Inlays and Onlays in West Vancouver
If you have small cavities in the teeth, your dentist will use composite fillings to treat them. Inlays and onlays are two types of filling that are also used to restore damaged or decayed teeth. Inlays are used for teeth where the decay lies between the two cusps of the teeth. If the decay only affects one cusp of the tooth, an onlay will be used instead.
Inlays and Onlays Vs. Fillings
Inlays and onlays are generally preferred when the tooth is too damaged to use a conventional filling. While smaller cavities are filled with a soft composite material after the damaged area of the tooth is removed, inlays and onlays are pre-formed in the dental lab and are fabricated to fit perfectly inside the gap.
Crowns Vs. Onlays
The decision to use a crown or an onlay depends on the extent of decay in the tooth. Onlays are ideal for use when only smaller areas of decay are present on the cusp of the tooth. If, however, a significant portion of the tooth is either damaged or decayed, your dentist may suggest the use of a crown to restore the tooth.