Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used inside the indented top surfaces of a damaged or decayed tooth. In some cases, they are a more conservative alternative to full coverage dental crowns. Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays offer a well-fitting, stronger, longer lasting restorative solution to tooth decay or similar damage. These restorations are beneficial from both an aesthetic and functional point of view.
Inlays and onlays are often used instead of traditional dental fillings to treat tooth decay or similar structural damage. Whereas dental fillings are molded into place within the tooth during a dental visit, inlays and onlays are created indirectly in a dental lab before being fitted and bonded to the damaged tooth by Dr. Crystal Dental.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation regarding a possible inlay or onlay for you. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
After tooth decay or damage has occurred, your tooth or teeth should be repaired and restored. There are a few different options for restoration, such as fillings and crowns, but an option that needs to be considered are inlays and onlays. These procedures involve the bonding of a custom restoration to a tooth in a way that strengthens the tooth, instead of weakening it like other restoration options can.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
What are Dental Inlays and When are They Used?
Dental inlays are dental prosthetics, often fabricated with ceramic or porcelain, that are shaped to fit within the grooves of the biting surface of a damaged tooth. These are excellent when there has not been as much loss to a tooth’s surface.
Inlays will help restore the strength of your tooth, allowing you to bite and chew like you did before there was damage to the tooth. The functional strength, along with their cosmetic appearance, make them an excellent restoration option for a damaged tooth.
Why Use an Inlay Instead of a Dental Filling?
While fillings are a restoration option, you might prefer an inlay for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include:
- The inlay will strengthen the tooth, instead of weakening it like a filling might.
- The durability and life expectancy of inlays exceeds a filling.
- The ability of the inlay to visually match the color of the tooth it is being placed on, as well as your surrounding teeth.
- The contour inlays provide for healthy gums.
Discuss with Dr. Crystal Dental about whether inlays or dental fillings are the right option for your needs.
What are Onlays and When are They Used?
When more of the tooth is lost, onlays will be a better option than inlays. An onlay will cover one or more cusps of the tooth, making it larger than an inlay. It will extend to one of the outside edges, or the cusp, of the tooth. If you put your finger into your mouth between your back teeth and gently bite down, the pointy surfaces you are feeling are the cusps of those teeth.
Just like with inlays, onlays are very well-fitted, and can withstand a lot of biting pressure. This makes them perfect for biting and chewing. Like inlays, onlays are also used to treat damage or decay that has occurred.
Why Choose an Onlay Instead of a Crown?
You may be wondering why you should just not choose a crown. One reason for deciding to go with an onlay instead of a crown is the cost. They are less expensive than dental crowns. Another reason is the fit of an onlay. Onlays fit extremely well, allowing you to keep the tooth cleaner, and avoiding future decay. Onlays also allow Dr. Crystal Dental to save more of the natural tooth, which we prefer.
Onlays are not always a better option than crowns. They are usually used to replace a portion of the tooth that is less than 50%. If the tooth that is damaged or decayed exceeds 50%, then a crown most likely will be a better option.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
The Inlay and Onlay Procedure
Before an inlay is designed, the decayed portion of the tooth must be removed. During this step, the immediate area will be numbed to avoid discomfort. Once the decay has been removed, an impression will be made of your teeth that will be sent to a dental lab to have the inlay created. The dental lab will fabricate a perfect prosthetic using the impression and will return it to Dr. Crystal Dental. While this process is being completed, a temporary restoration might be placed if necessary.
When the inlay is finished, the temporary restoration will be removed, and the inlay will be fitted. If the inlay fits properly, the restoration is bonded in place and the procedure is completed.
The procedure for an onlay is identical to the process of having an inlay placed. As with an inlay, Dr. Crystal Dental will remove any decay from the damaged tooth. We will then calibrate the extent of damage to determine if an onlay or a crown would be a better option for restoration. Once we have decided, an impression will be made and sent to a lab for the onlay to be created.
Once the onlay is returned, we will confirm the fit. If it fits properly, we will finish the placement process by bonding the onlay in place.
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment for your personal evaluation and consultation regarding a possible inlay or onlay restoration. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.