Restorative dental procedures are used to return damaged or decayed teeth to full function and health. You’re probably familiar with our more common restorations, such as crowns or fillings. However, we also offer inlays and onlays to restore teeth. How do inlays and onlays differ from crowns or fillings?
How Dental Damage Impacts Your Smile
Despite being coated in the hardest substance in the human body, our teeth can still become damaged. Chips or cracks can occur and the enamel can become weakened by poor oral hygiene, allowing decay and eventually, an infection to develop. Along with uncomfortable symptoms, such as toothaches, comes a greater risk of losing the tooth in question. As a result, repairing a tooth is essential for maintaining good oral health.
Dental Crowns
This restoration fits over the entire visible portion of the tooth. We can use them to reshape malformed teeth, mask discoloration, repair decayed or infected teeth, and restore broken or fractured teeth. We can even use them to restore dental implants or anchor a dental bridge in place. Using CEREC technology, fabrication and placement now only takes a single visit instead of two to three.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays differ because unlike crowns, they are designed to only repair certain parts of a tooth. These are often prescribed for people who have damage or decay but don’t need a full restoration. An inlay replaces the portions of the top of the tooth between the cusps. An onlay is used to restore the cusps on the top of the teeth. Like crowns, these are made from lifelike porcelain materials. If you have any questions about our restorations, then please contact our office today.
ABOUT YOUR WINNETKA, IL, COSMETIC DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and our highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including: Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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