Inlays and Onlays: The Solution You Need for Damaged Teeth

Inlays and Onlays: The Solution You Need for Damaged Teeth

Dec 01, 2020

Having a healthy smile is a huge boost to your confidence and overall health. However, certain issues, such as tooth decay or cracks, weaken your teeth’s structural integrity. This typically leads to more damage and, at times, infection.

Thanks to modern dentistry, you don’t have to worry about such issues anymore. There are many solutions for damaged teeth within general dentistry in Stony Brook, NY, such as dental inlays and onlays.

Dental inlays and onlays in Stony Brook, NY, have changed countless smiles and have helped patients regain confidence and maintain the structural integrity of their teeth.

Understanding Dental Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations that are referred to as partial crowns. You may have been told by our Stony Brook dentist that you need an inlay or onlay instead of a filling to treat your cavity. An inlay/onlay is used when you have a big cavity, and a filling will not get the job done properly.

A filling is typically used when the cavity is small. On the other hand, porcelain crowns are the best choice when the teeth are severely damaged and need to be covered to protect them from further damage.

However, there are cases where the cavity is neither small enough for a filling or severe enough to warrant the use of a dental crown. This is where inlays and onlays come in handy. They are the best option for these situations.

Inlays are an excellent solution for repairing small fissures. They can also be used to restore the structural integrity of a tooth instead of using a filling.

If your tooth has undergone a considerable amount of damage, then onlays are an ideal solution. Onlays fit within the tooth and spillover on the cusps and grooves of the affected tooth’s surface.

Who Needs Them?

Our Stony Brook dentist may recommend that you get an inlay/onlay if you have the following dental issues:

  • Cracked or chipped teeth that a filling will not be able to repair, but the damage is not severe enough to warrant a crown.
  • Tooth decay that is moderate or severe. Fillings can be used if the tooth decay is mild.

Types of Inlays and Onlays

Originally, inlays and onlays were made from gold. Now, you can pick the inlay/onlay material you want, depending on your preferences. They can be created from the following materials:

  • Gold

Gold used to be the chosen material because it is sturdy and durable. Inlays and onlays made from gold can withstand extreme chewing forces and last longer than composite and ceramic inlays and onlays. Since gold is strong, it is considered the best option for back tooth restorations. The only issue is that it is not aesthetically pleasing.

  • Composite

Composite inlays and onlays are fashioned from powdered glass and acrylic. They are aesthetically pleasing since they look like your natural teeth. They come in different shades so that each patient can get the shade that matches their tooth color. The downside is that they are not stain-resistant and are less malleable than porcelain inlays and onlays.

  • Porcelain

Porcelain or ceramic inlays and onlays are designed to blend in with the rest of your teeth. They are tooth-colored and come with desirable aesthetic value. They are an excellent material for front teeth restorations. Porcelain is also stain-resistant, which means that the restored teeth don’t need teeth whitening treatment.

What to Expect During the Visit

Each procedure may differ slightly from each other, depending on the type of inlay or onlay you choose. However, here’s what you can generally expect:

  • Our dentist will numb the area by administering local anesthesia so that you have a pain-free experience.
  • Then, the damaged part of the teeth will be removed. The remaining part of the teeth will be filed down to prep for the inlays and onlays.
  • Our dentist will then take a mold of your teeth to help create the inlays or onlays you need.
  • Once it has been created, our dentist will place the inlay or onlay on your teeth.
  • Lastly, it will be polished and smoothed to restore the sheen and the bite of your tooth.

Inlays and onlays can last for a very long time if you take proper care of them. Take care of them as you would your other teeth. If you need general dentistry in Stony Brook, NY, or inlays and onlays, contact our Stony Brook dentist at Stony Brook Dental Group to book an appointment.

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