Dental Inlays and Onlays
If more than half of your tooth is missing or the decay is large enough to undermine tooth integrity, a composite filling is no longer your best treatment option. However, you also don’t need the full coverage of a dental crown. Instead, you can restore your tooth with inlays or onlays.
Inlay/Onlay Restorations
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that offer a well-fitting, strong, and long-lasting solution to tooth decay. While dental fillings are molded into place within the mouth during a single dental visit, inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab before being fitted and bonded to the damaged tooth. A dental inlay is similar to a filling and fits inside the cusp tips (or top edges) of the tooth. A dental onlay is more extensive and extends over the cusps of the treated tooth.
Reasons for Inlays/Onlays
Some reasons for needing to restore a tooth with an inlay or onlay include:
- Large or failing restorations
- Lost fillings
- Fractured cusps
Benefits of Inlays/Onlays
There are countless advantages of restoring your smile with inlays or onlays. Some of their most noteworthy benefits include:
- Durability
- Strength and stability
- Aesthetic coloring
- Superior fit
- Seals out bacteria
- Protects weak teeth
- Makes teeth easier to clean
Contact Family & Implant Dentistry of Stuart for more information about inlays/onlays or to schedule an appointment today.
