Onlays and inlays are treatments that have been designed for the treatment of damage teeth as well as for restoring their natural appearance.
Inlays
This will treat the decay within your cusps. They are made of materials such as gold, composite resin and porcelain. Composite resin or porcelain is usually matched your other teeth so they blend well together. This requires you to visit your dentist twice. On the first visit, the impression is made of the tooth which is then sent to the lab for the inlay to be made. Before this a temporary one will be placed. Once the inlay is ready, you will return to the dentist so that the inlay can be bonded permanently to your tooth. This treatment can be used to replace your old metal fillings.
When metal fillings are replaced with porcelain inlay, your dentist will be able to preserve you natural teeth. Additionally, porcelain inlays give you a natural look and the teeth become stronger unlike the metal filling Porcelain will not expand or crack with cold or hot foods meaning your teeth will not crack. Inlays resist biting down forces and offer your gums perfect contours.
Cost of inlays depends on:
Dentist - who will be doing your procedure as some dentists are more experienced and the fees they charge you will be a reflection of their training and experience.
Material being used - gold is an expensive choice and porcelain will be expensive too if been fabricated by a technician who is highly skilled technician.rnSize – large inlays will cost you more than small ones.rnLocation - this also influences the cost as some places are cheaper than others.
Teeth being treated - your back teeth are harder to work on than the front teeth so you will be charged more
Onlays
These are similar to inlays as they are used for the treatment of damage and decay. The main difference between the two lies on the amount of area and damage they treat. When the damage to your tooth is extensive and extending to more than one cusp, onlays are used. At times, onlays are referred to as partial crowns and require two dental visits. On the first visit the dentist makes impression of the tooth that is damaged and places a temporary one. During the second visit, your custom made onlays is secured to your tooth. This may be made of porcelain, gold or composite resin depending on your budget.
They are usually more durable than dental fillings but like all forms of restoration, they may weaken the structure of your tooth. When you take care of your onlay, it could last for three decades and the best way to preserve it is through regular dental visits, flossing, brushing and good oral hygiene.rnTherefore, they are cheaper alternatives to crowns. When dentists prepare the onlays, they try to save as much of your tooth as they can. Below are some added benefits of
Onlays:
Stability – they are stable and strong. The resilient material and superior fit make them a good choice for strengthening your teeth. This is because your dentist will not have to reshape the whole tooth.rnPreservation of natural tooth – for longevity in function, your dentist will preserve tooth structure as they restore decayed or damaged areas.
Size – as it cures, your composite filling will shrink whereas porcelain onlays or prefabricated gold will not.rnColor – chances of it discoloring are minimalrnEase of cleaning – your onlays are made to fit which makes it easier to clean.
They rarely fail and your
dentists at Beaverton are best at ensuring this by checking all margins are a smooth fit the adjacent contacts being tight. Additionally, the bite is checked to ensure there are no problems related to occlusion.
In conclusion here is a recap of the differences:rnInlays are used by dentists to treat the decay within the cusps of your teeth and used only on the chewing surfacernOnlays on the other hand are used to treat decay on your teeth that has extended to the biting surface of the cusps of your back teeth. Many refer to them as partial crowns.
Both are not ideal for all situation and your dentists at Beaverton are the best choice to help you find a suitable solution.