Inlays and Onlays
Dental Inlays & Onlays: Durable Tooth Restoration Options
Dental inlays and onlays are categorized as indirect fillings. These types of dental restorations are similar to traditional fillings, but they are more extensive and can cover more of the tooth area. Dental inlays and onlays are a more conservative restoration procedure than dental crowns. Inlays and onlays do not require as much removal of the healthy tooth structure as crowns do. SmileScapes Dentistry provides dental inlays and onlays in Alpharetta, GA to patients who have teeth that have been damaged or are decayed. These types of dental restorations are typically used when a cavity is too large for a traditional filling but does not necessarily require a crown. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dental team will evaluate the situation and determine whether our durable dental inlays and onlays are the right solutions for your unique situation.
What Are Dental Inlays?
Dental inlays are a type of restorative, pre-molded filling that fits into the grooves of your tooth and between the cusps of the tooth. Dental inlays are used to treat cavities that are located in the center of your tooth rather than the outer edge or cusp. Our dental professionals will typically recommend dental inlays for molar or premolar teeth that have been broken, fractured, decayed, extensively damaged, or injured. We use dental inlays to replace portions of the missing tooth. The materials that we use for dental inlays include porcelain or composite resin that we design to match the existing aesthetic of your teeth to ensure that your teeth maintain a comprehensive look even after the procedure is complete.
Dental Onlays Explained
Similarly to dental inlays, dental onlays are used to restore teeth that have been damaged or decayed. However, dental onlays cover a larger surface area of the tooth. The area that dental onlays cover typically includes the chewing surface and the cusps of the tooth. If the cusp of your tooth is damaged, our dental team will most likely recommend that you get a dental onlay because an inlay or a filling is unable to be used. Additionally, our team may recommend a dental onlay to avoid removing excess amounts of the healthy parts of your tooth, which is what a crown would do. So if a crown is unnecessary, a dental onlay is a great alternative solution.
Custom Dental Inlays & Onlays for Stronger Teeth
When you come to our dental office in need of a dental inlay or onlay, our dental professionals will create a custom-made tooth restoration for you. Our inlays and onlays are durable solutions made of either porcelain or composite resin. If an inlay or an onlay is necessary, our dental team will place the custom-made material either in the crevice of your tooth or on the biting surface and bond the material to the tooth. This is to ensure the inlay or onlay’s durability and longevity. Our dental inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth instead of weakening it the way that some fillings do. If you need a long-term dental solution to a damaged or decayed tooth, we have got the solutions for you. Visit our dental team when you make an appointment with us today.