Inlays, outlays, crowns, fillings, and implants are the most common procedures of tooth restoration. Even to those well-versed with oral healthcare, the terms can get a bit confusing. These techniques are administered primarily based on the level of decay in the teeth and the size of the infected area or the number of teeth involved. Here is a brief overview of inlays.
WHAT IS A DENTAL INLAY?
Before understanding inlays, it's helpful to understand what a filling is. When a hole or cavity can be managed in a single sitting by one of our dental professionals, the preferred treatment is filling. A dental inlay is a procedure that lies somewhere between an ordinary filling and an onlay. It's prescribed when the hole or the dental cavity cannot be managed by a filling alone. Our dentists will analyze the condition of the cavity, clean the infected area, make an impression, and then arrange for a fabrication made of resin or ceramic that would fit the exact contours and shapes of the tooth. In simpler terms, when the cavity is spread out and covers more area, an onlay is preferred. Typically, the patient will have to visit us twice to get an inlay done.
WHEN TO GET A DENTAL INLAY
A filling, inlay, onlay or crown is recommended only after our doctors closely examine the condition of the teeth. The primary thing they look for is structural damage to the tooth that is visible and that affects the chewing surface. If it doesn't extend to the ends of the teeth and if the doctors believe that the damage is too large for a filling, an inlay will be suggested. If the damage isn't big enough for a crown, where a larger piece is fabricated, a dental inlay becomes the best option for the restoration of the tooth.
If you feel discomfort or localized pain in a particular part of your mouth and added sensitivity on a particular tooth while chewing food, it's time to give us a call. A dental inlay that would provide sturdy, long-term and near-permanent relief could be the answer to your problems.