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Inlays and Onlays in Bingham Farms, MI

Enhance Your Teeth With Inlays and Onlays

When your oral health declines, you become more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. If these symptoms are left untreated, a traditional filling may not be enough to restore your smile, and leaving bacteria to roam free can lead to more serious problems like periodontal (gum) disease. 

That’s why Dr. Kosinski recommends inlays and onlays to treat your cavity and protect your mouth from further damage.

Man smiling

What are Inlays and Onlays?

inlay and onlay 3D modelIf more than half of your tooth’s biting surface has been damaged due to decay, Dr. Kosinski may use an inlay or onlay to restore it to full function. They are often referred to as partial crowns and are placed directly into the natural tooth. This not only restores the natural tooth’s shape but also helps strengthen it and protect it from further damage. They can be made from a variety of materials including gold, porcelain, or composite resin. 

An inlay is similar to a filling in that it is used to fill the hollows of the tooth and between the cusp of the tooth. The cusp of the tooth is the hard raised parts of your teeth responsible for chewing. If there is no damage to the cusp and the damage has not extended past the center of the infected tooth, the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. 

An onlay is similar to a crown in that it is used when there has been damage to the cusp but that damage does not extend to the roots. Unlike crowns, they don’t cover the entire surface of the tooth but they do work to cover a larger portion of the tooth’s surface in order to protect the inner portions of the tooth from further decay.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

woman smilingDr. Kosinski may recommend an inlay or onlay as a restoration option if you have a larger cavity or if the damage has not reached the tooth root. Some of the benefits of these treatments include:

  • Both inlays and onlays preserve more of your natural tooth compared to dental fillings and dental crowns.
  • Onlays can, at times, be used instead of a crown to restore misshapen teeth. 
  • Unlike fillings, inlays and onlays don’t shrink over time or as a result of temperature changes
  • Inlays and onlays won’t stain and are extremely durable. 
  • Because they are not just for cosmetic purposes, inlays and onlays are usually covered in part or in full by most dental insurances. 
  • They don’t require special cleaning requirements. You can brush and floss your teeth as usual.

What to Expect During Treatment

woman smiling while sitting in a dental chairInlays and onlays can be placed in two visits. We’ll use a local anesthetic to ensure a painless experience, and offer sedation options for patients with heightened anxiety about their procedure. 

First, Dr. Kosinski will thoroughly clean and prepare the affected tooth, making sure to remove any decay or debris. We’ll then take a detailed impression of the tooth to ensure a customized and color-matched inlay or onlay that will fit perfectly into your natural tooth. We’ll send the impression to a dental laboratory and provide you with a temporary inlay or onlay. On your next visit, we’ll recheck your tooth to make sure it’s completely clean before securing your permanent inlay or onlay with a dental adhesive. 

Post Op Instructions

woman eating a saladAfter your first visit:

  • It’s common to experience tooth or gum sensitivities for up to two days after the preparation of the tooth. If you experience these sensitivities for a longer period of time, please contact our office. 
  • Due to the local anesthetic, you may experience some numbness. In this case, avoid chewing or biting on the affected area until the numbness subsides. We recommend softer foods in the meantime. 
  • While brushing and flossing are still encouraged, be gentle cleaning around the temporary restoration. 
  • Avoid crunchy, hard, or chewy foods. 
  • If any damage to the temporary restoration occurs, call our office so that we can repair it. Do not attempt to fix it on your own. 

After the restoration is complete:

  • Avoid crunchy, hard, or chewy foods for at least 24 hours so the dental adhesive has time to fully bond. 
  • It’s common to experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods. It should not last longer than six weeks. 
  • Avoid chewing ice or other hard objects as it can cause damage to the restoration. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are inlays and onlays the same as fillings and crowns?
How long do inlays and onlays last?

Are inlays and onlays the same as fillings and crowns?

No—while they all serve to restore your tooth to full function and protect you from further tooth decay, inlays, onlays, fillings, and crowns are all different. The amount of damage your tooth has sustained will determine which treatment option Dr. Kosinski recommends for you. 

  • Dental fillings are designed to “fill” the small hollow spaces in the teeth that cavities cause. 

 

  • Inlays are used when the cavities grow too large for dental fillings and only the grooves of the teeth are affected. 
  • Onlays are used when the decay has affected the cusp (raised biting surface) of the tooth.
  • Dental crowns are used when the decay has affected a significant portion of the surface of the tooth, including the cusps. A crown is a porcelain cap that sits atop the tooth to protect it from further damage.

How long do inlays and onlays last?

With proper care, inlays and onlays can last upwards of 20 to 30 years. It’s important to implement a consistent at-home oral hygiene routine and schedule a dental visit with us at least once every six months. The combination of at-home and in-office care will not only preserve the longevity of your inlay or onlay but will also help prevent further tooth decay. 

A proper routine includes:

  1. Brushing twice a day. Make sure to do this after meals especially. 
  2. Flossing once a day. Ideally at night so that debris is not sitting in your mouth throughout the night. 
  3. Rinsing after meals. This ensures your mouth is free of debris throughout the day.

Protect Your Smile With Dr. Kosinski

At SmileCreator of Bingham Farms, our goal is to provide you with the highest quality care to ensure the longevity of your smile and overall health. So, we recommend inlays and onlays as efficient and effective treatments for the effects of tooth decay. To learn more about inlays, onlays, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kosinski, call our Bingham Farms office at 248-646-8651 or fill out our online form.

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Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS

31000 Telegraph Rd., Suite 170
Bingham Farms, MI 48025

248-646-8651

allquestions@smilecreator.net

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The materials on this web site is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of consultation with appropriate professionals. Diagnosis or recomendation of treatment for a specific situation or individual would require a dental examination, review of health and necessary x-rays and/or other diagnostic aids.
Dr Kosinski is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan. © 2010, All Rights Reserved – Dr. Timothy Kosinski.