Differences between Inlays and Onlays

Differences between Inlays and Onlays

Dec 01, 2021

Have you heard about getting fillings for cavities or dental problems for extensively damaged teeth? You may think the above are the only solutions available to restore decayed teeth. Would you be pleasantly surprised if the dentist near you mentioned alternatives are also available to fill and repair decayed teeth with cavities in them?

If we have aroused your curiosity, let us satisfy it with information that inlays and Onlays are also suitable for restoring damaged teeth. Generally, dental fillings are helpful to fill in any cavities if detected early. However, if you have a large hole where a filling is inadequate and a dental crown too much to restore your tooth, your dentist will likely recommend you consider having inlays and Onlays near you as appropriate solutions for tooth restoration. Both inlays and Onlays are more substantial than fillers but less intrusive as dental crowns requiring reshaping of your teeth.

Inlays Vs. Onlays: the Difference between the Two

If you are not aware of what inlays and Onlays are, let us explain their difference.

Inlays help your dentist fill cavities in a tooth if decay is present between the cusps. Onlays are different because besides filling holes in the tooth, Onlays also work on a large area, including the cusps. Onlays are similar to crowns, but they do not entirely encase the tooth.

Similar material helps make inlays and Onlays, and both solutions serve the same purpose. They offer protection to different areas of the tooth affected by decay by covering them in a couple of visits to your dentist’s office.

What Are Inlays and Onlays in Dentistry?

Inlays are customized and fitted into the chewing surfaces of the tooth damaged by decay or injury. When creating inlays, an impression of the affected area is required for manufacture by the dental lab. Inlays fit perfectly in the hollow of your tooth without affecting the cusps. In addition, the dentist providing inlays and Onlays in St Cloud, MN, tries to match the inlay to the color of your tooth to ensure they are not noticeable when opening your mouth.

Materials helping make dental inlays include composite material or porcelain, both incredibly durable than conventional fillings. The material makes inlays more expensive than dental fillings, but the solution also lasts longer. Dentists select this option when fillings are inadequate for restoring the tooth, or the cavity requires robust materials to strengthen the tooth.

On the other hand, Onlays help protect larger surfaces and damage to the tooth’s cusps besides the biting surfaces. Dentists choose Onlays if you have an extensive cavity too large for a filling but not large enough for a dental crown. Onlays will shore up the tooth’s strength besides protecting the decaying area. Unlike inlays merely covering the cavities, Onlays also cover the cusps and the hollow space in between.

Whether you are receiving inlays or Onlays, the tooth preparation procedure remains the same as getting dental fillings. However, you require two visits to your Sauk Rapids dentist. The first is to have your tooth prepared, and the second is to have your customized inlay or onlay placed.

The lifespan of Inlays and Onlays

The most significant benefit of getting inlays or Onlays on your teeth from the dentist St. Cloud, MN is the durability of the restorations. You can expect inlays and Onlays to last for five to 30 years with proper care. However, do not expect the dentist to provide any guarantees on their lifespan because many variables need consideration besides maintaining excellent dental hygiene.

A significant variable in maintaining inlays and Onlays remains excellent dental hygiene, including brushing twice, flossing at least once, and diligently following any recommendations from the St. Cloud dentist. In addition, you mustn’t avoid six-monthly visits to your dentist to check on the stability and the health of your restorations. Dentists ensure the inlays and Onlays are firmly in place and remain there as long as possible.

You help yourself by considering factors like teeth grinding and clenching that might increase the wear and tear of the restorations and request the dentist to provide a remedy like night guards to protect your teeth. Unfortunately, chewing on sticky and complex foods can also damage the longevity of the restorations. Therefore the dentist doesn’t provide any guarantees on the lifespan of inlays and Onlays.

If you are getting dental inlays and Onlays to restore, your teeth remember the responsibility of carrying them lies on your shoulder. So long as you care for the restorations and your overall health, rest assured in less than Onlays will remain in your mouth for long.

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