At Concord Smiles, we’re dedicated to keeping your smile healthy, beautiful, and strong. If you’ve experienced tooth decay or damage that goes beyond a standard filling but doesn’t quite require a crown, inlays and onlays could be the perfect solution. These treatments offer a long-lasting way to restore the strength and look of your teeth.
What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are custom-designed restorations that strengthen compromised teeth and preserve healthy tooth structure. Here’s how they work:
- Inlays: An inlay fills a cavity within the grooves of your tooth, fitting perfectly in the hollowed area without covering the cusps (the pointed parts of the tooth). It’s ideal when there isn’t enough tooth structure for a filling, yet the damage doesn’t require a crown. Designed to blend seamlessly with your natural tooth color, inlays fit like a glove to repair and restore.
- Onlays: Onlays cover one or more cusps and chewing surfaces, making them the go-to for more extensive tooth decay or damage. They’re bonded directly over the affected areas, strengthening the tooth and preventing cracks. Choosing an onlay over a crown helps preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible.
Both inlays and onlays are effective, lasting options that can restore 50 to 75 percent of a tooth’s chewing force, providing a durable and natural-looking solution.
Do You Need an Inlay or Onlay?
If you have a significant cavity or tooth damage from an injury, inlays and onlays could be the answer. Our dental professionals will assess your unique situation and recommend the best option to restore your smile.
Inlays vs. Fillings: What’s the Difference?
While inlays are similar to traditional fillings, they offer several advantages:
- Porcelain inlays blend naturally with your teeth, making them virtually invisible.
- Unlike fillings, inlays won’t expand or contract with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracks.
- Inlays require less removal of healthy tooth material than fillings, preserving more of your natural tooth.
Onlays vs. Crowns: Which is Right for You?
When restoring a damaged tooth, crowns and onlays serve different purposes. While a crown covers the entire tooth, an onlay is more conservative, protecting the tooth’s structure and offering a less aggressive solution if much of the tooth remains healthy. Onlays are often less expensive than crowns and require an experienced dentist, like Dr. Jon and Dr. Nick, to ensure an accurate fit.
How Long Do Inlays and Onlays Last?
Inlays and onlays are incredibly durable and can last anywhere from five to 30 years with proper care. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups will help them last even longer. Periodic dental visits are also key to maintaining their stability and performance.
Schedule
Your Consultation Today
If you’re dealing with a cavity or damaged tooth, our skilled dental team at Concord Smiles is here to help. Inlays and onlays are designed to look just like your natural teeth, so no one will ever know you had work done. Give us a call today at (603) 225-2042 to schedule your consultation, and let us help you restore your smile with care and precision!
