Inlays and Onlays
McMinnville, OR
 When Do I Need An Inlay Or Onlay?
Most people know a lot about dental fillings, dental crowns, root canals, and dental implants for their tooth restoration and repair. However, what most people do not know is a different procedure that can help with tooth restoration. Our dental team at Hometown Dental wants to share the knowledge of inlays and onlays with you, as well as when you would need them.
Rather than restoring your tooth from the outside and covering up the damage, inlays and onlays help to repair the tooth from the inside. They are not fillings, but are instead a separate type of dental restoration.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
A dental inlay is a filling that is molded to fit perfectly into the inside of your tooth. Dental inlays are used whenever any dental decay has not sunk into the outer edges of your tooth, and are used to fill cavities.
Onlays are for whenever the damage has progressed outside of your tooth and is on the biting surface or cusp. Both procedures are done the same way in your mouth, with one of our dentists numbing the area with anesthetic and then cleaning the decay out of the tooth. Once that is done, we will insert a temporary onlay or inlay.
Our team will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to get the permanent inlay or onlay made up for you. After a week, you will come back into the office and our team will install the permanent inlay or onlay into your mouth. It only takes two quick and easy sessions to get your new inlay or onlay installed.
When Do You Choose An Inlay Or Onlay?
One of the major reasons that our dentists will push you to choose an inlay or onlay is because fillings can weaken the structure of your teeth. If the damage to a tooth is extensive, and a filling would weaken the tooth structure, then inlays are recommended. They will do the exact same job as a filling but will not weaken the tooth at all. In fact, they will strengthen it!
Additionally, if the cusps are not affected by the damage to your teeth, then we will recommend an inlay to make sure that they stay intact. Inlays and Onlays are the best choice for very large and damaged areas that have been ruined by decay, while the more common fillings are only good to heal very small cavities and smaller areas.
Taking Care Of Your Inlay Or Onlay
Once you have gone through the procedure and gotten your Inlay or Onlay installed, then you can get to work with caring for it. You can brush, floss, and care for the affected tooth as if it was a normal tooth, and good oral hygiene habits will make sure that your mouth stays safe from cavities.
If you want to know more about your restorative options, please contact our dentists at Hometown Dental by calling 971-287-3477. Our team is happy to help you out, and let you know what tooth restoration procedure is the best for you. |
