Dental restorations are critical in restoring your smile and confidence and preserving oral health. Inlays and onlays are some of the advanced treatments dentists offer for a healthier and more beautiful smile. They are an excellent alternative to crowns and fillings, giving you more strength, aesthetics, and durability. They are ideal for people with moderate to advanced structural damage and tooth decay.
Inlays and onlays are customized dental restorations that offer a cosmetically appealing and practical solution that conserves your tooth structure while enhancing its performance. Thus, they will heal your tooth damage and blend with your remaining natural teeth, giving you a faultless finish. This is because they are meant to match your tooth's exact color and structure. They come with many benefits and disadvantages you should know about before making an informed decision.
If you need a perfect dental restoration treatment in Santa Clarita, our experts at Valencia Advanced Dentistry at Copperhill Smiles can help.
An Overview of Dental Onlays and Inlays
Tooth damage is a common issue that affects millions of people across the globe. Some people’s teeth are damaged in accidents, while others are damaged by the foods they consume or poor oral hygiene habits. If you consume sugary and starchy foods and do not practice good oral hygiene habits, you will likely have a cavity on one or more of your teeth. If your tooth is fractured in an accident or due to teeth grinding and you do not seek immediate treatment, the damage can extend to the point of losing the entire tooth.
Fortunately, dentists have various solutions for damaged teeth. The treatment your dentist recommends depends on the cause of your tooth damage, the extent of the damage, your preference, and your budget. Although most dental restorations are costly, some are costlier. Also, some dental restorations work better than others. You have to take time to understand your options to make an informed decision. You can also speak to your dentist about your preferences, desired results, budget, and any other concerns for guidance in choosing the proper treatment.
Inlays and onlays are examples of dental restorations available for damaged teeth. They are advanced treatments for moderate to severe tooth damage. Dentists use them to repair or restore decayed or damaged teeth. Typically, dentists recommend inlays and onlays if the extent of tooth damage is severe. Thus, if a simple filling cannot repair your damaged tooth and the damage is not too severe for a dental crown, you could be the right candidate for an inlay or onlay. Your dentist will extensively examine your tooth and its underlying structures to recommend the most suitable treatment.
Inlays and onlays serve different purposes. They are used in various applications depending on the location of the damaged tooth. An inlay can fit within a tooth’s grooves and crevices, making it an ideal treatment for its biting surface. Thus, if the damage to your tooth is on its biting surface, your dentist will likely recommend an inlay. However, inlays are only suitable for tooth damage that does not extend to a tooth’s cusp. If the damage is more extensive, you could benefit more from an onlay. Onlays can cover one or several of a tooth’s cusps. This is why they are referred to as partial dental crowns.
Types of Dental Inlays and Onlays
Dentists offer various types of inlays and onlays to allow their patients to choose what they prefer the most. Once your dentist diagnoses your tooth damage and recommends an inlay or onlay, they will discuss your treatment options in detail to ensure you make an informed decision.
The different types of inlays and onlays are made from various materials. You must understand the pros and cons of each type to choose wisely. Your main choices will include the following:
Composite Resin Inlays and Onlays
Most delta restorations are made of composite resin because the material blends perfectly with natural teeth. Inlays and onlays of this material will look and feel like your natural teeth. Thus, you and others will not notice the restoration after the treatment.
Composite resin restorations have an aesthetic appeal that makes them blend effortlessly with your natural teeth. They will not change how you look or feel.
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
Dental restorations made from porcelain are also popular. Porcelain is famous for its natural appearance and strength. These should be your choice if you need a visually pleasing restoration that will last a long time.
Golden Inlays and Onlays
These are uncommon, but some people prefer them for what they represent. If you do not mind a conspicuous restoration, you can choose this. In addition to the added sophistication of a golden restoration, you will enjoy biocompatibility and excellent durability.
