A chipped or cracked tooth can easily be restored to give you a straight smile. Among the many cosmetic treatments used to fix teeth damaged by accidents or decay are inlays and onlays. These are cosmetic devices that are a medium between fillings and dental crowns, and are mostly used to restore teeth that have suffered moderate decay or fracturing.

Inlays are onlays are made of porcelain and attached to the top of a damaged tooth to restore its structure and protect the tooth from further decay. The only difference between the two is their size; if they extend over one or more cusps, they are onlays, and if they are used to fill cavities between the cusps, they are inlays.

How onlays and inlays are applied

These dental products are more or less like fillings, except they are made of porcelain and can be tightly fit to the top of the damaged tooth like a crown. Their application requires two dental appointments.

During the first dental visit, your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth to create room for the inlay or onlay, and then use the impression of your remaining tooth and gum to create an exact replica of your tooth. This impression is used to make a mold of your cosmetic device, ensuring it fits perfectly in your mouth.

The next dental visit involves the actual installation of the dental prosthesis. The dentist will position the device perfectly onto the affected tooth and bond it into place using dental cement, so that the structure of the tooth is restored and further decay to the inside of the tooth halted. Once the onlay or inlay is attached, you will have a shiny, natural smile.

Benefits of onlays and inlays

Dental onlays are a great alternative for restoring a tooth affected by moderate decay or sensitivity, where using a crown would be uncalled for due to the minor extent of the damage to the surface of the tooth.  Unlike crowns, onlays will require less invasive dental work, leading to a stronger tooth structure.

Inlays are great alternatives to conventional fillings in covering cavities, as they are made of natural looking porcelain instead of metal alloys, and are thus more natural-looking and attractive. Inlays are also not likely to shrink and expand when subjected to varying temperatures unlike their metal counterparts, enabling them to remain intact for much longer. Furthermore, inlays are easier to clean than fillings and feel more natural against your teeth. For more information, talk to a dentist like Larsen-Haslem Dental.