If you have a tooth (or teeth) that are too damaged or decayed for a normal filling, then getting an inlay or an onlay at Harmony Dental Care in Oshawa, ON might be something worth checking into. Both of these are options for when your teeth have moderate decay. They can also be used for cracked teeth that are not so badly damaged that they require a crown.
The Difference Between an Inlay and an Onlay
A dental inlay will lie within the cusps of a tooth. An onlay, on the other hand, covers one or more cusps – sometimes even the entire biting surface. Other than this small difference, they are the same thing.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
An inlay or onlay at Harmony Dental Care is extremely resilient, lasting up to 30 years or more. This is great because it means that they are strong enough for you to bite and chew normally without causing further structural damage to the remaining tooth. Unlike amalgam fillings, inlays and onlays can actually increase the strength of a tooth. Once an inlay or onlay has been placed, there is little reason why you’d need further dental work on that tooth – assuming, of course, that you continue to use good oral hygiene to stop any decay from forming.
The Procedure
The first step is numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. If you have a filling on the tooth, it will be removed. An impression will be taken of the tooth and then sent off to a dental lab. The impression will also be sent with directions on what material you want, and if you choose porcelain or composite resin, what color shade you want. It can be created to match the color of the rest of your teeth! While you wait for your inlay or onlay, Harmony Dental Care will outfit you with a temporary restoration.
At your second appointment, the inlay or onlay will be put in place. Resin adhesive will hold it in place. Your mouth might feel a little tender for the first couple of days after receiving your inlay or onlay. Soon, though, you’ll stop noticing that it’s there at all.