The Treatment Process with Inlays and Onlays
When seeking treatment for any dental or oral problem, the dentist must first examine your teeth and gums to determine the cause of your problem. This is what will happen before your dentist recommends inlays or onlays. They must determine the cause of your tooth damage, the extent of the damage, and other possible treatments that could benefit you. They must also examine the damaged tooth’s underlying structures to recommend a treatment to fix any underlying problems. Your dentist will then discuss your options and help you narrow down to the most ideal treatment for your damaged tooth.
If the damage is not severe enough for a dental crown but more than dental fillings can fix, an inlay or onlay is recommended. Whether you will receive an inlay or an onlay depends on the type of damaged tooth. If the damage is extensive or on a tooth's biting or chewing surface, you will likely benefit from an onlay. If you have an underlying dental or oral issue, your dentist will treat it before installing an inlay or onlay. They will also discuss what to expect during and after the treatment to keep your mind at rest.
Installing onlays and inlays involves a detailed approach by a skilled dentist to preserve much of your natural tooth. The dentist must determine the extent of the damage to determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Once the treatment option is chosen, your dentist will prepare your teeth for the installation. If you have a cavity, the dentist must remove the affected part of the tooth for proper installation. This preparation also stops the spread of the cavity, protecting the remaining part of the tooth from further damage. After the preparation, the remaining part of the tooth forms a stable base on which the installation is done.
Once the dentist prepares the damaged tooth, they will make impressions of your teeth to determine the shape and size of an onlay or inlay needed. The impression is used in a dental lab to create the actual restoration for the damaged tooth. It must depict the contours and dimensions of the damaged tooth to ensure it fits accurately after the installation. Creating inlays and onlays in a dental lab takes a few days. Your dentist must cover the prepared tooth with a temporary restoration to protect it from further damage and ensure your tooth remains functional before the installation.
You will return to the dentist’s office for the installation once the inlay or onlay is ready. Your dentist will replace the temporary restoration with a permanent one. They will evaluate its appearance before permanently installing it on the damaged tooth. If necessary, your dentist will make a few alterations to the inlay or onlay to ensure it fits perfectly on the prepared tooth. They will bond the restoration to the prepared tooth using a strong dental adhesive. Once the restoration is in place, you can enjoy the full functionality of your tooth.
Remember that inlays and onlays feel, look, and function like natural teeth. Thus, you will not experience any changes in the appearance of your teeth after the installation. They will enhance your smile, confidence, and your teeth functionality.
The Advantages of Inlays and Onlays
Dentists recommend inlays and onlays because of the many benefits they offer. If you have a damaged tooth, you can restore it using this treatment for the following benefits:
They Preserve Natural Teeth
Natural teeth are more beautiful and functional than artificial teeth. Dentists work hard to preserve natural teeth in all their treatments. Tooth extraction is always recommended as a last resort when other treatments fail to deliver the expected results.
Dental restorations like inlays and onlays aim to preserve your natural teeth' structure. They are applied in moderate teeth damage, whereby much of your natural teeth are intact. When preparing your tooth for an onlay or inlay, your dentist does not remove much of your natural tooth, only the damaged part. The installation restores what has been lost to the damage. Thus, you continue enjoying much of your natural tooth after restoring your damaged tooth using an inlay or onlay.
They Are Durable and Strong
Inlays and onlays are some of the most vital dental restorations around. Their strength matches that of your natural tooth. You can continue using your teeth after the restoration as you would before the treatment. This means you can enjoy the same foods you have enjoyed for years without worrying about damaging your treated tooth.
Additionally, their durability and strength mean a significant saving for your time and money. Although these are not cheap restorations, they will remain strong and effective for years after the installation. This means you will not need to look for or pay for a replacement almost immediately after the installation.
They Have a Great Aesthetic Appeal
Your teeth serve more purpose than chewing and biting. They improve your facial appearance and brighten your smile. If your teeth are damaged, they do not function as well as healthy teeth. However, a good treatment for damaged teeth can restore the lost functionality and appeal. This is precisely what inlays and onlays offer.
Inlays and onlays are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth. They are as beautiful as your natural teeth and can be matched to the exact shade of your teeth. After the restoration, you will enjoy enhanced beauty, smile, and self-esteem. Remember that dentists have inlays and onlays from porcelain and composite materials, which look exactly like natural teeth.
