Dental Inlays and Onlays in El Paso, TX
What are Inlays and Onlays?
Classified somewhere between a tooth-colored filling and a full crown, an inlay or onlay can fix a decayed or damaged tooth. Used on premolars and molars, a dental inlay covers the concave middle of a tooth, and onlays cover the tooth’s upper, rounded edges. Like dental fillings and crowns, inlays and onlays can be made in several materials — porcelain, metal, and composite resin. Dr. Tracy Provenghi can help you better understand tooth-colored fillings, crowns, inlays, and onlays so you can make the right decision about treating your teeth at Awesome Smiles. Contact our El Paso, TX dental facility to arrange an appointment.
How do Inlays and Onlays Work?
After applying a numbing cream to your gums, Dr. Provenghi will start by cleaning out regions of decay. Stronger techniques of sedation can be used if needed. Once the enamel is cleaned, we will take digital impressions of your tooth. As soon as your inlay or onlay is created in our in-house lab, Dr. Provenghi will carefully set and bond it onto your tooth. We will polish the borders or adjust the fit so that your tooth is suitably coated and feels right. If just local anesthesia is used, you will be able to leave following your procedure and get back to your normal activities. You may experience mild discomfort, inflammation, or sensitivity for several days after your onlay or inlay is placed.
Strengthen Your Teeth
It is important to take care of a damaged or decayed tooth before it becomes a painful and expensive issue. Learn more about dental inlays and onlays to strengthen your dental health at Awesome Smiles. Our team in El Paso, TX can help improve your smile and oral health by using the ideal treatment to meet your needs.
Inlays and Onlays FAQs
A dental inlay is used to cover and protect vulnerable areas on the concave chewing surface of a molar, while a dental onlay may cover the chewing surface as well as a portion of the outer cusps of the teeth.
It is helpful to think of dental inlays and onlays as a "middle ground" between standard fillings and full crowns. Dental inlays and onlays can provide more protection and a greater area of coverage compared with fillings, and they offer a less invasive solution than crowns, which often require more extensive preparation. The choice between a dental inlay/onlay and a crown will depend on the level of damage and/or decay your tooth shows, as well as other individual factors.
Welcome to the Awesome Smiles Family
Our mission is simple: to help every patient enjoy a healthy smile and a positive dental experience. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice and helping you achieve your oral health goals for years to come.
Contact Awesome Smiles today to schedule your appointment and experience the difference personalized dental care can make.