Inlays & Onlays You may have a dental filling done to repair a cavity in your tooth. If that filling starts to fail frequently, a dentist may suggest that you upgrade to an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are used in situations where a cavity seems to be quite large to the extent that a simple filling cannot do the trick. Often, inlays and onlays are made outside the mouth, and that is why they are called indirect dental restorations, unlike fillings that have to be placed directly in the teeth without having to fabricate in a lab. At The Strongsville Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, our dental team will install inlays and onlays depending on the size as well as the depth of the cavity. Materials for Inlays and OnlaysDifferent materials may be used to make inlays and onlays. Dental inlays are often created of custom-made material and so are dental onlays. Our dentist considers using onlays if the cavities are large and spread over tooth cusps. Inlays are used to fill smaller cavities that do not spread over the cusps. Some of the materials that are used in making onlays and inlays are composite, gold, and ceramic. Inlay and Onlay Placement ProcedureInlays and onlays are able to increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. When placing the restorations, our dentist begins by removing any filling material that has failed or is damaged. Additionally, the dentist extracts any other cavitated tooth tissue that may be present, which leaves a hollowed-out cavity. The professional goes ahead to prepare and shape the tooth in question, allowing easy placement of an inlay or onlay. The dentist will then obtain impressions of the tooth. The mold from the impression helps determine the kind of material to use for making the onlay or inlay. If the dentist decides to use ceramic, you will need to pick the shade to go with the restoration. A temporary filling is placed while the onlay or inlay is being constructed. That temporary filling seals the cavity, preventing the tooth from further decay and protecting it from thermal stimulation. The next appointment is for the placement of the onlay or inlay. After making the restoration, our dentist calls you for the placement process. The dentist administers a numbing agent, if requested, to help minimize pain and promote comfort during the placement of inlays or onlays. After pulling off the temporary filling material from the cavity, the onlay or inlay is cemented into the tooth. Caring for Onlays and InlaysHow you care for your onlays or inlays determines how long they endure. Usually, after placement, it takes a few days to recover. But because your teeth are likely to build up plaque and oral bacteria, you need to ensure optimal oral hygiene so that the restorations remain strong and clean. Preventing oral disease is key, therefore, you have to brush twice a day, in addition to flossing. You also need to reduce the consumption of sugary foods and avoid acidic foods and drinks. These include coffee, candy, processed foods, dark fruits, and dairy. Last but not least, make sure you keep up with routine checkups at our dental office. These appointments allow our dentist to inspect the restored tooth to see if there are signs of disease, damage, or leakage. Learn more about inlays and onlays by visiting our dental team at The Strongsville Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry. Give us a call at (440) 580-1028 to book an appointment. |
Contact Information11925 Pearl Rd #206 Strongsville, OH 44136-3343 (440) 580-1028 info@drweiser.com Follow Us |
