INLAYS & ONLAYS
To repair larger damage to the tooth's biting surface, rather than using a simple fillings, or a a crown, a dentist will often use an inlay, or an onlay. Inlays and onlays can be made from porcelain, gold, or composite or ceramic resin, although porcelain is now becoming the material of choice because of its strength and potential to match the natural color of your tooth.
Decay is removed and cleaned from the tooth and a highly accurate impression/mold is made of the prepared surface. This is then sent to a special laboratory that will create a gold or porcelain (tooth colored) restoration called an inlay or onlay. The inlay or onlay is then cemented into the prepared surface of the tooth. An inlay covers only one or two surfaces of the tooth and is used to restore a small amount of decay. An onlay actually covers one or more cusps (the chewing surface of the tooth.)
Advantages:
Inlays and onlays are incredibly strong due to the fact that they are created in a laboratory. They protects the tooth from fracturing and strengthens the tooth. As they fit perfectly into the tooth, it reduces the occurence of decay occuring around or under restoration. In addition, they can be much more conservative than a crown and leave more healthy tooth intact.
Disadvantages:
Due to the fact that they are crafted in a laboratory, inlays and onlays require a greater initial investment than regular fillings. However, in the long run, inlays and onlays are a better investment than fillings due to their extremely long life and highly accurate fit. Gold inlays and onlays generally have a greater long term durability than porcelain inlays and onlays.
Alternatives:
In cases of extensive decay, crowns are the only alternative.
|
