Inlays And Onlays: A Cosmetic Dentistry Primer

Posted on: 22 August 2016

There are numerous cosmetic dentistry procedures you might want to pursue. Inlays and onlays happen to be two of the most common. The former is a process that is similar to that of a filling, although a composite mixture is used to "fill in" any damaged or cracked area. Onlays are a essentially a cast prosthetic tooth made from the same composite resin as inlays. They are placed over the damaged tooth in question. You might be a bit confused about the process and results of inlays and onlays. Don't worry, this brief guide will give you a bit more information about both of these procedures. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to contact a local and trusted cosmetic dentist and ask them a few questions.

Aesthetic Issues

Although inlays and onlays both offer structural and integral support to your teeth, many people choose one – or both – of these options because they can help improve the aesthetics of your smile. Perhaps the most appealing thing about inlays and onlays is that they lend themselves to a natural appearance. The composite resin used in their construct is color matched to your teeth, making it incredibly difficult to discern that the tooth in question is actually comprised of composite resin. Fillings and other types of false teeth are often metallic looking and lend themselves to attention due to the fact that they look so radically different than the rest of your teeth.

Hygiene Issues

It is actually easier to keep your teeth clean if you opt for the option of inlays and onlays rather than fillings. Fillings can be difficult to manage for one reason: plaque often times will escape your tooth brush or floss due to the fact that it manages to find itself in between the filling and the tooth itself. Inlays and onlays are both much more tightly "filled" into or onto your teeth, respectively. There are fewer cracks which plaque can slip into. This does not mean that you should be lax about taking care of your oral hygiene, however. Teeth that make use of inlays and onlays should be cleaned at least twice a day.

Strength

Inlays and onlays are typically quite resilient. They tend to be handle quite a bit of stress and duress to the mouth and they typically last just as long as fillings do. Even those that suffer from bruxism, or uncontrollable teeth grinding, do quite well with inlays and onlays.

For more information, contact companies like Fresh Wave Dental Care PC. 

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