Strengthen Your Smile with Inlays and Onlays
No matter how diligent we are with our dental care, chips and cracks can still occur. Damaged and delayed teeth happen for many reasons. Inlays and onlays are one of the top ways to repair broken teeth without having to replace them entirely, and the process is quite simple. If you have chipped or cracked teeth and you’re looking for ways to restore your smile, our team at Western Dental Care can help.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are pieces of porcelain that are shaped to restore part of your tooth after damage or decay. They are often referred to as partial crowns, using your existing tooth as the base and preventing further damage in the process.
Inlays fill the area between the cusps of your teeth, while onlays cover the cusps. Unlike dental crowns, inlays and onlays don’t cover the entire tooth. They’re simply meant to restore the part of your tooth that has been damaged.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Dr. Santhosh Thomas will be happy to help you decide if inlays and onlays are the right choice for you. A few benefits of this simple restorative dentistry treatment include:
- Providing additional strength and support for affected teeth, allowing them to withstand more chewing pressure.
- Longer lasting than dental fillings, with proper care.
- Less enamel is removed, with more of the natural tooth preserved.
- Blending in with your tooth’s natural color.
- The procedure can usually be completed in just two visits.
If you have teeth that are suffering from damage, decay, or infection, schedule an appointment with our Albany, NY dental team so we can help you restore your smile.
The Inlays and Onlays Procedure
The inlays and onlays procedure is similar to that of a dental crown. After an initial consultation, you’ll make an appointment with Dr. Thomas for the procedure.
First, we will administer a local anesthetic to make sure you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Then, we’ll remove any infected areas and prepare your tooth for its new restoration. Dr. Thomas will take an impression of the area to create the custom inlay or onlay. Finally, you will receive a temporary restoration until your final appointment.
Once your permanent inlay or onlay is ready, we’ll remove the temporary restoration, clean your tooth, and install the custom inlay or onlay. We’ll also provide you with some after-care instructions and send you off to enjoy your newly restored smile.
Are Inlays and Onlays Right For You?
Inlays and onlays are one of many restorative dentistry options, but they produce excellent results. Dr. Thomas always works to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible, and we offer this treatment to treat mild or moderate tooth decay as well as repair cracked teeth.
Inlays and onlays may be right for you if you:
- Have a cracked, chipped, or moderately damaged tooth
- Are experiencing the beginning stages of tooth decay
- Have a large cavity that requires additional repairs
Inlays and Onlays at Western Dental Care
You deserve to feel confident in your smile. If you’re curious about how inlays and onlays can help, call our Albany office at (518) 456-8040 and schedule an appointment with our team. We’d love to help you decide what is best for you.
FAQ
Who is a good candidate for inlays and onlays?
The ideal candidate for inlays and onlays is in good overall oral health. The affected tooth should still be healthy enough that a dental crown is unnecessary.
Is the inlays and onlays procedure painful?
Our team will administer a local anesthetic before your inlays and onlays procedure, ensuring that you will not be in pain. Residual pain after the procedure is rare, but if you’re experiencing discomfort, taking over-the-counter pain medication should help.
How long will my recovery take?
Recovery from inlays and onlays is usually instant. You may need to take over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two, but once they are in place, you will be able to resume your normal activities.