Onlays / Inlays
Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown.
Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown. This particular procedure is ideal for patients who might have large cavities that a typical filling wouldn’t handle or when there has been some type of trauma to the tooth. Let One Fine Smile protect your teeth with our high-quality onlays and inlays in Oak Park.
What are Onlays and Inlays?
Onlays and Inlays are dental prosthetics that act and look like a small crown. Both onlays and inlays are used to repair back teeth with mild to moderate decay that does not need to have a crown. The difference between getting an inlay and an onlay depends on the amount of tooth that has been lost.
- An inlay is placed more in the tooth’s cusps to cover areas of breakage, cracking, or where large areas of decay are present. They can also be used to replace old or damaged metal fillings.
- Onlays are larger and cover more tooth surfaces, but they are still smaller than a crown. They are designed to fit on the chewing surface of a cavity and extend over the tooth’s biting surface(s). An onlay might be used because the tooth structure is weak, and they suspect it would crack if filled with a regular filling.
How Do I Know if I Need Onlays or Inlays?
Inlays and onlays have many benefits and are placed regularly on patients who require them. You might be a good candidate for the procedure if:
- You have a large amount of decay in a tooth
- You have already had a filling placed that is not staying in the tooth anymore
- You’ve had trauma to your tooth
- Your tooth has a large break, crack, or fracture
Do You Need Onlays and Inlays in Oak Park, IL?
This procedure is one of the most effective methods of protecting the health and structure of your teeth. Give One Fine Smile a call today to learn more!