Cosmetic Dentistry: Why Inlays and Onlays?
When it comes to treating dental decay, inlays and onlays help eliminate tooth sensitivity and potential tooth loss. Cosmetic dentists use inlays and onlays because they look great, wear well and help preserve as much of the tooth structure as possible. As the old adage states, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” When a cosmetic dentist diagnoses an inlay or onlay, the patient is receiving state-of-the art dentistry. Advances in dental technology in the last fifteen years have enabled the discovery of durable materials that imitate the look, feel and texture of enamel, such as porcelain and resin.
Inlays and Onlays Color
Inlays and onlays are a perfect blend of form and function, providing an array of benefits. The foremost esthetic advantage is that inlays and onlays look like enamel and are custom made to match the color of the existing tooth structure. Due to the durability of the innovative materials used with inlays or onlays, these restorations do not become discolored with continuous daily dental wear and tear. Standard dental fillings often times need replacement due to the damage caused by discoloration.
Inlay Onlay Customization
A dental laboratory customizes the inlay or onlay according to the impression taken from the tooth. As a result, inlays and onlays seat perfectly into the affected area. The tiny structures of an inlay or onlay resemble small, finely crafted sculptures that have a superior customized fit. These finely crafted structures offer a secondary means of repairing decay between teeth without affecting the patient’s flossing area. Before the advent of these innovative restorations, a full coverage crown was the only way to treat tooth decay extending into a flossing area, meaning that the patient would lose a large portion of their existing tooth makeup.
Dental Oral Hygine
Because of their durability and design, inlays and onlays allow patient’s to maintain their oral hygiene at a superior level. Inlays are utilized between the teeth and are easy to clean and floss around. Standard composite (or white) fillings tend to shrink over time, making them hard to keep clean. Full coverage crowns also alter in color over time and can absorb stains, also making them hard to clean. Meanwhile, the indirect inlay or onlay method allows the restoration to fit perfectly into the tooth and ensures that the repair does not shrink or discolor over time.
CCosmetic dentists are interested in increasing oral health while repairing damaged areas in the mouth. Inlays and onlays provide an optimal means of maximizing healthy tooth structures, while minimizing the amount of tooth decay. Perhaps the most important factor in using an inlay or onlay is the durability of this restoration. The materials used in the lab allow this filling-like material to function almost as a crown; crowns and inlays/onlays share a similar material make-up and are both considered indirect methods of remedying tooth decay. In case of damage to weaker areas of the tooth (such as the cusp), patients can benefit from an onlay restoration in order to have additional strength and support.
Consult a dentist near you
Because of their strength, durability and aesthetic quality, porcelain inlays and onlays are an excellent solution for severe tooth decay. If you would like to learn if an inlay or onlay can benefit you, call us or consult a top cosmetic dentist in your area.
