Dr. Louis Bush DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Over 20 Years Experience
8616 Menaul Blvd. NE, Suite D,
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Appts. Call 505.582.2946
Inlays & Onlays
When it comes to tooth repair, many people have experience with getting a filling or crown, few know the difference between those, inlays, and onlays.
While there are times when fillings will fix a small cavity, there are times when the damage is a little too much for a standard filling, but not enough for a full crown or onlay. For these cases, an inlay is the perfect solution!
An inlay consists of removing the decayed portion of the tooth while replacing it with a solid substance like porcelain, gold, or composite resin. The purpose is to create a chewing surface that resembles more of the tooth's natural state. The added bonus of an inlay versus a standard filling is that fillings last on average of about 10 years, whereas an inlay lasts about 30 years.
Onlays are similar to an inlay, but are used when the tooth damage is beyond a filling or inlay, but not quite enough for a crown to be required.
For an onlay, a larger portion of the decayed tooth is removed. Like an inlay, a mold of the tooth is made from either composite resin, gold, or porcelain, so it more resembles the original tooth. Once an onlay is placed, it's designed to last up to three times longer than a standard filling.
So, what's the difference between an onlay and a crown? The answer is simple. While an onlay fixes a portion of the tooth, usually the chewing surface, a crown covers the full tooth. This is typically needed when there is damage to large amounts of the entire tooth.
If you're unsure of whether you need a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown, don't stress. TLC Dental Center, Albuquerque's most reliable dentistry, can help. Give us a call to schedule a dental exam and cleaning, and we'll help you map out a road towards better dental care and health. Give TLC Dental Center a call to schedule an appointment, today!
