What Are Inlays and Onlays in Dentistry? Are Onlays Better Than Fillings?
Damages to your teeth from decay or injuries can occur in different degrees. For example, some cracks are restored by dental fillings, and some need dental crowns if you have extensive weakening of the tooth. However, have you ever heard about alternatives like dental inlays and Onlays that are appropriate to restore your teeth damaged from injuries or decay? If not, please continue reading to learn more about dental inlays and Onlays.
Generally, dentists use fillings to restore the teeth if you have tiny cavities. Unfortunately, if you have deep decay or more significant fractures, you need a dental crown. However, you may confront situations when a dental filling is insufficient, and a dental crown is too much to protect your tooth. In such cases, dentists recommend inlays or Onlays if they need something appropriate to fill the gaps.
The Benefits of Having Dental Fillings and Onlays
Dental fillings help restore minor cavities in your teeth and the spaces between the cusps. The fillers help prevent additional damage to the tooth by keeping bacteria out of the hole. However, if you have more significant damage to a tooth and need a filler to cover a larger area, including the cusps, you find an onlay beneficial. Onlays function similar to crowns without encasing the tooth. Fillings and Onlays are both made and also serve the same function. However, they cover different areas of the tooth to protect it when tooth decay is present.
The Inlays and Onlays Procedure
Dental inlays and Onlays in Okemos are both indirect restorations confirming they need customization in a dental laboratory before you can have them over your decayed or damaged tooth. Porcelain or composite material help make inlays and Onlays in a dental laboratory after the dentist prepares your tooth, similar to a dental filling. You receive local anesthesia in your mouth before the dentist drills the cavity, cleans the area, and provides a temporary onlay after creating impressions of it for the dental laboratory.
Extensive tooth enamel removal is not required for dental Onlays helping the dentist preserve much of your tooth structure. However, if you prefer getting dental crowns, you must endure extensive tooth structure removal beyond the cusps. Onlays are partial crowns because they function similarly by covering merely a portion of the tooth instead of encasing it.
Are Inlays and Onlays Expensive?
Compared to dental fillings, you can expect to pay more for inlays and Onlays. The costs of inlays and Onlays depend on several factors, including the experience and expertise of the dentist and the material used for making the restoration. Onlays tend to be more expensive if you need extensive repairs, but generally, the costs of inlays and Onlays are similar. However, you can expect to pay around $ 650-$ 1200 per tooth that needs restoration.
If you choose to have porcelain inlays and Onlays, the costs will be higher because the restoration appears to be natural tooth enamel. You can also have gold inlays or Onlays that are noticeable but also affordable. Composite resin restorations are more affordable than porcelain but are not stain-resistant. They can get discolored with time and are the least durable among all other materials.
How much you pay for these restorations will depend on your tooth’s damage. The costs can escalate if deep decay spreads around a large area. The costs for inlays don’t expand like Onlays because the area covered is smaller.
You may not require sedation when getting inlays or Onlays. Dentists usually recommend local anesthesia during the procedure. However, if you are anxious about dental work, you can ask for sedation but must factor in the service costs. It would be best if you also looked for an experienced provider to restore your teeth with inlays and Onlays.
Inlays and Onlays are not similar to fillings because they require multiple visits to the dentist. Fillings are inexpensive, and the procedure is completed in one visit. However, inlays and Onlays perform better than fillings and are incredibly durable with proper dental hygiene. However, you must ensure that you get the restorations from an experienced provider like Okemos Smile Center to benefit from them.