Inlays & Onlays Restoration in Fort Nelson
Here at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic, we’re dedicated to helping our patients find inlays and onlays that work for them. If you don’t like the idea of having a silver colored filling in your mouth or the damage to your tooth is too extensive, an inlay or onlay may be right for you. They are also typically less costly than a full dental crown and can be less invasive.
Indirect fillings (another name for inlays/onlays) are a strong and longer-lasting solution to tooth decay, cracked, or chipped teeth. The friendly staff at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic is devoted to getting you from consultation to procedure with comfort and confidence. Schedule your appointment for an inlay or onlay today.
What are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are much like fillings in that they are both used to fix a damaged tooth. However, while a filling is shaped to the tooth during your dental visit, an onlay or inlay is made entirely in a dental laboratory. One of the two is then placed in the tooth (inlays) or onto the tooth (onlays), and bonded to the damaged enamel.
A dental restoration which requires material to be bonded within the tooth’s center is considered an inlay whereas restorations involving the entire biting surface or one or more points (or “cusps”) of a tooth are onlays. Both inlays and onlays are resistant to occlusal (biting) forces, offer protection against recurrent decay, and can be easily cleaned and maintained. They are typically made from either gold or porcelain and can last for up to 30 years.
When Do You Need a Dental Inlay or Onlay?
There are a couple reasons your dentist may suggest a dental inlay or onlay. Dental inlays and onlays may be used to repair cracked or chipped teeth when they cannot be fixed by a filling, but aren’t so damaged that they need further treatment (such as a root canal). They may also be used to preserve the integrity of a decaying tooth. Inlays and onlays can be used to restore function to a damaged tooth as well as to repair or replace dental fillings.
If you feel you are in need of either an inlay or an only, contact the professionals at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic today. The friendly and experienced staff at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic will work with Fort Nelson patients, providing them with the information and answers needed to have comfort and confidence throughout their procedure. Call Northern Rockies Dental Clinic today at (250) 774-4484 or request an appointment online.
The cost of dental inlays and onlays may range from $250 to 1,500 before insurance. The price range may vary based on a number of factors. One factor is the location of the tooth or the number of teeth being worked on. Back teeth such as the molars are more difficult to prepare for and work on than front teeth. Gold inlays and onlays can be very expensive depending on the current market. Porcelain may also be costly if it’s made by a skilled dental technician, which is more desirable. Finally, the bigger the inlay/onlay is, the more expensive it can be expected to be.
Inlays and onlays definitely have a future in dentistry for a few reasons starting with their natural look. People’s teeth change color over time. With new advances in the material used to make dental bridges, dentists can better match the bridge to your teeth.
An inlay can be described as “smaller” than an onlay. An inlay covers one cusp of the tooth and is less of a arduous process. However onlays are bigger, covering two or more cusps.
