The benefits of dental inlays and onlays from your Azusa dentist
Cavities are a tooth’s worst enemy. The longer they go untreated, the more damage they can do. That damage may be too extensive for the tooth to be restored with a filling, but may not require a dental bonding. In these instances, Dr. Luu will likely recommend an inlay or onlay.
Inlays and onlays are similar; the difference is size and placement. Inlays are smaller and are used to cover only a part of the tooth’s surface. It would be utilized in a case were a molar had a cavity that was in the center of the tooth and did not damage the cusps. When the damage is too extensive for an inlay but the tooth is structurally sound and does not require a crown, an onlay can restore the tooth. Onlays cover most of a tooth’s chewing surface but do not cover the sides of the tooth the way crowns do.
One of the things that make inlays and onlays a good option is they do not require much of the tooth’s structure to be removed. When a crown is placed, the cavity is removed and then the tooth is reshaped so it can accommodate the thickness of the crown. Inlays and onlays only require a minimal amount of the tooth structure to be removed.
The process for getting inlays and onlays is very similar. Both require two appointments. During the preparation appointment, Dr. Luu will anesthetize and remove the damaged tooth structure prior to preparation it for the inlay or onlay. Impressions will be taken, and she will determine what shade your restoration should be so it will be a perfect match for the existing tooth. A dental lab will use this to create your restoration, a process that takes about two weeks. To protect your tooth in the meantime, Dr. Luu will place a temporary filling. During a follow up appointment, the temporary filling will be removed and the inlay or onlay will be cemented in place. Once your restoration is complete, the inlay or onlay will be unnoticeable. Only you and Dr. Luu will know it is there.
If you have a cavity and you want to know what your treatment options are, call Gentle Care Dentistry at +1 626-466-9596, and schedule your appointment. Dr. Luu explains all treatment options to her patients so they can fully informed. The office is located at 232 N Azusa Ave, Azusa, CA 91702.
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