Dental Inlays & Onlays
After your tooth has been subjected to decay or injury, you will need to take the steps necessary to properly restore it. This can involve targeting the reason for infection or rot, which can be a crack in the tooth, gum disease, or improper maintenance. Once the surrounding area has been treated, there comes the goal of restoring your natural tooth’s function and look. Though many restorative options are available, such as crowns or fillings, dental inlays and onlays are also popular and highly-effective solutions.
To ensure that a dental inlay or dental onlay is the best option for your specific needs, it is best to first consult with a professional oral surgeon or dentist. The team at Union City Oral Surgery Group has been trained in the art of minimally-invasive surgical techniques and is proud to offer a pristine and state-of-the-art facility. We can help conduct an examination of your teeth to determine which route would be the most beneficial to you, whether it’s a dental inlay or onlay.
UNDERSTANDING DENTAL INLAYS
When you are dealing with a cavity or a small area of your tooth that needs to be replaced, fillings are a common solution. However quick they may be, fillings don’t last as long as other options do, and they also don’t necessarily match the color and natural look of your tooth. Dental inlays are an alternative to fillings that actually match the aesthetics of your other teeth and are long-lasting and protective.
Made of a synthetic material such as porcelain, metal, or gold, dental inlays are used to cover small sections of your teeth to prohibit further rot or infection. A mold will be made of your mouth to customize the inlay, which can then be shaded to match the color of your tooth. Unlike other forms of restorative dentistry, inlays do not require large chunks of your natural tooth to be removed, reshaped, or shaven down. They can take up to two or three visits to be fully installed and, given you practice good oral hygiene, can be a long-term solution to your exposed tooth.
UNDERSTANDING DENTAL ONLAYS
Dental onlays are very similar to dental inlays in that they are made of a synthetic material to go over a portion of your tooth to protect it. When it comes to comparing it to other forms of restorative dentistry, they are similar to a dental crown, as they cover large sections of the tooth instead of small ones, like inlays. They are also custom-made to fit your teeth, but the difference is they are used for different sections of the teeth. Inlays are designed to cover the cusp of your teeth, or the top portion. Onlays will cover a far larger area, which includes the area between the cusps.
Unlike crowns or other similar treatment methods, onlays do not require a root canal beforehand. They allow you to keep more of the natural tooth structure, meaning you do not have to undergo any shaving or shaping.
HOW A QUALIFIED SURGEON CAN HELP IN UNION CITY, NJ
When it comes to deciding which option is best for you, it’s best to partner with a qualified oral surgeon like one from Union City Oral Surgery Group. With years of experience, our team can help with the following aspects:
- Review your options: It’s possible that a dental inlay or dental onlay isn’t the best option for you. Depending on the cause of the damage, the actual damage itself, and other various factors, your surgeon may have something quicker and more beneficial in mind.
- Conduct an examination: To ensure you are fully aware of what your oral health needs are, we can help conduct an official examination, including x-rays and a professional inspection.
- Offer cost-effective solutions: Dental work can be pricey, and we are proud to offer minimally-invasive, cost-effective solutions to your oral hygiene problems. We’ll even work with you to get the most out of your insurance reimbursement.
An oral surgeon has been trained in dental school, as well as undergone four years in a hospital-based residency program. As one of the only specialists recognized by the American Dental Association, you are putting your trust in good hands when it comes to choosing an oral surgeon for your dental inlay and onlay needs.
CONSULT YOUR OPTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED ORAL SURGEON NOW
If you are interested in a dental inlay or onlay to help restore the natural function and look of your mouth, you can schedule an appointment with a qualified oral surgeon today. Union City Oral Surgery Group has serviced the Union City community for many years with a variety of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. We would love to do the same for you.
Get the process started today by scheduling an initial examination by calling our Union City office at (201) 601-9262 or by filling out our contact form.