Your teeth might be the toughest part of your body, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable to damage. Injuries and tooth decay can damage your teeth, inhibiting your oral functionalities. Luckily, advancements in dentistry have made it possible to restore your teeth whenever damage occurs. At Huntington Dental Excellence, we offer porcelain onlays and inlays to improve the appearance of your tooth and protect it from further damage.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays or onlays are a conservative way to preserve a damaged or otherwise compromised tooth. It also improves the appearance and resilience of the tooth. Also known as indirect fillings, onlays and inlays are smaller than dental crowns but are more durable and long-lasting than fillings.
The treatment is “dubbed” an inlay when the material is bonded at the tooth’s center. Otherwise, it’s known as an onlay when the extent of the tooth damage needs inclusion of the cusps or full coverage of the chewing surface. Simply put, an inlay is fitted into the space of a cavity to maximize the chewing capability. At the same time, an onlay extends to the outer edges of the tooth to increase tenacity.
When do I need an onlay or inlay?
If you have a cavity that’s too big for a typical filling or too small for a dental crown, an inlay or onlay could be the perfect fit. Also, if your tooth is chipped, cracked, or broken at the top, indirect fillings could save the day.
You don’t have to worry about aesthetics with our porcelain inlays and onlays. These dental restorations are natural-looking, enabling them to blend perfectly with the rest of your teeth.
The procedure
An inlay or onlay dental restoration can be completed in one visit. We scan the tooth with a camera and send the image to our in-house lab. Our lab uses a CAD/CAM to design and mill your inlay or onlay the same appointment.
Restores damaged teeth with Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
