Tooth damage is a prevalent problem for people of all ages. Fortunately, dentists have a wide range of solutions for damaged teeth. The exact solution your dentist will recommend will depend on the type, location, and severity of the damage. Inlays and onlays are excellent solutions for tooth damage, restoring the structure, functionality, and appearance of your damaged tooth. Your dentist can suggest an inlay or onlay if the damage is too extensive for a dental filling but not too big for a dental crown. Understanding these solutions before treatment is beneficial.
At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, we will ensure that you have all the necessary information about inlays or onlays after recommending them for your damaged teeth. We also explain the treatment process, benefits, and risk factors to help you make an informed decision. Thus, you can count on our expertise if you or your loved one needs dental restoration in Los Angeles.
A Brief Explanation of Inlays and Onlays
Tooth damage can occur for various reasons, including improper oral hygiene routines and trauma or damage resulting from accidents. Failure to keep your teeth and gums clean can lead to dental cavities and other severe conditions, such as gum disease, that eventually damage your natural teeth. Dentists recommend immediate restoration of damaged teeth to prevent further damage and restore your teeth’s functionality and your smile. Onlays and inlays are among the various dental solutions available for damaged teeth.
Dentists recommend restorations for damaged teeth based on the severity of the damage. If you have a minor cavity, a dental filling can be used to restore the tooth's structure and functionality. If a tooth is severely damaged, you could require a dental crown for a complete restoration. Inlays and onlays are excellent for moderate tooth damage. Your dentist will perform a dental examination of your teeth and gums to determine your suitability for an inlay or onlay before starting the treatment process. They will also discuss your other options for effective decision-making.
Inlays and onlays salvage the healthy and functional part of your damaged tooth by restoring its structure and strength. They are crafted from porcelain, ceramic, or gold materials to cater to the diverse preferences of dental patients. Each type of inlay or onlay has its advantages and disadvantages, which you should discuss with your dentist to make a good decision. For example, a porcelain inlay will blend in very well with your natural tooth. It does not stain, meaning that the restoration will remain natural-looking for years.
Although inlays and onlays are used for dental restorations for similar types of tooth damage, they are applied in different situations. Inlays are used to cover tooth damage within the cusps of a tooth (the rounded edge of a tooth). They can cover your teeth between two or more cusps, but do not extend to the tips of the cusps. Thus, inlays are primarily designed for localized decay or damage.
Onlays are used to cover damage on a tooth’s surface. They can cover the entire chewing surface and extend to more than one cusp. Thus, you will need an onlay for extensive tooth damage, including tooth fractures that cover more than one cusp. Sometimes onlays are considered partial dental crowns. You could need an inlay or onlay, or both, if your tooth damage extends from the chewing surface to the sides. The exact details of your treatment needs are established during your initial consultation with the dentist.
Generally, restoring your damaged teeth using inlays and onlays requires at least two visits to the dentist’s office. The initial visit is for a general consultation, whereby the dentist explains the type and extent of the damage. They then discuss your treatment options and help you decide the right choice for your needs. During this visit, a general dentist will examine your teeth and may initiate the treatment process by preparing the damaged teeth for restoration.
The preparation involves removing the damaged part of the tooth to prevent further damage and prepare the tooth for restoration. They can create impressions of your prepared tooth to create inlays or onlays that will fit perfectly on the damaged tooth. During the second visit, your dentist will fit the prepared inlay or onlay on the tooth.
Once the inlay or onlay is fixed on your damaged tooth, it restores the tooth’s strength, appearance, and functionality.
Types of Inlays and Onlays
There are different types of onlays and inlays in dentistry, distinguished by the materials used to manufacture them. Your dentist will discuss the various types, together with their advantages and disadvantages, to help you choose what you prefer. The various types are as follows:
Gold Inlays and Onlays
Gold has been the primary material of choice for onlays and inlays. Even with the introduction of other materials, many people still prefer gold for its strength and durability. Gold inlays and onlays offer your teeth the protection they need from further damage. They also restore your teeth’s functionality and boost your smile. You can still choose gold if you do not mind a restoration that is different from your teeth’s color. The restoration will serve you for years without requiring replacement.
