The Vital Role of Inlays and Onlays in Restoring Your Dental Health
Traumatic injuries cause fractures, chips, and cracks on your teeth, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. Damages on your chewing surfaces also pose a threat to dental caries. Mild to moderate tooth decay, fractures, and cracks on your teeth can adversely affect your natural smile. Dental inlays and Onlays are viable restorations that can transform your smile and restore your dental outlook.
The restorations rejuvenate your dental by repairing your flaws. Onlays can repair a tooth that’s intensively damaged, and you are an ideal candidate for the restorations if you have severely decayed or damaged teeth. The placement of Inlays and Onlays near Encinitas, CA, 92024, requires few appointments, and it would be best if you visit us for an exceptional restorative procedure.
What are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
Dental inlays and dental Onlays are conservative therapeutic options compared to crowns since minimal tooth portion is removed. An inlay restoration uses gold, composite, or tooth-colored porcelain molded to suit your personalized dental needs. They are permanently bonded into your tooth and ensure your natural tooth structure is preserved. Inlays are crucial in restoring a tooth that has a large defective filling or has undergone traumatic injury. The restorations can serve you for a long and provide you with an appealing smile.
Dental Onlays are bonded inside your tooth and extend onto your chewing surfaces to replace damaged or decayed cusps. The tooth-colored restorations are made from ceramic or porcelain that bond permanently on your tooth. Onlays reinforce your tooth and seal the cavity. You are an ideal candidate for dental inlays and Onlays restorations if you have the following dental imperfections:
- Large or old fillings
- Fracture fillings
- Decayed teeth
- Broken or fractured teeth
Our general dentist in Encinitas, CA, will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental inlays or Onlays during your appointment.
What to Expect During Your Restorative Procedure
During your initial appointment, our dentist in Encinitas, CA, will evaluate your dental state and determine whether Onlay and inlay restorations are ideal for you. The placement of the restorations requires two appointments. Local anesthetic can be used to numb your affected tooth, and your tooth is prepared for restorations. Impressions on your damaged tooth are molded to fit perfectly on your tooth, and the composite material matches the color of the natural tooth.
Temporary restorations are provided before the permanent ones are molded. The perfectly fitting restorations are bonded onto your tooth using a robust rein adhesive. After bonding, your tooth is polished to provide an appealing outlook. You are likely to experience little discomfort and sensitivity on your tooth’s surrounding tissues, but it subsides after a few days. Your periodontist may recommend you to take pain relievers if your discomfort is persistent. Unlike metal fillings, dental inlays and Onlay restorations have myriad benefits, and some include:
- Prolonged tooth lifespan and prevention of extensive dental procedures in the future
- Strengthening your teeth, unlike conventional prosthetics and fillings that may weaken your dental structure
- The restorations are durable since they are made of robust material and can serve you for about 30 years.
How to Take care of Your Inlays and Onlays
Restorative inlays and Onlays are durable if they are carefully preserved. Our general dentist in Encinitas, CA, may recommend you to observe a proper oral hygiene regimen to avoid the build-up of plaque. Good oral hygiene practices ensure your restorations are clean and minimize the likelihood of having oral infections. Some of the recommended tips you should observe include:
- Routine check-ups by your dentist to ensure the restorations are in a good state. Underlying issues, damage, and disease are addressed during your dental exams.
- Minimize the intake of a sugary diet after placement of your restorations since sugar-laced foods weaken the dental structure.
- Undergo interdental cleaning through regular flossing and cleaning to ensure no plaque build-up between your teeth. Your specialist may provide you with an interdental brush to clean your teeth easily.
- Rinse your mouth with recommended mouthwash to kill bacteria
If you want to undergo a restorative dental procedure, inlays and Onlays near Encinitas, CA 92024 can transform your dental imperfections. Please consult our team at Steve Horne, DDS, and find a suitable treatment option for your dental.