If you have cracks in your teeth, don’t panic. And don’t be embarrassed. You can get your teeth restored on your next visit to the dental clinic. Don’t worry even if fillings haven’t worked for your teeth. You dentist will suggest inlays and onlays in such a case.

An inlay is a restorative treatment for cracked or broken teeth. Inlays are used for a tooth that is not too damaged to require crowns. An inlay is made of porcelain, gold, or composite resins. An inlay is typically applied to the chewing are of the tooth.

Onlays are the same as inlays except that they cover more than one tooth. Onlays are spread over the chewing surface of multiple teeth.

Inlays and onlays are avaialble in two forms: direct and indirect. The direct inlay/onlay is fixed directly in the tooth. It is then taken out and hardened and then fixed again. The indirect inlay/onlay is prepared in stages: first a mould is prepared by using a soft material on the tooth; next, the mould helps prepare the actual inlay/onlay in the laboratory. The patient is given temporary filling while the inlay/onlay is being made.

Thanks to advancements in dentistry, the restoration of your teeth can be done in only one visit to the dental clinic. Your dentist will numb the area around your tooth using anesthesia, and the treatment will be carried on.

So, don’t worry about those ugly cracks on your teeth. Just seek an appointment with the dentist.

Happy smiling!

Tags: cracked teeth, inlays, onlays