Sometimes there are situations where a tooth is too damaged for a filling, but not damaged enough for a crown. What is there to do in that spot? Well, that’s where dental inlays and onlays come in. While inlays and onlays have many similarities, there is a difference between them too. Let’s take a look at the difference between inlays and onlays from a cosmetic dentist in Ft Lauderdale.
Inlays and onlays are often referred to as lab made fillings or three-quarter crowns due to their design. Essentially, they look like a partial dental crown that leaves a portion of your natural tooth still exposed. Inlays and onlays are the same kind of restoration, but they cover different proportions of the tooth. Inlays go inside of a tooth when a large part has been hollowed out. An onlay goes over areas such as cusps to rebuild the structure while also repairing any damage. Similar to crowns, both inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, zirconia, gold, etc. The biggest benefit of opting for an inlay or onlay as opposed to going ahead and getting a crown is that you’re able to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
At TLC dental we want you to have a smile that you will love. That is why we offer a range of cosmetic dental procedures including inlays and onlays. Contact us today to learn more about our procedures or to request a reservation.