Other advantages of gold inlays or onlays are that they are strong and least likely to stain or fracture over time.
Ceramic Inlays and Onlays
Ceramic onlays and inlays are mainly made of porcelain. These are becoming increasingly popular because they have the same color and texture as natural teeth. If you want a natural-looking tooth replacement that is discreet and won't draw attention, a ceramic onlay or inlay is an excellent choice. The natural shine and color of porcelain give you the confidence to smile and socialize after restoration without worrying about your teeth’s appearance.
Additionally, porcelain onlays and inlays are strong and long-lasting. They will restore the strength and functionality of your teeth, allowing you to enjoy them for a very long time. With proper care, a ceramic restoration can serve you for over twenty years, protecting you from the stress and expense of frequent replacements.
Remember that the primary goal of dental restoration is to restore the appearance, texture, and functionality of your teeth after damage. A restoration that blends well with your natural teeth is an excellent choice. The strength of ceramic restorations also protects them from fractures and damage from everyday use.
Composite Resin Inlays and Onlays
These are great alternatives to porcelain and gold inlays and onlays. Composite resin is a popular material that can give you a restoration that can last for a few years. It blends in very well with your natural teeth and is affordable. It provides a discreet restoration for your problematic tooth that can last for a reasonable time.
However, the composite material is not as strong as porcelain and gold. It is also prone to staining and wear, thereby necessitating a replacement after a few years.
After explaining these three options, your dentist will help you make the right choice based on your needs, preferences, and budget.
The Process of Installing Inlays and Onlays
Dental restoration using inlays or onlays requires at least two visits to a dentist’s office. You need a consultation with an examination by your dentist to determine the best solution for the damaged tooth or teeth. Although some tooth damage can be restored using dental fillings or dental crowns, dentists typically recommend inlays and onlays for moderate to severe damage. They are customized restorations that fit perfectly on your damaged teeth and blend well with your natural teeth. Your treatment process for getting an inlay or onlay will include the following steps:
Consultation and Examination
All dental procedures begin with a consultation and examination to ensure a proper recommendation and the development of an effective treatment plan. If you have a damaged tooth or teeth, consult your dentist immediately for treatment or restoration. The damage can occur due to an accident or a cavity. Your dentist will examine the damage and discuss treatment options based on the severity of the cavity or fracture, your preferences, and your budget. If they recommend inlays and onlays, the dentist will explain what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
Tooth Preparation
Your dentist must prepare your damaged tooth for the inlay or onlay. If your damaged tooth has a cavity, its preparation will include the removal of the damaged part. This prevents further decay and creates a smooth surface for the inlay or onlay. The dentist will also remove any plaque on your damaged tooth and damaged tissues. They will also shape the tooth for an easier attachment of the onlay or inlay.
Tooth preparation can be intense, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. The dentist can administer anesthesia to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the process.
Creating Tooth Impressions
Remember that onlays and inlays are tooth replacements that are created in a dental lab. Your dentist needs impressions of your prepared tooth to create restorations that will fit perfectly in the cavity. They will make a mold from the impression, capturing the shape of the damage on your tooth or teeth. The mold will determine the form of the inlay or onlay.
The dentist will then ask you to choose your preferred restoration type, whether gold, porcelain, or composite resin. If you choose porcelain or composite, the dentist must pick the exact shade of your natural teeth to create inlays or onlays that will match your teeth perfectly.
Placement of Temporary and Permanent Restorations
A temporary restoration protects the prepared tooth until the permanent inlay or onlay is ready. Since the creation of your restoration can take a few days, a temporary replacement will keep your tooth safe and ensure you eat and speak with minimal difficulties before the treatment is complete.
You should go back to the dental office once your placements are ready. While there, the dentist will fit the inlays or onlays on the prepared tooth to assess how well they fit. If they do not fit well, the dentist can make some adjustments until they are satisfied with the fitting.
