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At Dentist Mandy, we are big advocates of prevention and conscious dental hygiene. Looking after your smile should always be a priority. One of the most common concerns for our patients centres around cavities which may appear in teeth for a number of different reasons including inadequate cleaning and maintenance.
If you find yourself in a position where:
Your tooth is broken, fractured or decayed.
Your cavity or area of decay is significant enough to need a large dental filling which could weaken the rest of the tooth.
Your tooth will not support a dental crown.
We may suggest a dental inlay or dental onlay.
Dental inlays, dental onlays and dental fillings are all used to restore your beautiful smile and prevent further tooth decay. Which option is right for you will depend on what we decide during your consultation with Dentist Mandy.
Both dental onlays and inlays are what we dentists sometimes call indirect fillings. Indirect fillings are dental fillings which are custom manufactured in a dental laboratory. Generally, it takes a couple of visits before we can place the inlay or onlay into your mouth.
We are often asked by our patients what the difference is between dental inlays and dental onlays.
Let’s explain a little here…
A dental inlay is a customised filling which is fitted into the grooves of your tooth, but does not extend over the cusps of the tooth.
Dental inlays are manufactured using a variety of different materials. From porcelain inlays and ceramic inlays through to composite resin inlays or even gold inlays – they vary in cost and suitability for each client. At Mandy Dentist we most often use dental inlays which match your tooth’s natural colour and provide a relatively visually seamless dental restoration.
A dental onlay is a similar method of dental restoration to dental inlays that is used when there is more damage to the chewing surface (or cusps) of the tooth. When the biting surface of the tooth is compromised, we use a dental onlay. Everything is the same as with dental inlays, however the dental onlay is placed on top of the tooth – covering the cusps.
At Dentist Mandy, we use dental inlays and dental onlays as a more durable option than regular fillings or when a dental crown is not recommended. We use a range of different dental onlays – porcelain onlays, ceramic onlays, composite resin onlays and also gold onlays to ensure that your tooth can perform its natural functions.
We like to ensure that you are always comfortable with your decision for any dental procedure you undertake with us here at Dentist Mandy. Once you have had a consultation with us and determined that you would like a dental inlay or onlay, we will schedule a series of appointments for the procedure.
During your first appointment for an inlay or onlay, we remove the decay or old filling using a dental drill. Once we have efficiently cleaned out the decay, our professional dentist will take an impression of your tooth (either digitally or using a putty-like cement) and send it to the dental laboratory to custom make your dental inlay or onlay. Before you leave Dentist Mandy, we will place a temporary filling on your tooth to protect it until the permanent restoration is ready.
After a couple of weeks or so, your permanent dental inlay or onlay will arrive back at Dentist Mandy in one single, solid piece.
During your second visit with us, your permanent dental inlay or dental onlay will be attached to your tooth. To do this, we use a permanent dental cement or bonding agent. You’ll leave this visit with a fully restored smile and your permanent inlay or onlay in place.
As you know, our goal is always to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible and to make sure your smile stays healthy. The inlays and onlays we fit are durable and long lasting and require the same amount of love and care as all your natural teeth. Effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular visits to see us here at Mandy Dentist will ensure that your inlays and onlays last the test of time. Remember if you take care of your teeth, they’ll take care of you too.