Are you feeling embarrassed about your smile? Do you cringe at the thought of having to talk or eat in front of friends and colleagues because of damaged teeth? If so, there is a simple solution to get your smile and, by extension, your oral health, back to normal: dental inlays and onlays.
Inlays and onlays are a great alternative to receiving a traditional dental filling. For more information about this treatment option, and whether you’re a suitable candidate for it, get in touch with a dentist in Sherwood Park today.
What are Inlays and Onlays?
The main purpose of having an inlay or onlay installed is to preserve your tooth and protect it from further damage.
As the name clearly illustrates, a dental inlay is placed within your tooth, filling in the hole left behind by a cavity or decay. Contrastingly, a dental onlay is placed over the surface of your tooth. Dentists typically recommend this strategy when an ordinary dental filling is unable to fully mend your tooth.
Both inlays and onlays can be fabricated from multiple materials including, but not limited to metal, specifically gold or silver, composite resin, ceramic, or porcelain. Resin, porcelain, and ceramic are great choices if you want your device to blend in with the natural color of your smile. Porcelain, especially, is very resistant to stains left by certain food and drinks like berries and coffee and is very durable. However, inlays and onlays made from porcelain, ceramic, or resin are more expensive than metal.
Talk to your dentist to learn more about inlays and onlays near you. They’ll help determine which material is best for your unique dental case.
Receiving Inlays and Onlays
Receiving inlays and onlays is a straightforward process but it does require you to attend at least two separate appointments.
During your first visit, your dentist will examine your mouth and they’ll most likely take some x-rays as well. Each of these measures helps them establish an in-depth understanding of your oral health and identify the extent of care that you require to get things back to normal.
Once you’ve been given local anesthesia to keep you comfortable, your dentist will get to work cleaning your teeth. Impressions will be made of your teeth before a temporary filling is placed. The impressions are sent to the dental lab where your inlays and onlays are produced. This can take anywhere from two to three weeks to do.
When they’re ready, you’ll return to have them placed. Your dentist will double-check that your device correctly satisfies your oral dimensions and that everything looks normal with your bite. Then, you’re all good to go!
It’s a smart idea to book a consultation with your dentist near you before committing to any type of dental procedure. They’ll walk you through each aspect of the process, so you aren’t met with any surprises.
Taking Care of Your Inlays and Onlays
As is the case with any dental procedure, just because your tooth has been repaired doesn’t mean that you don’t need to prioritize your oral health any longer. You still need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and attend routine cleanings and checkups. Avoid using your teeth to open packages and eating too-hard foods like ice will also help preserve your teeth.
If you take good care of your oral hygiene, your inlays and onlays can last up to thirty years, maybe more.
Are you interested in receiving inlays and onlays in Sherwood Park? At Aspire Dental, we’re here to help you with whatever you need. Everyone deserves to have a beautiful, functioning smile, and that’s why our staff is happy to walk alongside you on your dental journey. Call or visit our website today!