Am I a Good Candidate For Inlays and Onlays?
Dental inlays and onlays are two of the most unique restorative dental solutions you can use today. Inlays and onlays can restore the top part of a dental crown, preserving your natural tooth.
Not all people will benefit from inlays or onlays. Our dentists at Made Ya Smile of The Woodlands, TX want to help you see if you’re a candidate for these restorative dental materials. We can help you with either of them, depending on your unique situation. We can complete an analysis of your teeth and identify a proper plan for adding an inlay or onlay to the area, protecting your smile and preventing issues from occurring in the area.
What are inlays and onlays?
Let’s look at what dental inlays and onlays are first before looking at whether they’re necessary for your needs. Inlays are materials that go in the middle part of a tooth. It reinforces the body of the tooth to protect it from further decay.
An onlay also goes on top of the dental crown, but it also covers the edges of the tooth. It creates an even structure that restores the patient’s bite.
These two are different from traditional dental crowns. A crown will go over the entire natural tooth structure. But an inlay or onlay only covers the top area.
How much dental structure do you have left?
Inlays and onlays are for patients who have enough natural dental structure left to handle these materials. Our team at Made Ya Smile of The Woodlands, TX can review your tooth and determine if it is strong enough to take one of these items.
An inlay or onlay is for people who don’t require a dental crown. The natural crown won’t be too weak, allowing it to use an inlay or onlay to protect the natural surface from requiring a crown later.
Are you ready to manage dental hygiene habits?
Inlays and onlays are also useful for people willing to handle the necessary daily dental hygiene habits. You’ll need to brush twice a day and floss each day to ensure your teeth stay healthy. You’ll also need to visit us every six months to clean your teeth and review how well your smile looks.
Your inlay or onlay will remain in position if you maintain your tooth well. Poor dental hygiene can cause the material to weaken. The dental cement or bonding agent that protects your tooth can weaken and become loose if you don’t care for the area.
Who won’t benefit from an inlay or onlay?
Inlays and onlays aren’t for people with massive cavities or extensive decay. Any tooth that has decayed or weakened far too much will need a dental crown instead, as the inlay or onlay won’t help the surface. We can plan a full-size dental crown over your tooth if the need arises.
Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about dental inlays and onlays
Inlays and onlays can preserve your teeth and ensure they will stay healthy and strong. At Made Ya Smile of The Woodlands, TX, we have the latest in dental technology to care for all of your oral health needs. We can review your teeth and design a treatment plan that is right for you. Visit us online to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.