When teeth are affected by mild decay, or when old or damaged metal fillings need replacement, many Centerville or Kettering dentists turn to inlays and onlays to meet their patient’s needs.
Onlays are used to restore the areas between the cusps of the damaged or decayed tooth, also using gold or porcelain, which can make them virtually undetectable with the naked eye. Onlays are often preferred over dental crowns or as an alternative to implant placement because they do not require grinding down or extraction of the tooth.
Those who choose to use inlays and onlays will have an aesthetic and virtually invisible restoration. Inlays and onlays do not expand or contract under the influence of temperature variations which happens with other filling materials. This strengthens the normal structure of the teeth. Inlays and onlays can last more than thirty years.
Patients with a cavity between their teeth will often have an inlay recommended to them rather than a composite or amalgam filling, as they are better at completely sealing the tooth in such a tight and difficult-to-clean area.
A mold is taken of the damaged tooth from which the gold, resin or porcelain inlay or onlay is created. The choice of material usually depends upon the area in the mouth. Gold is the material of choice for the molar teeth as they do most of the crushing and grinding in the mouth, and gold is sturdy and long-lasting.
Your Centerville- or Kettering-area dentist will seal and polish the inlay or onlay only after checking the fit and ensuring a normal bite.
Since they fit perfectly to the teeth, are made of sturdy materials, and fight the potential for corrosion within the mouth, they are ideally suited for treating seriously damaged teeth.