of your teeth in a way that feels comfortable and encloses the damaged surface. The doctor will ensure that spacing is perfect and can make minor adjustments as necessary for a better fit. The final step includes cementing the inlay into place, most will last up to decades at a time and can be replaced.
Onlays
A porcelain onlay can be thought as a more convenient form of a crown in the right situations. They are often used during cosmetic enhancements, but like inlays, their purpose is both to restore function and the aesthetics of a smile. All fillings are inspected at routine visits to ensure they are in good condition.
Call today
Alpha Dental Centre wants to provide the dental treatments that best suit your needs. Call today to find out if the use of an inlay or onlay restoration can work for you and take advantage of this convenient treatment!