What is an onlay?
Onlays are made out of porcelain just like inlays. However, onlays are a more substantial reconstruction; extending out over one or more of the cusps of a tooth. Where a crown may have been necessary, an onlay can often be used to repair the damaged portion of the tooth; leaving much more original tooth structure intact. Onlays are also made in the lab and will require a return visit. Your temporary should hold up to normal wear until your return appointment.
What is an inlay?
Inlays are similar to fillings and are used inside the cusp tips of a tooth. Inlays are created out of porcelain, allowing us to perfectly match the color of your natural tooth; making the restoration invisible to the naked eye. Much like a crown we will create a temporary inlay for your tooth, take an impression and send the model to the lab for the porcelain restoration to be made. You will need to see us for a second appointment to have the final inlay bonded to the tooth and polished.
Are silver/black fillings good for me?
Amalgam is the generic term applied to a variety of very similar products used in dentistry to fill cavities in teeth. Amalgam is also known as the silver filling (due to its shiny appearance), or the silver-mercury filling. Amalgam literally means mixed with mercury, and in the dental sense that is true.
What do you use to fill cavities?
A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide). Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth. Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used to restore decayed areas, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
