FAQs about the ins and outs of dental inlays, onlays to rebuild teeth, and smiles
As a practice that lives up to its name, Advanced Dental knows that truly state-of-the-art dentistry is also minimally invasive and conservative! Dental inlays and onlays are a great fit with the many other tissue-preserving procedures available at our office in Aliso Viejo, California.
What are dental inlays and onlays?
These restorations largely represent a conservative alternative to “fuller coverage” restorations such as crowns. They may be recommended to strengthen vulnerable teeth that cannot be adequately repaired with a simple dental filling but are not so “far gone” as to require more extensive repair with a dental crown.
What is the difference between a dental inlay and onlay?
Inlays differ from onlays because they only replace the damaged structure on the tooth’s surface between the cusps or tips. Onlays are appropriate for patients with a tooth that has sustained damage to at least one damaged cusp. Due to the comparatively greater coverage and support an onlay provides, this option is sometimes called a “partial crown.” Onlays are indeed a step down from crowns in terms of the amount of tooth structure that is replaced. Crowns are designed to fit on top of the sterilized and reshaped tooth. So, they replace and strengthen the white part of the tooth that shows when you smile.
How do you place inlays or onlays?
Dr. Chitra uses only the most aesthetic and durable dental materials to design your inlay or onlay. These materials are color-matched to blend with the surrounding tooth structure and neighboring teeth. Once prepared, the inlay or onlay is applied and secured to the tooth. The natural tissue has also been “prepared” by removing any damaged tissue. So, we are effectively giving your tooth a “clean slate.”
How do you care for treated teeth?
Like natural ones! There is no special care required. And, for many of our patients at the office of Advanced Dental, no further treatment is needed for them. Just be consistent about brushing and flossing and maintaining routine checkups and professional services as recommended by Dr. Chitra. With good and appropriate care, these conservative restorations can last long. After all, when restorations preserve the utmost natural structure, they are poised to last and last. There is simply more natural tissue to secure to, which maximizes the strength and durability of the treated tooth and supports the most natural appearance, feel, and function.
Do not take a “wait and see” approach with oral problems. The underlying source of changes like bleeding gums or an aching tooth do not suddenly go away or get better without treatment. So, call Drs. Chitra Tiruveedula or Joseph Yang and our team in Aliso Viejo, CA, today at (949) 289-9993 if you are worried about a tooth or any other concerning changes to your mouth or if you are simply overdue for a checkup.
Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula
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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.
Dr. Joseph C. Yang
Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.