Inlays and Onlays
When you have tooth decay, the normal procedure is for Dr. Tris J. Carta to remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill it with silver or tooth-colored material. However, that procedure is inadequate when you have extensive decay, and Dr. Carta wants to treat it rather than extract it. Inlays and onlays in Manchester, CT, are the ideal treatment options.
What are Inlays and Onlays?
Although dentists and patients typically refer to inlays and onlays as a single item, they serve different purposes. An inlay contains solid materials that fit the shape of your tooth. Inlays typically sit at the center of a tooth with widespread decay due to dental disease or an injury. Our dental laboratory workers create your customized inlay with porcelain or gold. You can choose to have your inlay match the natural shade of your teeth. Inlays fit into the grooves of your teeth and can be indistinguishable when you smile.
Onlays
Our laboratory technicians also customize onlays with solid materials. When Dr. Carta places an onlay in your mouth, he can custom-fit it to your tooth and match the shade of your other teeth. Onlays are smaller than dental crowns but larger than inlays. Their purpose is to fill larger cavities that extend beyond a tooth’s cusp. Dr. Carta reserves onlays for the most serious cases of tooth decay to prevent extraction.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Because of the gold and/or porcelain our dental technicians use when creating inlays and onlays, they are more durable than a typical dental filling. When you receive an inlay or onlay, you need to schedule two appointments. The first appointment consists of Dr. Carta taking X-rays, examining your teeth, and obtaining a mold of them for our dental laboratory. You have the inlay or onlay installed at the second appointment.
Inlays and onlays are more resistant to staining than other types of dental restorations. They also have an exceptionally low chance of cracking or fracturing, thanks to the durability of gold and porcelain materials.
Please contact us if you have noticed tooth decay and think you might need inlays and onlays in Manchester, CT, to treat it.
