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Inlays and Onlays Williston Park NY Did you know that every cavity is different? That's why there's more than one solution for dealing with cavities, and the experts at can help you discover the best treatment for you. While minor cavities are easily rectified through fillings and severe decay with dental crowns, other cavities are neither severe or mild. We recommend consulting our dental professionals to learn more about inlays and onlays if this is the case. Although fillings and crowns are effective solutions to tooth decay, inlays and onlays are the latest and fast-rising treatment options for cavities. It's essential first to understand traditional fillings, to understand better how inlays and onlays work. Traditional FillingsTraditional fillings are considered the most basic restorative procedure, where the dentist removes the damaged portion of the patient's tooth structure. When you come in for a filling, our dentist will replace the extracted decayed tooth with a composite resin designed to resemble and function like natural teeth. We recommend having a filling done to alleviate the risk of future dental problems or further damage to other parts of your mouth. After your filling session is completed, you will be able to use the tooth for many more years, as long as you adhere to a comprehensive dental hygiene routine. What is an Inlay/Onlay?If a filling would offer too little protection or a crown offers too much protection, inlays and onlays offer the best alternative solution for restoring your teeth and saving its natural structure. They require less preparation of the teeth than a full-blown crown restoration. Inlays are used to repair the chewing surface of a back tooth and mend larger cavities when conventional fillings wouldn't be strong enough. These deep fissures can easily trap plaque, food, or bacteria which causes decay that often develops into cavities on these surfaces. An onlay is similar to an inlay but is larger. It is suitable for repairing cusps (the pointed protrusions on the top of the back teeth). What is the Process for Getting an Inlay or Onlay?A dental expert should perform both inlay and onlay procedures to enhance the rate of success and lower any risk of further damage. When the patient comes in for a checkup, we will assess the severity of the damage to determine the best course of action. We use cutting-edge dental equipment to customize an inlay that's the exact size and shape of the space left inside the tooth, preventing bacteria and food from entering and wreaking havoc. Inlays and onlays are similar to crowns in that they are prepared by technicians rather than our dentist. At your initial appointment for an inlay or onlay, you will have any decay addressed before a temporary filling is placed until it can be sent off to make molds which will create custom-fitted pieces made just for you. When you return to have your inlay or onlay affixed, the dentist will remove the temporary filling and place the inlay or onlay. It is secured permanently to the tooth using a light-activated adhesive that forms a strong bond. After your appointment, you need to avoid hard foods for 48 hours until the bond is secured. In addition, ensure that you avoid beverages of extreme hot or cold temperatures. What Are Inlays Made Of?There are several options for the materials used in inlays and onlays. You may choose based on durability, strength, or aesthetic qualities balancing longevity, cost, and the cosmetic result. Many people opt for a material that can be color-matched to their teeth to give a natural-looking result. Thus, choosing ceramic porcelain or composite resin is a good option in these cases. Gold metal is also an option that can give your mouth some bling while providing durable protection against damage like cracks or chips - although the look is not necessarily to everyone's taste. There is no one perfect material because preferences vary from person to person. However, we will discuss the pros and cons with you, so you are able to make your own informed choice. How Long Do Inlays Onlays Last?Inlays and onlays can restore your teeth to their full structure, function, and appearance so you can eat, bite, and chew food without impediment. With good care, they can last for up to 15 years. Who would benefit from an inlay/onlay?Inlays and onlay are tooth restorations that tend to be used when decay is too large for fillings but generally too small for crowns. The number of teeth remaining from any decay or damage should be just enough to support the inlays and onlays for you to undergo the procedure. It is also effective when there is extreme tooth damage, and other forms of restoration cannot apply. Any person is eligible to undergo treatment for inlays and onlays to restore their teeth, regardless of age and gender. You should, therefore, not hesitate and risk losing your teeth due to extreme decay. Maintaining Oral Hygiene is KeyRegardless of whether you have restorative dental treatments or not, it is of enormous benefit to your long-term oral health to maintain a clean, healthy mouth to prevent diseases that affect your teeth and gums. A twice-daily brushing and flossing routine with regular visits to the dentist will ensure you will keep your mouth as hygienic as possible and help to keep disease at bay. It is vital for us to regularly schedule visits to the dentist to get ahead of any dental issue that threatens our oral health. This will allow the dentist to assess the degree of any cavity that has developed since your last visit and determine the most effective solution. Do You need an Inlay or Onlay?Long Island Smile offers inlays and onlays to restore the appearance, function, and health of your teeth. If you have a damaged tooth, an inlay, onlay, filling, or crown could be the right solution. Without an exam, it is hard to determine which of these restorative applications is right. If you have a damaged tooth that needs repairs, do not wait to contact us. The longer you do, the worse the damage will be, and at some point it will cross the line into requiring an extraction rather than a repair. Call Long Island Smile at (516) 243-7473 before that happens and find out more about these restorative dentistry treatments. |
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