Stop Tooth Decay with a Long-Lasting Porcelain Treatment!
Are your teeth not as healthy and strong as they could be? Inlays and onlays are a common dental treatment that may help put you back on the right track. Also known as “indirect fillings,” inlays and onlays can strengthen teeth that have been affected by decay. They are a great solution when a cavity is in the top of the tooth and cannot be adequately addressed with a traditional filling. As a renowned reconstructive dentist, Dr. Julie Jang offers this prosthetic treatment to ensure the tooth does not become weak and does not need a root canal later.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
You may enjoy inlays and onlays to treat tooth decay because they:
- Last longer than most fillings
- Are custom created to fit your tooth perfectly
- Strengthen a tooth that could weaken from decay
- Repair a tooth with a crack or chip
- Preserve more of your tooth’s structure (requiring less enamel removal)
- Do not stain
- Leave less space where a cavity was, making it more difficult for decay to return
How Are Inlays and Onlays Different?
Although inlays and onlays are similar in many respects, Dr. Julie finds it helpful to explain the differences so that you understand which one is right for a particular dental situation.
Inlays are used when your cavity is at the top center of your tooth between the cusps. These porcelain prosthetics fit right between the grooves of your tooth to prevent further decay.
Onlays are for more severe cases of decay (or cracks/chips) since they can cover some or all the cusps of your tooth. They are like a crown, except that they are less expensive and fit over the existing tooth without needing to file down the tooth to fit the prosthetic.
What Can You Expect from an Inlay or Onlay Procedure?
Dr. Julie typically completes this treatment in two appointments. On your first visit, she treats the cavity by removing the decay on your tooth. She then uses her digital imaging technology to create a replica of your tooth. This image is sent to a lab, which creates the porcelain inlay or onlay that fits perfectly on your tooth. Before you leave this initial appointment, Dr. Julie provides a temporary filling or sealant so that your tooth is protected until the inlay or onlay is created.
A couple weeks later, you can return to Harmony Family Dentistry where Dr. Julie will fit your new inlay or onlay on your tooth, ensuring that it is snug and does not get in the way of your natural bite. Once she confirms that the fit is perfect, she uses resin to attach the porcelain prosthetic permanently. She also polishes the inlay/onlay so that it has a smooth texture and looks like your other natural teeth.
Ask an Expert Dentist About Inlays and Onlays
Dr. Julie is a leading dentist in Vancouver, WA who receives glowing reviews from her patients. If you have a cavity on or within the cusps of your tooth and desire a treatment that protects your tooth for longer than a regular filling, please call (360) 882-7866 to schedule an appointment and find out whether an inlay or onlay may be right for you.
