Are you experiencing dental pain or discomfort due to cavities? Depending on the extent of decay, our dentist in Lebanon, IN, may recommend inlays and onlays to restore the full health, function, and appearance of your smile. In general, Dr. Lee may recommend an inlay or onlay to restore a tooth that has a cavity that’s too big for a filling but too small for a crown.
Here’s what else you need to know about dental inlays and onlays.
What are Inlays and Onlays?
There are two types of restorations that we use to repair decayed or damaged teeth: direct and indirect restorations. A filling is an example of a direct restoration because it’s applied and molded directly onto the tooth. A dental crown, however, would be an example of an indirect restoration because it’s made in a lab before being bonded to your tooth.
Similar to crowns, are indirect restorations. However, they’re less invasive because they don’t require us to remove nearly as much enamel to restore the tooth. Instead, our Lebanon dentist only removes the decayed structure while leaving the rest of the tooth intact.
As the name suggests, a fits inside the tooth. A dental onlay also fits inside the tooth, but includes one or more cusps. These cusps are the raised, pointed areas on a tooth’s chewing surface. Our dentist in Lebanon, IN, will need to conduct a thorough examination to determine whether an inlay or onlay is best for your situation.
Request an Appointment with Dr. Lee
Dr. Dwight B. Lee is an experienced dentist in Lebanon, Indiana. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you maintain a healthy smile for life. To request an appointment, please call our office at (765) 482-2400. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.