Know the best options to fill your smile with healthy teeth!

A smile with crooked, chipped, broken, or decayed teeth is nobody’s friend. It can crush your oral health, overall health, and self-esteem. The most common cause for poor dental health is tooth decay, the culprit behind all the dental problems from dental cavities to fractured teeth and even tooth loss. The earlier the dental issues are caught, the better the survival rate of the tooth is. To the best of their knowledge, most people believe that if a simple dental filling cannot restore the small cavity, the next step, as scary as it sounds, is the root canal option for the larger cavities or, even worse, tooth extraction. However, they do not know that larger or extensive cavities can be restored by another type of pre-made dental filling called inlays and onlays. Therefore, it is best to know your options and discuss them with your dentist. Some of you might be aware of what inlays and onlays are, but for those who do not, we have got you covered!

What are Inlays and Onlays? Inlay: Inlays are indirect or prefabricated restorations made to custom fit the dental cavities after the dentist prepares them. Inlays are done in multiple visits. On the first visit, the dentist cleans the tooth and prepares it by smoothening the edges. Once the cavity is prepared, a dental impression is taken and sent to the lab for fabrication. Meanwhile, a temporary filling is placed in the cavity, and the patient is sent home. As soon as the inlay comes from the lab, the patient is called in, and the pre-made inlay is perfectly cemented in the prepared cavity. The dentist will smoothen the surface until the patient is satisfied. Indications for inlay: An inlay is used to restore small cavities more on the grooves and edges of the tooth with the walls of the tooth present.

Onlay: Similar to an inlay, onlays are also an indirect dental filling or restoration. However, they are made for larger, more extensive cavities. The procedure is the same as the one used for an inlay. Indications for onlay: An onlay is used for a larger, extensive cavity with one or more but not all walls of the tooth missing. Dental materials used to fabricate an inlay and onlay: *Gold or other metals *Amalgam *Porcelain *Resin-composite.

What Does a Dental Inlay Look Like? An inlay or an onlay appears similar to a dental filling. An inlay seems like a small dental filling that covers a small surface of the tooth, usually in the middle. In comparison, an onlay appears like a larger restoration covering a more significant part of the tooth.

What is the Difference Between a Filling and an Inlay? People often tend to intermix dental fillings with an inlay as they both appear similar and can easily restore small cavities. Here are some key differences that set them both apart:

*A dental filling is direct restoration, while an inlay is an indirect restoration *A dental filling is mostly done in a single visit, but inlays requires multiple visits to the dental clinic *A dental filling is added in incremental layers into the prepared cavity, whereas an inlay is a single solid piece of filling that is cemented into the cavity * Inlays are used for cavities that are too big to be restored by simple dental fillings

Does Getting an Inlay Hurt? The procedure for a dental inlay is usually painless. However, the patient might feel slight pain if the tooth is deeply carious (deep cavity) or sensitive from damage, decay, or gum disease. Worry not, to eliminate the pain, the dentist can inject local anesthesia to numb the area so that you do not feel a thing! Remember, most of the pain is in your mind and fear. Just stay calm, and know that you are more aware of your options, it will help reduce dental anxiety. Studies have shown that almost no patient has ever reported labeling an inlay procedure as painful unless the dental treatment was incompatible or due to improper cleaning or cementing when secondary caries develop.

How Long Does an Inlay or Onlay Last? With proper oral hygiene maintenance and regular visits to the dentists, inlays can last from 5 to 20 years, while an onlay can last for about 10 to 30 years. Inlays and onlays are strong and durable, however, you would still need to avoid eating sticky and hard food.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays Inlays and onlays have given more power to restorative dentistry, allowing dentists to save the tooth from root canal therapy or extraction. Inlays provide many benefits over dental fillings, whereas onlays are considered better than dental crowns.

Inlays vs. Dental Fillings Inlays are more durable than a filling and last longer. They are more resilient to wear and tear and can repair a more significant portion of the cavity.

Onlays vs. Dental Crowns Even though, at times, dental crowns remain the only savior for the decayed or damaged tooth, onlays are considered less aggressive than crowns. They are less expensive, easy to manage, and pose no harm to the neighboring teeth. While for a crown to fit the affected tooth, at times, the surrounding teeth have to be trimmed for the crowns to fit.

Conclusion Compared to the dental fillings, an inlay and onlay are considered more comprehensive while more conservative compared to the dental crowns. Therefore, consult your dentists and get a dental examination done to know what, if any of them, suits you best!

The best filling is no filling at all!