They Are Customized for a Perfect Fit
Inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab after the dentist takes impressions of the damaged tooth. This ensures a perfect fit in the damaged tooth. Your dentist will permanently bond the restoration on your prepared tooth once they are sure it fits perfectly. Thus, you will be fine with a more extensive restoration or a transformed tooth structure.
Dentists also consider the exact shade of your teeth to create restorations that match your natural teeth. The restoration will not be noticed, allowing you to smile broadly and freely after treatment.
They Conserve the Natural Tooth Material
When preparing your teeth for inlays and onlays, your dentist aims to preserve much of your natural tooth. They only remove the damaged part of the tooth to prevent further damage and make it easy to install the inlay or onlay. Thus, the entire process conserves your natural tooth. Remember all your natural teeth' benefits, including beauty, strength, and functionality. You continue to enjoy those even after treatment.
Dental Issues You Can Fix with Inlays or Onlays
Inlays and onlays are used in a wide range of dental applications. For example, they are helpful in the treatment of the following dental conditions:
Repairing Decayed Teeth
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental issues around the world. It occurs when harmful bacteria damage your tooth's enamel and penetrate the underlying structures to damage more of your tooth. Tooth decay starts slowly and worsens over time. You can treat it at the onset or in its moderate form before it escalates.
Your dentist can recommend inlays or onlays, depending on the nature and severity of your tooth decay. The goal is to preserve much of your natural tooth, prevent decay from worsening, and restore your natural beauty and tooth's functionality.
If your tooth is moderately damaged by a cavity and the cavity is too large for a dental filling, you could benefit from an inlay or onlay. However, if the damage is severe and much of your tooth has been lost, your dentist can recommend a dental crown.
Restoring Damaged Teeth
Inlays and onlays are mainly used to restore damaged teeth. Dentists use them to restore a natural tooth's shape, beauty, and functionality after damage. If you were in an accident and part of your tooth chipped off, or you have a broken tooth, your dentist can restore it using an onlay or inlay. Your restored tooth will work just like its natural form because inlays and onlays are designed to mimic natural teeth in beauty and strength.
Replacing Old Fillings
If you have had a filling for years and it is slowly changing your natural tooth’s appearance, your dentist can replace it with a more aesthetic option, like an inlay or onlay. Older fillings do not work effectively to protect your tooth from further damage by cavities. Thus, a replacement is necessary to keep your tooth and the adjacent ones safe from harmful bacteria.
Your dentist will recommend an inlay or onlay, depending on the location of the older filling. They will discuss your treatment options and the procedure to ensure you understand what to expect during the restoration. Instead of replacing an amalgam filling with a similar treatment, you can choose a more modern restoration that enhances your tooth’s look, feel, and functionality.
Enhancing a Tooth’s Strength
The strength of your natural teeth is essential, as this determines their biting and chewing ability. If your teeth are weak due to damage, your dentist can recommend restoring their strength using an inlay or onlay. The additional reinforcement from the inlay or onlay keeps the tooth strong for years. You can replace the restoration once it starts wearing down to keep enjoying strong and more beautiful teeth. Additionally, you must take good care of them for a long time. For example, you must maintain a healthy diet and good oral hygiene to protect the treated tooth and your other natural teeth.
Find a Competent General Dentist Near Me
Are you or someone you love seeking the best solution for your damaged teeth in Santa Clarita?
General dentists have several solutions for damaged teeth, including filings, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns. Dentists recommend ideal treatments based on the extent and location of the damage. They must examine your teeth and gums to recommend the proper treatment for your damaged tooth.
At Valencia Advanced Dentistry at Copperhill Smiles, we recommend inlays and onlays for moderate tooth damage. They offer many benefits, including strength, beauty, and durability. Our competent general dentists can explain the restoration process, the pros and cons, and what to expect after treatment to help you make a more informed decision. Call us at 661-775-7717 to learn more.
