Crowns, Onlays and Inlays

Do you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed? Your dentist at Brandon Dental Care will discuss a number of different solutions that will help repair the tooth. If filling the tooth is not an option, you may be a good candidate for a crown, onlay or inlay depending on the current structure of the tooth and what the most optimal remedy might be.

Crowns, onlays and inlays are generally used when a tooth is too damaged and unstable to support a basic filling.

What are Crowns?

Crowns are protective coverings that fit over the entire tooth. While crowns are commonly used to cover a tooth that has heavy decay and is unfit for a filling, they can also be used to protect weak teeth, repair broken teeth or cover poorly shaped or badly colored teeth.

When preparing a tooth for a crown, your tooth may need to be filed down and shaped in order for the crown to fit properly. Using a crown can help restore your teeth to their optimal size, shape, color, and stability. Crowns can also be used to attach fixed bridges and cover dental implants.

What are Onlays?

When a tooth is too damaged or decayed to support a filling but not damaged enough for a dental crown, an onlay can be used. Onlays cover the inside middle portion of your tooth as well as the raised edges or cusps of the tooth. The option of choosing an onlay helps our patients by conserving as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible. If more decay occurs in coming years, there may still be plenty of tooth structure left to utilize a crown.

What are Inlays?

Inlays are used to cover smaller damaged areas of a tooth that are confined to the chewing surface of your tooth. The raised ridges on your teeth are called cusps. Inlays would fit below these cusps. They can be naturally colored to match your current teeth and provide protection and strength to a tooth that has decay or fractures.