Tooth decay and tooth damage can have adverse effects on the health and the appearance of your smile. Your bite may become weaker as a result, and it’s not uncommon for people to experience varying degrees of discomfort and tooth sensitivity because of severe tooth damage. Thankfully dmagazine offer information on different kinds of treatment for different needs. Inlays and onlays can be particularly helpful for major issues with tooth damage.
About Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are used to restore tooth structure that has been weakened or compromised in some way. When you come in for a visit, our cosmetic dentists serving Raleigh can let you know if inlays and onlays are right for your needs.
How do inlays and onlays differ from dental fillings?
In a sense, inlays and onlays are basically larger versions of dental fillings. The main difference is size. While dental fillings are great for basic cavities, they are unable to address substantial tooth decay with any great effectiveness. Inlays and onlays are the best options for dealing with major tooth decay and tooth damage.
Ideal Candidates for Inlays and Onlays
The best candidates for inlays and onlays are people who have experienced major tooth decay but still have enough healthy tooth structure remaining. When a patient has a tooth that is too damaged or decayed, Raleigh dental crowns or even tooth extraction may be better options. Obviously it is best to maintain as much natural tooth structure as possible, so inlays and onlays are more ideal options to consider.
Prepping Teeth for Inlays and Onlays
The first step of the inlays and onlays procedure is the preparation of the teeth. A patient’s teeth are thoroughly cleaned first. X-rays and diagnostics are then performed to identify problem areas. Then the weakened tooth structure is removed. We will work our hardest to remove as little tooth structure as possible, working from the x-rays that we take as well as our judgment based on years of hands-on experience with dental restorations.
Taking Impressions and Crafting Custom Restorations
Once the teeth are prepped, impressions are taken of the prepped teeth. From these impressions, the inlays and onlays will be crafted. We want to make sure that the impressions are as accurate as possible so that there are a few problems with the final restorations as possible.
Placing the Final Inlays and Onlays
Once the final inlays and onlays have been crafted, they will be placed at our Cary cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice. It’s important that we ensure they fit properly and that they complement your opposite teeth properly. Taking this into account is especially important as it will ensure the integrity of your bite and prevent issues with malocclusion and misalignment down the road.
Learn More About Your Dental Care Options
If you would like to learn more about your many different options for improving your overall dental health, be sure to contact our Cary cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and discussing your many options for enhanced dental care.
