Dental Restorations Worcester

Dental fillings are familiar as restoratives for teeth that have been eroded by tooth decay. But they are not the only option for addressing cavities. At Pearla Dental, we offer not only traditional fillings, but also indirect fillings. These are known as onlays and inlays and they’re available from our Worcester restorative dentist.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Like typical fillings, onlays and inlays are strong, durable, and safe. Unlike fillings, though, they are crafted in the dental lab rather than on the spot. They are then custom fit and bonded to your tooth. This efficiency and precision means that you will get to keep more of your natural tooth material with onlays and inlays than you do with a filling. They also match your tooth color extremely well, so they are cosmetically beneficial too. Perhaps best of all, they help in preventing future tooth decay. Onlays and inlays from our Worcester restorative dentist seal off your tooth more effectively than fillings, making it much more difficult for bacteria to get inside. In some cases, onlays and inlays can make a decayed tooth even stronger than it was before the decay first occurred. Onlays and inlays are basically the same thing, but an inlay is bonded to the center of your tooth whereas an onlay is extended over a larger area or even the entire biting area.

Their drawbacks compared to fillings are that inlays and onlays are most effective with small or medium sized cavities. Larger cavities are usually better served by fillings. Also, you will need two visits to our Worcester restorative dentist in order to have an onlay or inlay placed. The first session will consist of preparing the tooth and taking a molded impression that will be sent off to the dental lab. During the second visit, your new onlay or inlay will be fitted and bonded. Resin or porcelain are often used for front teeth since these materials give you the tooth color match mentioned earlier. For back teeth, metal such as gold is typically suggested. This is due to the fact that your back teeth require stronger material to stand up to the force of chewing. And since they are not visible, the color is not nearly as important. You can discuss your preferences when you come in. Please call us today and arrange an appointment.

Dental Fillings Worcester
490 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01605
508-869-4225

By Pearla Dental

April 23, 2014