How to Use Inlays and Onlays to Repair Damaged Teeth

Your smile is the first thing someone notices about you. Therefore, your smile must always remain healthy and aesthetically sound. The slightest tooth defect becomes noticeable at first glance. Consequently, you must always ensure that you get treatments done at the earliest.
Now the question is how to make your smile look aesthetically pleasing! Cosmetic dentists use inlays and onlays plano to enhance the looks of your smile and to make it look good aesthetically. Let’s understand how inlays and onlays help to improve your smile.

What are inlays?

Inlays restore teeth in conditions where the cavity is too large to be fixed by ordinary restorative materials. An inlay is a single solid piece that is cemented over the tooth. It fills the cavity and helps your teeth perform their normal functions. These inlays may be made of resin, composite, gold, or porcelain. A dentist recommends inlay when there is minimal damage to the tooth surface.

What are onlays?

Onlays are more or less similar to inlays. The only difference is that you place inlays over standard tooth structure while you place onlays over the cusps of a tooth. An onlay is a pre-molded filling that a technician curates outside the mouth and cement over the tooth’s surface. An inlay may be made of gold, porcelain, or resin. A dentist recommends onlay when the biting surface of your tooth or the cusps has been damaged.

Types of dental inlays and onlays

Earlier, inlays and onlays plano were made out of gold. But because of the expenses, the use of gold later diminished. Now the materials used for inlays and onlays are:

• Composite

The Composite matches your tooth color and is powdered glass. Your dentist will select a shade that resembles your tooth structure and create an inlay or onlay that is aesthetically suitable. One disadvantage of composite is that it quickly gets stained. It can also not withstand forces as much as porcelain can.

• Ceramic

Ceramic is also tooth-colored material that dentists use for restoring your lost tooth structure. Dental ceramics are stain resistant, and hence you may not need to get them bleached or whitened now and then.

When should one plan to get inlays and onlays?

There are times when you may follow all oral hygiene practices and still end up having a damaged or decayed tooth. These are unavoidable situations. You may plan to get inlays and onlays plano when:

• The damage to your tooth has been immense, and thus putting a filling won’t restore it to normal. If the structural integrity of your tooth is damaged by decay, you may need to go ahead with an inlay or onlay.
• Suppose your tooth structure has been damaged such that the damage has resulted in wearing off the surface. But it isn’t extensive enough to create space for putting up caps or crowns. You may get inlays and onlays done from Plano top dental.

Advantages of inlays and onlays

There are many reasons why your dentist may advise you to get inlays or onlays. Let’s understand a few of the advantages that inlays and onlays offer.

• Conservative restoration

Inlays and Onlays are conservative restorations that help you save the original and natural tooth structure as much as possible. They are more conservative as compared to dental crowns and caps.

• Provide strength and durability

When you get a dental filling done, they use material such as amalgam for the purpose, while inlays and onlays are done with porcelain. Porcelain is a very durable material that strengthens your tooth structure so that it can bear occlusal strain without much wear.

• Better marginal adaptation

When you get amalgam filling done, you may realize that it expands and contracts with temperature change. This may result in weakened tooth structure. Porcelain, which is used as an inlay or onlay, on the other hand, undergoes minimal changes. Thus, they are a better and more stable solution to your tooth restoration troubles.

• Tooth-colored

Inlays and onlays can be used in the place of amalgam restoration. Dentists match the shade of porcelain they may use to fabricate inlays and onlays. These colors are similar to your natural enamel. This means that you will never feel underconfident because of the color of your tooth restoration, unlike amalgam.

• Cost-effective

The money you invest in an inlay and onlay will be worth the charges because the material will last for years. Also, most dental insurances cover the cost of these, thus saving you from huge expenses. Although the amount of money you spend on inlays and onlays will be higher than a typical restoration, you will realize that it is still worth the time and money.

• Easy maintenance

Maintenance and care of inlays and onlays don’t demand any special measures. You have to look after them just like you would for any natural tooth structure. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss and rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash. Also, ensure that you visit your dentist twice a year to help diagnose oral troubles if any.
If you face any trouble with your inlays, such as crack, pain, or filling becoming loose, immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist and visit Plano top dental for proper treatment and care.

Conclusion

The maintenance of oral health is as essential as the maintenance of general physical health. Sometimes you may become ignorant about your oral health, leading to high risk and increased trouble. Whenever you face any issue such as toothache, ulcers, etc., you should immediately contact your dentist and schedule a visit.

Inlays and Onlays are the new trendy restoration many dentists do these days. They ensure that the restoration resembles tooth color, thus saving you from an aesthetically poor smile. There are many advantages to using inlays and onlays for restoration such as the added sturdiness and stability. However, prevention is still better than cure, and hence you should take proper care of your oral hygiene to save yourself from getting all these inlays, onlays, and restoration. Read more about What Distinguishes Onlays From Inlays?

Give Us a Call!

Are you looking for Dentist in Plano, TX? Call Plano Top Dental for a free consultation by calling (214) 241-4017. Also you can book an appointment for dental services. We’re located at 8000 Coit Rd #200, Plano, TX 75025. Read our dental care blogs to get more information.