About Inlays and Onlays for Dental Care Treatment
When it comes to achieving excellent dental health, there are plenty of options to consider. Undergoing expert cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry treatment will allow you to have a smile that's health and looks its absolute best for years to come.
Two serious dental health issues that people often have to deal with are tooth decay and tooth erosion. Let's take a moment right now to go over the basics of these and one way that they can be effectively treated.
About Tooth Decay an Tooth Erosion
Tooth decay refers to the loss of healthy tooth structure as a result of the bacteria in the mouth. Tooth erosion, on the other hand, refers to the loss of tooth structure as a result an acidic pH in the mouth. Both of these dental problems will cause the tooth structure to become weakened and destroyed.
When the tooth decay or tooth erosion are not too serious, the best option for treatment is the use of dental fillings. For more serious cases of tooth decay and erosion, the ideal option to consider is an inlay or an onlay.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are similar in a lot of ways to dental fillings, though they are larger and able to restore more substantial portions of the tooth structure, including the cusps (biting surfaces) of the teeth.
Best Candidates for Inlays and Onlays
The best candidates for inlays and onlays are people who have experienced tooth injury or tooth decay that is too severe to be treated with a traditional dental filling.
Inlays and Onlays Treatment
During inlay and onlay treatment, the patient will first need to have his or her teeth carefully prepped. This means the removal of damaged or decayed tooth structure, leaving behind as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Once this is done, an impression is taken of the prepped tooth. It is from this impression that the inlay or onlay will be crafted. The completed inlay or onlay will be checked for fit before being adhered in place.
Alternatives to Inlays and Onlays
While inlays and onlays are a great dental restoration option for serious decay or damage, there are other dental restorations out there as well. In cases where inlays and onlays are no longer able to restore tooth structure, the last option is a dental crown. Dental crowns are caps that fit over the damaged or decayed tooth to restore appearance and/or structure and integrity while also preventing tooth sensitivity and discomfort.
The Best Options for You and Your Needs
In all cases, it's ideal for dental health professionals to act as conservatively as possible. By maintaining as much of a patient's natural tooth structure as they can, overall dental wellness is maintained for years to come.
With than in mind, the ideal thing that you can do is to practice proper dental hygiene at home and to visit your dentist twice a year. Just doing this can help maintain optimal dental health for years down the road.
Learn More About Advanced Dental Restoration Treatment
If you would like more information about inlays and onlays as well as your many other options for dental health treatment, be sure to contact our Montreal dental care center today. The entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible results in overall wellness.
