How to Repair Damaged Teeth Using Inlays and Onlays

A healthy smile isn’t just about pleasing aesthetics—it goes much deeper. It is a symbol of good health. Having damaged teeth is detrimental to your overall health. Some people even claim that they can determine a person’s overall health just by looking at the state of their mouth.

For this reason, our dentist in Weymouth, MA, has a plethora of options that will help you get your oral health back to its former glory. Among the standard restorative options are inlays and onlays in Weymouth, MA.

Inlays and onlays are simple solutions to common dental issues, such as cracks and chips. However, not everyone knows the difference between inlays and onlays. So, let’s take a closer look.

Inlays vs. Onlays: How Do They Differ?

Let’s say that your tooth suffers damage from decay that is too extensive to be treated with a filling but not extensive enough to require a crown. In this scenario, our Weymouth dentist may recommend that you go for inlays and onlays in Weymouth, MA.

Inlays are used in scenarios where there is minimal damage to the teeth. Our family dentist in Weymouth recommends inlays when a filling is unable to strengthen the tooth properly. Inlays are fitted into the damaged chewing surface of your tooth. They are designed so that they do not affect your cusps and fit perfectly in the hollow of your tooth.

In most cases, our dentist may use a composite material or porcelain to fabricate the inlay. This is what makes inlays sturdier than traditional fillings.

On the other hand, onlays are recommended when there is damage to the biting surface and the tooth’s cusps. When you have a cavity that is too large, they are an excellent solution since a standard filling will not adequately fill it.An onlay will be used to cover the tooth, from the chewing surface to the cusps.

Onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns. This is because they are also designed to perform the same function. However, the main difference being that it is not as invasive as crowns, and they only cover a portion of your tooth.

You might also have heard inlays and onlays being referred to as indirect fillings. This fancy term means that they are fabricated outside your mouth, usually in a lab. However, a traditional filling is applied directly to the space left after the cavity has been removed.

When Should You Choose an Inlay or Onlay?

Even with proper oral hygiene, accidents happen, and your teeth can still get damaged. Our dentist may recommend inlays and onlaysin these scenarios:

• If the damage to your teeth is too extensivefor a dental filling
• If the damage to the teeth hasn’t affected the cusps
• If the damage to the teeth is not extensive enough to warrant a dental crown

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

If you get your teeth restored using inlays or onlays, you can reap the many benefits, which includes:

• Lesser Expansion and Contraction

Metal amalgams expand and contract with the fluctuating body temperatures that arise when you ingest hot or cold foods and drinks. When this happens, your teeth can crack, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Ceramic and porcelain inlays and onlays are more stable and cohesive.

• Durability

Inlays and onlays are more durable than traditional fillings since they contain porcelain. Fillings are known to last for an average of six years. However, inlays and onlays can last up to 30 years.

• Natural-Looking

Since inlays and onlays contain porcelain, they mimic the color and sheen of your natural teeth. This gives them the aesthetic appeal that makes your smile even more beautiful.

Inlays and onlays in Weymouth are excellent solutions for repairing damaged teeth. If you would like to receive this treatment, contact our Weymouth dentist at Weymouth Dental Associates to schedule a consultation.