Onlays & Inlays
Onlays & Inlays in Eastbourne
Onlays and Inlays are types of dental filling used to restore damaged teeth. For moderate tooth restoration – cases where a filling is not enough, but a crown is too much – dental inlays and onlays can be a good alternative.
When filling the inner tooth cavity the dental filling is referred to as an inlay. If filling the outer tooth cusp and structure, the dental filling is termed as an onlay.
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What are Onlays and Inlays?
Dental filler is used to fashion inlays and onlays. The type of dental filler may depend on the kind of tooth trauma involved, such as a cavity, fracture or worn tooth cusp. Restorative substances used as dental filler include dental composite and resins, porcelain, ceramics, gold, zirconium and amalgam. Nowadays, tooth-coloured porcelain is also used and gives the restored tooth a more natural look, which many patients prefer.
Difference between Onlays and Inlays
Onlays and inlays are both used to provide a restorative treatment for teeth that have decayed or suffered damage. However, while their names may sound similar, dental inlays and onlays are actually very different things.
Inlays are generally smaller and are used to fill in gaps between the cusps of your teeth – simply put, they are an alternative to a large filling. Meanwhile, onlays are larger pieces that can cover one or more cusps. They are sometimes also known as partial crowns.
When it comes to deciding whether a dental onlay or inlay is right for your situation, your dentist is the best person to make the choice. They will consider a variety of factors, including the extent of the damage and the amount of restoration required and make a recommendation based on their findings.
The treatment
Having an inlay or onlay placed will typically require multiple visits to the dentist. This is because a segment of tooth will need to be drilled away, and then an impression of the tooth will be taken. The impression is sent to an external lab, where the inlay or onlay will be created. The manufacturing process usually takes a couple of weeks and you’ll have a temporary filling placed while you’re waiting.
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