An experienced cosmetic dentist spends much of their time repairing the damage that results from tooth decay. Hundreds of patients and many years of practice afford cosmetic dentists intimate knowledge of different tooth restoration techniques, giving them the instinct and ability to choose the ideal dental restoration for every possible scenario.
Two such restorations are inlays and overlays. You might need one of them if you have extensive tooth decay that affects a sizable portion of your tooth. Read on to find out how cosmetic dentists use inlays and overlays to restore the health and aesthetics of damaged teeth.
Many people seek out cosmetic dentists because they want to correct dental problems and the imperfections they cause. Some patients have crowded, crooked or missing teeth. Many others have discoloration and breakage that happen as a result of tooth decay. For such patients, dental restorations like fillings, crowns, inlays, onlays and overlays become viable treatment options.
An inlay is an indirect filling that restores a tooth with a large cavity. Dentists fabricate or request inlays that fit perfectly into a hole caused by moderate tooth decay. An experienced cosmetic dentist will only use an inlay to fill a hole that is right in the middle of a molar.
The only way an inlay works is if there is dental tissue all around it. This means that an inlay will only cover the biting surface in the middle of the tooth, but not the cusps or edges of the tooth. Here is how cosmetic dentists install inlays:
Dental inlays only come into play if a molar has a fairly small cavity; one that does not affect the surfaces that face the tongue, the cheeks or adjacent teeth. A dentist will instead opt for an overlay if the damage to the tooth is more extensive.
Overlays correct advanced decay in the inner molar and a portion of the biting surface. An overlay not only fills a cavity, but it also covers a significant portion of the biting surface. Overlays cover one or two of the cusps that frame the edges of a molar.
Dentists install overlays with the same procedure they use to install inlays. The only difference between the two types of restorations is the extent of coverage to the surface area of the tooth.
Contact our offices to set up an appointment with our experienced cosmetic dentist. After a thorough exam, the dentist will recommend a treatment plan that works for you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gledhilldental.com or call Gledhill Dental at (509) 800-8410 for an appointment in our Kennewick office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
It is amazing the amount of confidence that comes from the options for replacing missing teeth. The absence of a tooth or even multiple teeth can make daily tasks like eating and speaking more difficult than they must be. For those who suffer from this, just having the ability to learn more about options can…
There are a variety of common reasons people are missing teeth. Missing teeth can cause many oral health problems, including difficulty chewing food and the gradual movement and misalignment of your teeth over time. However, there are solutions to dealing with missing teeth, including dental implants, implant-supported bridges, and removable partial dentures. Read on to…
Full mouth reconstruction can restore the smile's functionality, appearance, and health even when multiple issues are at play. This treatment includes various dental procedures designed to address severe oral health concerns or extensive damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw. Often performed by a general dentist or prosthodontist, it delivers transformative results, helping patients achieve…
If you are someone with gaps in their smile, there are many options for replacing missing teeth available to you. A dental bridge is a time-honored solution for replacing missing teeth. Similar methods for replacing teeth have been used for thousands of years.A dental bridge is a single or series of false teeth, called pontics,…
It is amazing the amount of confidence that comes from the options for replacing missing teeth. The absence of a tooth or even multiple teeth can make daily tasks like eating and speaking more difficult than they must be. For those who suffer from this, just having the ability to learn more about options can…
There are a variety of common reasons people are missing teeth. Missing teeth can cause many oral health problems, including difficulty chewing food and the gradual movement and misalignment of your teeth over time. However, there are solutions to dealing with missing teeth, including dental implants, implant-supported bridges, and removable partial dentures. Read on to…