As you age, it’s natural for your teeth to experience some minor decay. However, left unchecked, this decay can cause serious issues for your bite, bone health, and daily life.
While minor decay, like cavities, has simple solutions, worse issues could require more intensive procedures. However, you might not want to completely replace decaying teeth with crowns and implants. In these cases, inlays and onlays offer an excellent solution for tooth decay.
Dr. Lei Shi and his team of qualified dental assistants offer a wide range of dental restoration practices to improve your oral health. Call Spectrum Family Dentistry to schedule a new patient consultation.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Many people don’t realize that there is a middle-ground dental solution between dental fillings and implants. Inlays and onlays attach to the specific section of your teeth most impacted by decay. As their names suggest, an inlay fits inside your tooth structure while an onlay attaches over the remaining healthy tooth.
Custom-made from a composite material, dental professionals can integrate inlays and onlays in only two appointments. Avoid an entire tooth replacement by asking Spectrum Family Dentistry if your decay qualifies for inlays and onlays.
Why Inlays or Onlays Might Be a Good Option for You
The size, placement, and type of tooth decay you’re experiencing are the primary factors that determine your candidacy for inlays and onlays. Minor cavities might only require fillings to resolve. However, inlays and onlays are ideal for medium to large-sized cavities where a good portion of your tooth remains healthy.
Inlays are more appropriate when tooth decay occurs mostly in the center part of your teeth. Larger cavities that stretch from cusp to cusp might require an onlay that completely caps the tooth. Dr. Shi will inspect your tooth decay to determine the best treatment solution for you.
Our Inlays and Onlays Process
Spectrum Family Dentistry offers a simple, pain-free inlays and onlays attachment process that occurs in only two appointments. During the first appointment, we remove the decaying section of your tooth, leaving only the healthy parts. After this preparation step, our assistants will either take impressions or scan your teeth with CAD/CAM technology to get precise measurements for your inlays and onlays.
These measurements enable us to create custom inlays and onlays from composite materials that fill your decay exactly. During your second appointment, we will attach these molds to your teeth to restore their appearance and functionality.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
There are many benefits to opting for inlays and onlays over other treatments. Consider this dental solution because it:
- Reduces dental pain
- Looks natural and realistic
- Takes only two appointments
- Enables full oral functionality
- Strengthens your jaw bone and bite
- Preserves the healthy parts of your teeth
- Made from safe, composite materials that don’t cause tooth discoloration
Call Today to Resolve Tooth Decay With Spectrum Family Dentistry
For more information about getting dental inlays and onlays for your tooth decay, call (919) 278-7576 and schedule a new patient consultation today.
