Onlays,Inlays,Overlays

What are dental onlays, overlays and inlays?

Dental inlays,overlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. They can also be used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown. Inlays,overlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain, composite resin, and sometimes even from gold. Because they can be created from tooth-colored materials, inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal dental fillings for patients who desire a more natural looking smile.

Read on to find out about how inlays and onlays may be able to enhance your smile’s health and appearance.

Dental Inlays Dental inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying within their indented top surfaces, between the cusps of the teeth. They can also be used to replace old or damaged metal fillings.

Inlay placement is usually carried out over two appointments.

During your first visit to the dentist, an impression of your tooth will be taken, and a temporary inlay will be placed over the tooth. The dentist will send the impression off to a dental lab, which will create the inlay to match your tooth's specifications. When you return to the dentist's office, the temporary inlay will be removed and the permanent one will be placed carefully over your tooth. There is no downtime after receiving a dental inlay, only a mild level of tenderness in the treated area, so you can return to work or other activities as soon as you leave the office.

Since dental inlays and onlays can be made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain, they offer much more enduring and natural-looking results than metal fillings.

In addition, their customized nature allows dentists to securely bond them to the tooth surface, adding structural integrity and preventing bacteria from entering and forming cavities.

Dental Onlays,overlays.

Whereas dental inlays are designed to treat decay within the cusps, or top projections, of a tooth, onlays are used to treat decay that extends to one or more of the cusps. Onlays are placed in much the same way as inlays. First, an impression of the decayed tooth is taken, and a temporary onlay is placed over the tooth. The impression is then sent to a lab, where a dental technician creates the onlay according to the tooth’s dimensions. When the patient returns to the dentist's office, the temporary onlay is removed, and the permanent restoration is placed on the tooth and securely bonded using high-strength dental resins. Like dental inlays, onlays can be created from tooth-colored material, which makes them virtually undetectable to the naked eye. Onlays also help to conserve more tooth structure because their use requires minimal removal a tooth’s surface. Perhaps their most important benefit, however, is that, in saving damaged teeth, onlays help patients avoid the eventual need for more extensive treatment with dental crowns,dental bridges, or dental implants. Inlays/Onlays Benefits Inlays and onlays are more durable, require less tooth removal, and are less likely to discolor over time as compared to dental fillings and crowns.

The benefits of inlays and onlays include:

Tooth Preservation • When dentists use inlays or onlays to restore teeth, they do not remove as much of the tooth's natural structure.

Strength • Inlays and onlays are made from stronger, more durable materials than dental fillings and crowns.

Inlays and onlays typically last longer and provide additional strength and support to damaged teeth.

Fit • Dental fillings can expand and contract after they are placed due to temperature changes. Inlays and onlays are custom fit to the individual before they are placed in mouth, providing a better fit than fillings. Inlays and onlays are also ideal for treating decay tight spaces, including cavities located between the teeth.

Color • Inlays and onlays are more resistant to stains and tooth discolorations than the materials used in dental fillings and crowns.

Hygiene • Because inlays and onlays offer a custom fit, they are easier to clean and bacteria are less likely to enter the affected area after treatment. Inlays and Onlays Replacement Though inlays and onlays are longer lasting than dental fillings and crowns, they will eventually need to be replaced. Experts say that composite fillings can be expected to last about five to seven years; silver amalgram fillings last an estimated 12 years on average; crowns last 10 to 15 years. Inlays and onlays generally do not need to be replaced for 20 to 30 years.