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If you are currently dealing with a tooth that has become decayed or damaged, you might wonder what your restoration options are when you visit your local Vista, California dentist. Will you need a filling? A crown? Are there other options?Â
There are restorative options that fall in between a filling and a dental crown, called porcelain inlays and onlays. Dr. Ryan Watkins and the team at Dreamtime Dentistry would like to tell you about these options and help you determine which will be best for your case.
When you have a tooth with a cavity, the first step will be to repair that cavity. Cavities are created when bacteria begin to decay your tooth. Once this decay is removed, a cavity is the result. To protect the long-term health of your decayed tooth, a filling will need to be placed. At Dreamtime Dentistry, Dr. Watkins and the team use porcelain fillings that are metal-free and extremely durable. However, when a tooth becomes too damaged for a filling, a dental crown may be needed.
A crown will be used when a tooth is severely weakened due to more extensive damage. This damage can result from extreme decay, damage, or a procedure like a root canal. Simply put, a dental crown is needed when the entire tooth needs protection. A crown will encapsulate the whole tooth, providing reinforcement and protection to the tooth’s structure.
Inlays and onlays are often viewed as a step that can be taken between a filling and a crown. A porcelain inlay can be utilized for minor tooth restoration or repair when a tooth becomes damaged from decay, a cavity, or a fracture. A porcelain inlay is a filling that is pre-molded to fit into the grooves of your tooth. An inlay is centered in the tooth and typically works best for decay that is not too extensive. Inlays are customized to match the shade of your natural tooth and are more durable than a traditional filling.
A porcelain onlay is very similar to an inlay, with the difference being that it covers more surface area of the tooth. An onlay will fit over the biting surface of your tooth and is often utilized in cases where decay or damage to the tooth is more extensive. An onlay is more similar to a dental crown as it covers the cap of the tooth, but it does not cover the entire tooth like a crown.
Whether you are getting an inlay or onlay, the first step will be to prepare your tooth by removing any decay or infection from the tooth. Then, we use porcelain fillings to restore your tooth. Our porcelain inlays and onlays can be fabricated in just one appointment. We take a scan with our CEREC PrimeScanner of your mouth and use our in-house lab with computer aided design to create your restorations with our CEREC PrimeMill and QuickFire ovens. These porcelain restorations are much more esthetic and durable than composite fillings. Once ready, Dr. Watkins will check the fit and cement the inlay or onlay into place to restore the tooth.
If you are interested in learning more about porcelain inlays and onlays or need to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Ryan Watkins and the team at Dreamtime Dentistry today by calling (760) 274-0993.