Restorative Dentistry – A Guide to

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays

are dental restorations

that many patients find

preferable to traditional

fillings and crowns.

Those who favor them

feel that they provide a

more secure, precise,

and longer-lasting

solution to cavities,

tooth decay, and

chipped teeth.

The difference between

an inlay and an onlay

versus a traditional

filling is how it is shaped

and fitted into the tooth.

Whereas a filling is molded

directly into the tooth cavity

where it subsequently

solidifies, inlays and onlays

are molded into shape in a

dental lab and then fitted to

the damaged tooth by

family dentists or

cosmetic dentists.

When the restoration is

made to the middle of the

tooth, it is classified as

an "inlay," as opposed to

an "onlay" which is used

to repair tooth damage

that involves a "cusp," or

protruding point.

Therefore, inlays are

most often used in place

of dental fillings for

cavities, and onlays are

an alternative to

dental crowns.

Why choose dental

inlays and onlays over

their more traditional

and common

alternatives? There are

several reasons:

Preserving Your Teeth

Because all the work on an

inlay or onlay is done in a

lab and the result is

inserted into the tooth only

after it is completed, as

much as possible of your

natural tooth material

is preserved.

When you have a filling or

get a crown made, the

dentist has to sand down

and chip away at even

more of your tooth before

he even gets to work on

the restorative process.

More Durable Material

Resin-based tooth

fillings and traditional

crowns are known for

wearing away, breaking

down, chipping, and

cracking over time.

How many times have

you known someone who

had to go in for an

unexpected dental

procedure because his

crown popped off

or broke?

It happens constantly.

Inlays and onlays often

fit better and require

less material, and the

material that is used is

stronger and

more durable.

A Better Fit

Traditional fillings that

harden after the

procedure have a

reputation for shrinking

over time.

This can open up new

cavities which will

necessitate additional

filling material. Likewise,

full crowns can be bulky

and uncomfortable when

fitted onto your tooth.

Inlays and onlays use the

minimum amount of

material necessary, and

that material is immutable

in shape and size, meaning

it won't wear away or

erode and leave you open

for new decay.

Less Discoloration

It should be noted that

fillings have come a long

way from the

ostentatious, shiny gold

material that was used

for decades.

The resin used in modern

fillings is formulated to be

the same color as your

tooth, so after the filling is

inserted and it solidifies,

no one will notice it is

there unless they look

extremely closely.

However, over time, this

material is much more

susceptible to

discoloration than is your

natural tooth enamel.

Inlays and onlays, on the

other hand, possess the

same protective

qualities against

discoloration that your

teeth do.

That means as long as

you take the proper

measures to keep your

teeth white and free

from stains, your inlays

or onlays will uphold

their white coloring

as well.

If you are seeking

professional dental

advice, it's time to call

Shumway Dental Care.

Their Chandler dentists

will ask you questions,

examine you, and

determine exactly what

needs to be done to get

you back to normal.

Call today for an

appointment.

Visit

www.shumwaydental.com

Shumway Dental Care

3150 S Gilbert Rd Suite 1

Chandler, AZ 85286

(480) 420-7551