What is the Difference Between Inlays and Onlays?

When patients have a decayed tooth, they come to our dentist in NW Calgary, who offers them a wide range of treatments to fix the problem.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronicle disease in both children and adults. I’m sure you have met someone who has had tooth decay, or perhaps you have. Sometimes, the cavity is small enough to restore it with a dental filling; other times, there is not enough remnant dental structure to fix it with a filling, and you go for dental crowns; but, what about inlays and onlays in NW Calgary?

Dental Inlays vs. Onlays

Dental inlays are used to replace a small amount of dental structure, and they are tooth-colored, so your tooth looks natural, and it doesn’t look different than your other teeth.

The difference with dental onlays is that they cover a different part of the tooth; besides replacing the tooth structure loss, they also replace one or more cusps of the damaged tooth.

Now, let’s talk about their benefits.

The Perks of Dental Inlays and Onlays

1. Conservative Options

With inlays and onlays, there is no need to remove any additional dental structure, which is the case of a dental crown. When there is not enough dental structure left, and there is no other option than to install a crown, your dentist has to prepare the tooth and remove more amount of healthy structure; otherwise, the crown would not properly cap the dental piece.

A similar situation can occur when a dental caries is very small. In these cases, your dental professional removes the damaged part of the tooth, and he or she may need to eliminate more portion of it, so the resin composite has enough retention.

2. Aesthetics

Nowadays, aesthetics is one of the most important things for a patient. The majority of people don’t want a silver filling and, if they have a worn out resin, they want to change it. Luckily, inlays and onlays work for replacing any old restorations of this kind; and, since they are porcelain, they are resistant to stains and look as natural as possible. Nobody will notice that you had your teeth restored!

3. They Strengthen the Tooth

Porcelain is a very resistant material, much more than a resin composite; therefore, when your dental professional installs an inlay or an onlay in a tooth, the tooth gains strength. These restorations can last 20 years, and even more if you take proper oral care.

Dental composite resins, on the contrary, can last for approximately five years.

Caring for Your Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays don’t need any special maintenance. They will last up to two or three decades if you keep a regular oral care routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, avoid sugary snacks, and don’t skip your dental checkups every six months. Your dental professional will evaluate if your inlay or onlay has any cracks, if they fit properly, and any early signs of an oral problem.

Inlays and Onlays Near Me

If you have any questions or doubts regarding this treatment or want to know more about it, feel free to schedule a consultation visit with us at your earliest convenience. We have a team of excellent and caring doctors that are looking forward to helping you decide what the best restorative procedure is, depending on your wants and needs.

Keep in mind that only a dental professional can determine if an inlay or an onlay will work in your specific case.