Brief Summary of Dental Inlays and Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays refer to small structures that are employed for treating tooth damage. The difference between the two is that while an inlay covers the cusp of your teeth, onlays, on the other and, extend past the cusp of the tooth that is being treated. Inlays and onlays have become a top choice for patients that need crowns since these structures are smaller and less obtrusive. Nevertheless, just like crowns, the inlays and onlays can be manufactured from a host of materials, including (but not limited to) composite resin, porcelain and even precious metals such as gold! If you have never had inlays or onlays installed on your teeth, here is a brief summary of what you need to know about this type of restorative treatment.
What are inlays and onlays used to treat?
The main reason why you would need to have inlays or onlays from the dentist is when you need the chewing surface (aka the cusp) of your teeth restored. Hence, inlays and onlays are usually employed instead of crowns when your tooth has succumbed to decay and the dentist needs to eliminate the compromised part of the tooth. It should be noted that other than tooth decay, inlays and onlays could be utilised for a host of other applications including:
- Chipped, cracked or broken teeth
- A compromised filling
- Cosmetic improvement of your teeth
What are the benefits of inlays and onlays?
The main advantage that inlays and onlays offer dental patients is the ability to preserve the structure of your tooth while not making the cusps of your teeth innocuous. In addition to this advantage, onlays and onlays also provide the benefits listed below:
- The inlays and onlays are not likely to discolour for the long-term.
- The inlays and onlays will restore the strength of your damaged tooth.
- The inlays and onlays keep the weakened parts of the tooth protected.
- The inlays and onlays have a much longer lifespan than their crown counterparts do.
Do inlays and onlays require special treatment to stay in shape?
While some other types of restorative dental treatments will require you to be meticulous about there care and maintenance, dental inlays and onlays are some of the most hassle-free options that you can choose. Once you have your inlays and onlays done, all you need to do is stick to your regular oral hygiene routine. You may also want to take up flossing on a daily basis so that food particles are not caught in them.
