A Natural Appearance With Inlays and Onlays

It goes without saying that decay caused by oral bacteria is often the biggest threat to an individual’s smile. What’s more, many people do not seek help in an efficient manner, often allowing these bacteria to wreak havoc on their oral structures and overall oral health before realizing that there is a significant problem. What’s more, appearance means a lot to a number of people, and there is a certain fear that accompanies dental treatment that lead individuals to believe their restorations will be extremely noticeable, tarnishing their vibrant grin. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist will address the spread of decay and how inlays and onlays can help.

An Alternative to Dental Crowns

Believe it or not, oral bacteria are present in every smile. When practicing consistent preventive care, these microorganisms can be kept at bay. If you do not have a thorough preventive routine, however, these bacteria can grow and thrive, eventually wreaking havoc on your smile. They tend to nestle in the warm, moist, hard-to-reach areas of your mouth where they feed on food particles and sugars you consume. If allowed to persist, they will release harmful acids that actively work to break down your tooth’s natural structure until a hole forms known as a cavity. Indeed, this is one of the earlier signs of decay, and if it is left unmanaged, it can grow and grow until it becomes a major concern.

Typically, cavities can be easily addressed with a composite resin filling and finished off with a dental crown to a encourage healthy recovery. The problem with this practice, however, is that these crowns are typically made from metal and very noticeable, blemishing your smile instantly. As an alternative, our office may recommend the use of dental inlays or onlays.

Lifelike Appearance

Dental inlays and onlays are an excellent option for individuals who receive a filling but do not want a dental crown. They are custom-crafted from dental porcelain to fit securely between the cusps of your tooth, or over one or more of your cusps. What’s more, the material utilized allows a near seamless appearance, encouraging effective healing without impacting your smile’s appearance. The white restoration is an excellent choice for front teeth so that your grin is not impacted when smiling or taking photos.

Added Strength

When it comes to cavities in the back molars, metal inlays or onlays often tend to be a popular option, as they provide added strength to withstand the excess pressure of the back molars but are not visible when smiling. For more information about your restorative dental options, reach out to our team.

Contact Our Office

For more information about the benefits of inlays and onlays or to schedule your appointment with our office, contact Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 today.