March 27, 2021

Inlays & Onlays to Restore Decayed Teeth

Usually, fillings are used to fill small cavities, while crowns are used for deeper decays or if there’s a bigger fracture to be covered up. However, there happen situations where fillings may not be enough, but a crown is too much to protect the decay. In such situations, dental Inlays and Onlays are the best way to restore the decayed tooth.

Inlays and Onlays are a type of indirect restoration of teeth. They are made out of the mouth as one solid piece that matches the specific size and shape of the cavity. This piece is then cemented in the place of that decayed tooth. This process is actually an alternative to a direct restoration usually used for molars or premolars. It is performed when the tooth is experiencing too much damage to support a basic tooth filling, but not so much damage that a crown is necessary.

Inlay Restorations

Inlays are custom-made filling made of composite materials like tooth-colored porcelain. It can be utilized to conservatively repair the teeth that have large defectives or teeth damaged by decay. This is actually an alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Inlays are conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed as a part of inlay restoration.

Onlay Restorations

Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays and sometimes referred to as a partial crown. Onlays are essentially similar to inlays with the exception that for onlays one or more of the chewing cups have also been affected and want to be included within the restoration.

Reasons for Inlay & Onlay Restorations:

1. Broken or fractured teeth.

2. Cosmetic enhancement.

3. Decayed teeth.

4. Fractured fillings.

5. Large fillings.

One of the benefits of inlays and onlays is how durable and long-lasting they will be. Even though Inlays and Onlays have some similarities, they serve specific & unique purposes. Hence they are great alternatives to fillings, crowns, and other dental restoration options.