Restorative dentistry has progressed considerably over the years and there are now several effective ways to correct decayed teeth. In this post from at Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Shelby Township we are going to focus on two similar types of restorations: dental inlays and onlays.
Where possible, an inlay or an onlay can be a less-invasive alternative to a complete crown and either one is usually more affordable than a porcelain crown procedure.
Inlays/onlays are “indirect fillings,” meaning that they are produced in a lab and placed whole on the tooth. A traditional “direct filling” is applied to the tooth while the material is malleable and then shaped by the dentist.
An inlay is used to fix the surface of a damaged tooth, often to fill a small cavity or a natural pit that is at risk for decay.
Typically porcelain or composite resin are used for inlays; these materials are heavy-duty and look very natural because the color can be matched specifically to the surrounding teeth. An inlay is exactly fitted to your tooth and looks, feels, and functions like the initial tooth.
An onlay covers a larger part of the tooth. Because they cover such a large area of the tooth, they are often referred to as partial crowns. Onlays are frequently applied to the biting surface of the tooth. Just like inlays, they are specifically fitted to the damaged part of the tooth. Composite resin and porcelain are also the main materials used to create an onlay. As mentioned before, inlays and onlays serve an important role in restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
At at Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Shelby Township, we provide complete restorative dentistry. People from Washington Township, Macomb, and Lakeside also come to us for general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry:
586-685-0880
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
45665 Village Blvd
Shelby Township, Michigan
48315
