Dental inlays and onlays are generally made from porcelain, composite resin, or even gold, and are used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate amounts of tooth decay.
Inlays and onlays can also be useful in restoring cracked or fractured teeth where the damage is not severe enough to consider a dental crown. Inlays treat decay on the cusps, or top projections, of your teeth, whereas onlays treat decay that extends to one or more cusps. Cosmetic dentists often choose inlays and onlays to replace old metal fillings, taking advantage of the tooth-colored materials to create
a more natural looking smile.
Inlay placement usually requires two visits to the cosmetic dentist’s office. During your first visit, your cosmetic dentist will take an impression of your tooth, and place a temporary inlay over the tooth. Next, the dentist sends the impression to the dental lab, where an inlay is created to match your tooth’s unique specifications. On your second visit to the dentist, the temporary inlay is removed and the permanent inlay is placed over your tooth. You may feel some tenderness afterwards, but can resume normal activities immediately.
The advantage of
dental inlays are the natural looking materials from which they are made and the fact that they are completely customizable, so that your cosmetic dentist can bond the inlays to the surface of your tooth in such a way that your teeth are stronger than before and more resistant to bacteria and tooth decay.
The placement of onlays is very similar to that of inlays. An impression of the decayed tooth is taken, and your cosmetic dentist will place a temporary onlay over the tooth while waiting for the permanent onlay from the lab, which is available on your second visit to the dentist. The permanent onlay is, of course, securely bonded to the tooth using high-strength dental resins.
Onlays are also very natural looking and help to conserve the tooth’s natural structure. But the biggest benefit comes from the onlay’s ability to save multiple damaged teeth, allowing the individual to avoid crowns, bridges, dental implants, and more extensive repair work.
If you have large areas of tooth decay, why not
consult with a cosmetic dentist about porcelain inlays and onlays? They are an excellent solution to tooth decay because of their strength, durability, and aesthetic qualities. If you live in the Mew York, Manhattan or Queens areas, Dr. Michael Iott is available to consult with you.
Click here to contact his offices immediately and
schedule your consultation today!
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