Inlays and Onlays

Got ugly amalgam (silver) fillings? Well did you know that not only are they unpleasant to look at, they can be harmful to your teeth?!?! Since the silver fillings contain metal they can expand and contract with heat and cold temperatures, causing stress on the teeth. Eventually, the tooth can no longer take the stress and fracture. If detected and treated early with an inlay or onlay you can avoid the tooth breaking, which can lead to possible root canals and crowns or even worse an extraction of the tooth.

Inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns. These partial crowns are utilized when there is still a healthy portion of the natural tooth to work with. An inlay or onlay is a like a puzzle piece that will be fitted into the remaining portion of the tooth to help increase its strength. This piece is usually crafted out of porcelain or gold, but can also be made of a composite material. Dr. Dahlkemper will make the determination as to which restoration will work best in your specific situation.

An inlay is used when there is no damage to any of the cusps (edges) of your tooth. The inlay is essentially placed snugly within these cusps. An onlay is used when there is slightly more extensive damage to the tooth structure. This type of restoration is placed over at least one of the cusps on the tooth.

Inlays and onlays are the best way to preserve as much tooth as possible without having to prepare the entire tooth as needed for a crown. The inlay and onlay are bonded to the tooth and looks natural.

If you are worried about your silver fillings, contact the office and Dr. Dahlkemper will be more than happy to provide a complimentary consult to discuss proper care and treatment.