Dental Inlays & Onlays
Palo Alto, CA
Inlays & Onlays in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 You are probably aware of the use of crowns or fillings to get rid of cavities and tooth decay. Fillings are suitable for small cavities while dental crowns are best for fractures or severe decay.
Inlays and onlays, on the other hand, are used when a filling would be inadequate and a crown would be extra. At Palo Alto Oral Health, our doctors and Dr. Sharma we are experienced professionals who can conduct a thorough dental exam and offer the best solution.
What Are Inlays?
Inlays are made to fit into the chewing part of a damaged or infected tooth. An imprint of the area is taken and transported to a laboratory to produce the inlay.
An inlay is customized to perfectly make its way inside the hollow of the tooth without affecting the cusps. When taking the impression, we try to match the hue of the inlay with that of your original teeth as accurately as possible.
Inlays are usually created from either composite or porcelain, which is more sturdy and reliable than fillings. Inlays are chosen when a filling fails to support the neighboring teeth and the cavity requires more robust material.
What Are Onlays?
Onlays are used when both the tooth cusps and the biting surface are damaged or decayed. They are preferred when a cavity is too large to be treated using amalgam fillings, or when the tooth is prone to cracks.
An onlay fortifies the tooth and safeguards the decayed area. Unlike inlays, onlays impact the cusps and the spaces in the middle as well.
The tooth is prepared for an onlay similar to the way it is prepared for a filling. A numbing anesthetic is applied inside the mouth. Following that, the cavity is drilled out and the area is cleaned.
A temporary onlay is fit into the site while the imprint of your tooth is used to manufacture a permanent one. An onlay shields the tooth structure in a non-invasive manner, as opposed to a crown which needs filing and, at times, removal of cusps.
Why Are Inlays And Onlays Performed?
Here are the most common reasons for getting an inlay or onlay:
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Cracked or chipped teeth: If your tooth damage cannot be properly repaired with fillings but does not need a complex treatment like a root canal either, an inlay or onlay may be a good solution.
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Tooth decay: If plaque and tartar develop over your teeth, bacteria may thrive there. They tend to release acid that ruins your teeth. While fillings can be used to eradicate moderate decay, for deep decay you may require an inlay or onlay. |
Benefits of Inlays And Onlays
Inlays and onlays offer stronger protection than dental fillings, and are non-intrusive as compared to dental crowns. Here are the major advantages of inlays and onlays:
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They need less tooth reduction as compared to crowns.
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Inlays and onlays are created from porcelain and can fortify your tooth up to 75%.
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They are simple to maintain and can be treated just like your natural teeth.
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They are shade-matched to closely resemble the neighboring teeth. |
Inlays and onlays are affordable options and catered to by a majority of insurance plans. If a damaged tooth is causing you trouble, schedule an appointment with us at Palo Alto Oral Health by calling us at (650) 321-9693 today.
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