Inlays and onlays are types of dental restorations preferred for teeth that are too damaged for conventional dental fillings, but not damaged enough to require crowns. Inlays and onlays fall under the category of “indirect restorations.” That is, they are manufactured inside a lab and fitted onto the affected teeth, as opposed to direct restorations, which are applied directly to the affected tooth.
Inlays fit neatly inside the groove of a back tooth, while onlays extend over the cusps of the premolars or molars.
If you want to save your damaged tooth before the decay or crack gets too out of hand, give Dental Partners of Brookline a call today. Our dentist is highly experienced in this form of restoration and will have your teeth looking as good as new in just two appointments.
The procedure for fitting inlays and onlays is the same—the only difference, as mentioned before, is the area of the surface that the restorations cover.
During your first appointment, our dentist in Brookline, MA will assess your oral cavity to determine whether everything is in good shape. More pressing issues, such as periodontal disease or cavities that require root canal therapy, will be addressed before moving on to the inlays and onlays.
After an initial assessment, our dentist will clean out your tooth to remove all signs of decay. This step requires anesthesia. We offer different anesthesia options to guarantee your comfort and relaxation during this procedure.
The dentist afterward takes a mold or impression of your teeth that will be used in the design and manufacture of your inlay or onlay. A temporary filling is used to protect your teeth in the interim period as you wait for your inlays or onlays to be ready.
During the second appointment at Dental Partners of Brookline, the dentist will remove the temporary filling and fit the inlay or onlay over your teeth. Once the dentist determines that it’s a good fit, dental cement is used to bond the restoration to the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are durable and can last as long as fifteen years with proper care. Unlike traditional dental fillings, inlays and onlays strengthen teeth, leading to better dental health and fewer chips and cracks in the future.
Inlays may be made from different materials, including gold and other metal alloys, composite resin, and porcelain.
Give Dental Partners of Brookline a call if you’d like more information, or to schedule an appointment with our dentist.
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