After removing an area of decay from a tooth, dentists have a few different options for restoring the tooth. We may use a filling, a crown, an inlay or an onlay. Which of these options is best depends on a few factors, including how much tooth tissue was removed and how strong the tooth is.
For a tooth that is severely damaged, a dentist will place a crown in order to save it. A crown is a porcelain shell that fits all the way around a tooth. Placement generally requires the removal of some healthy tooth structure, and is a fairly involved process. Because of these factors, crowns are usually only used for teeth that would be at risk of loss without one.
For a tooth that has lost only a small amount of tooth structure, we can use a white filling made of composite resin in order to restore it. However, while composite resin is durable and blends in aesthetically, it does not do much to maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. If the tooth has lost a significant amount of structure, then a filling may not be strong enough to keep it healthy.
What if a tooth has lost enough structure that a filling will not suffice for the long-term, but not so much that a crown is necessary? These are the cases in which we may use an inlay or an onlay. These are custom-created porcelain restorations. Unlike a white filling, which is created directly within the mouth through the application of composite resin, an inlay or onlay is fabricated outside the mouth and then placed by the dentist. The difference between them is in how much of the tooth they cover.
An inlay fits between the cusps of the tooth
The cusps are the “bumps” on the chewing surface of a premolar or molar (the middle to back teeth). An inlay fits between the cusps of a tooth, in the grooves of the tooth. This is a common location for tooth decay, because it’s easy for food particles to become trapped in the grooves and for bacteria to grow.
An onlay fits over one or more cusps
By contrast with an inlay, an onlay fits over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. It does not fit all the way around the outside of the tooth, as a crown does, though it may cover a significant portion of the tooth’s surface in some cases. However, a crown requires the removal of some tooth structure in order to place it, while an onlay is more conservative and attempts to retain as much natural tooth structure as possible.
What is it like to get an inlay or onlay?
The technical aspects of creating and placing the restoration are somewhat different for the dentist, but to the patient, the experience of getting an onlay or inlay are very similar. You will receive local anesthesia, and decayed tooth tissue will be removed. Next, impressions of the tooth will be taken. These will be used to fabricate your custom porcelain restoration.
In some cases, we fabricate the restoration here in our office, and will cement it into place at the same appointment. In other cases, the impressions may be sent to a dental laboratory, where the restoration will be created. If this is the case for you, we will place a temporary filling at your first appointment, to protect the tooth for the short term. When your restoration is ready, you will come back to our office to have it cemented into place.
Restorative dentist Shreveport
If you’re looking for a restorative dentist Shreveport and the surrounding area, we invite you to become part of our family of satisfied patients here at Cormier Family Dentistry. Our two dentists each have nearly twenty years of experience in restoring teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay or other factors. Whether you need a filling, an inlay, an onlay, a crown, or even a root canal, we will approach your experience with compassion as well as technical skill. To schedule your appointment, simply contact our front desk.