The dentist will use dental cement to secure the inlay or onlay to the damaged tooth. They will smooth the surface for a perfect fit and a smooth feel. Once the procedure is complete, the dentist will assess the restoration to ensure it is precisely as intended. Once satisfied with the results, you may leave the dental office.
The Benefits of Choosing Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays offer several benefits, which you should understand for informed decision-making. Your dentist should discuss the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed choice. They must also discuss possible side effects to prepare you for what to expect after the procedure.
Generally, onlays and inlays are used to restore and protect teeth that have cavities or other dental issues. Although proper dental hygiene is recommended for healthy and strong teeth, you can still develop a cavity. When that happens, it is advisable to seek treatment immediately before the damage affects most parts of your tooth. Inlays and onlays aim to restore a damaged tooth before a cavity compromises it. You get to keep your natural tooth for a very long time after treatment.
Here are the benefits they offer:
Conservation of the Natural Tooth
Your natural teeth are generally beautiful and strong. Dentists recommend several ways to maintain healthy and strong teeth, including practicing good oral hygiene. However, this is not usually a guarantee, especially after tooth damage due to a cavity or trauma. Choosing a dental restoration technique that preserves your natural teeth is highly recommended.
Minimal preparation is needed for the damaged tooth before getting an inlay or onlay. Your dentist aims to conserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. If you take good care of the placements, your natural tooth will remain intact and functional for a very long time.
Increased Strength and Functionality
A damaged tooth is weak and may not function as it should. You need all your teeth to function correctly, allowing you to bite, chew, smile, and talk with ease and confidence. Restoring your damaged tooth with an inlay or onlay increases its strength, restores its natural form, and improves its functionality. Since onlays and inlays are generally made from durable material, your restored tooth will remain strong and functional for years.
You Can Restore Your Tooth’s Natural Look and Feel
Onlays and inlays are customized to fit over a damaged tooth, restoring its form, appearance, and function. Even after a significant part of the tooth is lost due to damage, you can repair it and still enjoy a natural-looking tooth. This is even better when you choose a type of inlay or onlay that looks like your natural teeth. After treatment, it will be as if your tooth were never damaged. This gives you confidence to smile and socialize again after tooth damage.
They are Cost-Effective
Inlays and onlays are not inexpensive; they cost more than dental fillings and can be compared to crowns. However, they are strong and durable, which reduces the need for a replacement soon after the installation. This makes them cost-effective in the long run.
Additionally, your insurance provider may cover part of your treatment if you can demonstrate that the treatment is necessary for a preventive purpose. For example, if an inlay or onlay can protect a cavity from worsening, you can qualify for insurance coverage.
Caring for Your Teeth after Receiving Inlays and Onlays
After fitting an inlay or onlay on your damaged tooth, your dentist will send you home with some after-care tips that will ensure your teeth remain strong and functional for years. Some of the tips you will receive include the following:
- Stick to an excellent oral hygiene routine, comprising brushing your teeth twice and flossing daily
- Watch what you eat, stick to a balanced diet with minimal starch and sugar to protect your teeth from cavities and more serious problems, such as gum disease and oral cancer.
- Ensure you visit your dentist regularly for routine checkups, examinations, and professional teeth cleaning. Your dentist will constantly examine your restorations to ensure they are as strong as required.
Find a Skilled Inlay and Onlay Expert Near Me
If you have a moderately damaged tooth, your dentist can recommend an inlay or onlay. The exact recommendation will depend on the location of the damage. Before restoring your tooth, they will examine your damaged tooth and other teeth, and the health of your gums and underlying structures. The dentist will clean and prepare the damaged tooth for restoration.
At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, our general dentists are experts in inlays and onlays. We have all the information you need to understand what these are, how they work, and the installation process. We can guide you through the treatment process and help you make the best decision for your needs and budget. Contact us at 310-361-2080 if you require treatment for a damaged tooth in Los Angeles. Let us examine your teeth to provide a proper diagnosis and recommend suitable treatment.
