Inlays & Onlays
Albany, OR
Inlays & Onlays in Albany provided by Dr. Jeffrey Carl & Dr. Austin Brunson at Jeffrey Carl DMD
 Initially, inlays were used in place of fillings to restore a small area of tooth surface damaged due to decay. They are still preferred for the same reason today and fit inside the tooth structure. They can be made of a tooth-tinted material, for example, porcelain.
Onlays, just like inlays, are restorative tooth procedures, only these extend to the cusps of the tooth on the chewing surfaces. Traditionally, inlays and onlays were made of gold, but recently, people prefer tooth-colored materials that can be bonded to the tooth and help seal them to the teeth. Visit us at Jeffrey Carl DMD for more inquiries on inlays and onlays.
Types of Dental Inlays and Onlays
Most people prefer porcelain material for their inlays and onlays as it imitates the natural tooth color and bonds better to the tooth. It has better retention qualities as it can be etched and secured to teeth with large cavities. Patients who suffer from bruxism highly benefit from porcelain crowns as they are durable and incredibly sturdy. With advances in technology, porcelain inlay and onlay placement has been accessible with better quality and effectiveness.
Gold inlays are still available, though they are not often used due to their cost and shade. Gold inlays, however, offer the best restoration as they are highly durable and strong, so they resist wear even in thin portions. Gold inlays do not require much tooth preparation and look as good as new even after 30 years.
Composite fillings tend to stain, discolor, and wear out quickly compared to gold and porcelain. Composite fillings are often preferred for indirect restorations and are installed within one dental visit. This reduces shrinkage and damage to the neighboring teeth.
Everything You Need to Know About Dental Inlays and Onlays
Typically, dental inlays and onlays are used in restorative dentistry procedures to cover cavities on teeth too compromised to hold a typical dental filling. In insufficient tooth structures, these restorations offer better and stronger results. The significant distinction between inlays and onlays is that inlays only cover the inside of a tooth cavity. In contrast, dental onlays cover holes that extend to the cusps and crevices on the tooth surface. Onlays usually cover a large surface area of a tooth, but not the entire surface like a crown.
These dental restorations are molded outside the tooth and bonded to the tooth using an adhesive. In the molding of inlays and onlays, dentists have to take impressions of the tooth to make it more fitting. Dental inlays and onlays are much more substantial than a dental filling. They are also very conservative as they do not require intrusive procedures like shaping and contouring the tooth, as with dental crown procedures, though they are more costly.
You need to be sure to take care of your oral health after an inlay or onlay placement. Avoid biting down on chewy and hard foods like candy or gum within the first day after the procedure to avoid compromising the adhesive. Recovery after the procedure is usually smooth with minimal complications, especially when given proper care.
Contact Us Today!
Book an appointment with us via (541) 918-2361 or visit us at Jeffrey Carl DMD for more inquiries. |
