Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS

By Arthur Kezian

According to Dr. Kezian, most dental patients know what a dental filling is and know what the process actually involves. But many may not know about dental inlays and onlays. In order to restore damage that has occurred on a biting surface of a tooth, a dentist may sometimes suggest a Dental Inlay or Onlay instead of a full crown. Unlike a full crown, inlays and onlays do not cover the entire tooth which in turn does not affect your biting ability. Moreover, they blend naturally and are the same color of your tooth. Inlays and onlays are both done by cementing a filling made of gold or porcelain; Porcelain has become a material of choice because of its longevity and natural look.

What Is A Dental Inlay?

  • An inlay in similar to a filling and lies inside the cusp tips of your tooth.
  • They are custom made for fitting accurately inside the tooth.
  • The process is completed in two visits.
  • On your first visit, Dr. Kezian and staff will clean and prepare your tooth for the inlay. An impression of your tooth will also be made and sent to the laboratory, where your inlay will be prepared from either gold or porcelain. After that, your tooth will be sealed with a temporary sealant.
  • On your second visit, the temporary sealant will be removed and the gold or porcelain fillings will be cemented inside the cusp tips of your tooth.

 

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What Is A Dental Onlay?

  • An Onlay is similar to an Inlay, but the only difference is that it covers a larger part of the tooth. It covers one or more cusps of the tooth.
  • Since dental onlays are an extensive reconstruction as compared to an inlay, they are only advised in case a substantial reconstruction is required.
  • They cover a large part as compared to an inlay, but smaller than a crown.

Do I Need An Inlay Or Onlay?

  • If your oral health is suffering from problems like cavities or any other dental damage, then yes.
  • If your problem is too severe for a basic filling but is not severe enough for a full crown, then this treatment is applied.
  • Inlays are more natural and looking than fillings or crowns and are more durable.

 

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Types Of Dental Inlays And Onlays

There are two types of Dental Inlays and Onlays:

  • Tooth-colored inlays and onlays
  • Gold inlays and onlays

What Are Tooth-Colored Inlays And Onlays?

  • They are also known porcelain fillings. Several tooth-colored inlays and onlays have been developed for constructing the larger defects of the back teeth.
  • They are often made of porcelain,  because it looks more natural.
  • These fillings are developed in laboratories and are made with a form of liquid plastic cement.

What are Gold Inlays and Onlays?

  • Gold inlays and onlays make use of gold fillings instead of porcelain fillings.
  • Dentists used to believe that gold was the longest lasting material for dental fillings; however, they are expensive compared to tooth-colored inlays and onlays.
  • It is also an extra expertise for the dentist to fit them inside the teeth properly

If you are suffering from cavity problems and want to avoid a full crown or amalgam filling, then please feel free to visit Dr. Kezian and staff!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777