Dental inlays and onlays are two dental reconstruction options that are available where regular fillings or crowns aren't a good choice.
What are dental inlays?
Aesthetic inlays are natural looking fillings. They are most often done to replace large, amalgam (silver) fillings.
At Willowbrook Dental Clinic in Langley BC, we do tooth enamel repair work, as well as fillings, inlays and other dental procedures.
Are inlays durable?
Aesthetic inlays are made from either composite or porcelain and are strong enough to be placed in the back teeth (molars), meaning that they are very durable indeed!
What are the advantages of inlays?
Aesthetic inlays usually provide all the benefits of a regular filling, while at the same time maintaining the natural beauty of your smile.
Replacing old silver fillings with aesthetic inlays can help you regain that natural beauty for years to come.
What are dental onlays?
A dental onlay is bigger than a normal filling or inlay, but not quite as big as a crown.
Onlays work much like an inlays do, only it covers one or more of the cusps, or even the entire biting surface, of the tooth. Since they cover such a large area of the tooth, onlays are sometimes also called partial crowns.
Are onlays durable?
Dental onlays are actually more durable, and usually last longer, than regular dental fillings do. Nonetheless, as with any dental restoration, they may weaken the tooth's structure, and may need to be replaced over time.
However, if cared for properly, dental onlays can last for up to 30 years.
What are the advantages of onlays?
When a tooth is damaged to the extent that a filling would not be enough, but not so damaged that it requires a crown, an only is a good alternative. This is because placing a dental crown involves the removal of significant amounts of the tooth structure, and this shouldn't be done unless necessary.