Different Restorative Dentistry Options

Damaged and decayed teeth have lost critical tooth structure, making them weaker and prone to more damage. They must be restored to protect them from further damage and help them remain strong so that they can continue to function as they should. Our dentist in North Hollywood can help you decide on the best restorations for your dental health.

1. Fillings
Fillings are the most conservative restoration and are used when teeth have small cavities, chips, or similar types of damage. The decayed tissue is cleaned, and the filling is used to build the tooth back up to its original size and shape.

2. Crowns
A tooth may require a crown if it has a large filling, several fillings, a break, or a fracture. A porcelain crown is made to look just like a natural tooth and covers from the gum line to the cusp. It requires more extensive preparation, but once in place, can protect your tooth for many years.

3. Dental implants and dental bridges
If a tooth is lost or needs to be extracted it will need to be completely restored. Dental bridges and dental implants are two common options. They can not only restore the look of your smile, but enable you to eat comfortably and easily.

Call us to learn more about restorative dentistry and to schedule your appointment.

When are Inlays and Onlays Used?

Inlays and onlays are an alternative option to fillings for patients who require restorative dental care. When a tooth is damaged or has suffered deep decay, and a space has formed that needs to be filled, dentists can use certain material to fill it. Dentists and their patients can work together to decide if a direct or indirect filling (inlay or onlay) should be used.

The difference between an inlay and an onlay is that an inlay is placed in the middle of a tooth, whereas an onlay goes on the surface of a tooth, otherwise known as the cusp or crown. They are referred to as indirect fillings because they are made in a lab using an impression of the tooth, and applied after they are sent back to our Orange County cosmetic dentist.

Indirect fillings offer several benefits over direct fillings.

• Superior fit
• Preservation of more of the tooth
• Easier to clean
• Non-staining
• Better blockage of decay
• Stability
• No reshaping required
• Protect weak areas
• Do not shrink

Our expert in onlays in Orange County can better inform you of the best situations for indirect fillings. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and restore the strength of your smile.

What are Same Day Inlays and Onlays?

Sometimes teeth become damaged or suffer from decay, leaving them weak and unable to function properly. Fortunately, a restoration can be used to make them stronger protect them from further harm. These restorations include inlays and onlays. It used to take two or more appointments to apply these, but now, our Agoura Hills dentist is able to place them in just one visit.

Inlays are used to fill a cavity on the inside of the tooth, which onlays are used for the outside, or the crown. CAD/CAM technology makes it significantly easier to create perfect, custom restorations in a short period of time. Your dentist will take 3D images of the tooth in question, which will then be sent to a CEREC milling machine. This machine can use 3D printing technology and the desired material to create your inlay or onlay.

This is great news for patients who are short on time. You no longer have to schedule several appointments a week or so apart, and request time off work or plan them around your busy schedule. You are free to wait in our office while the machine is hard at work. Check to see if your dentist offers same day inlays and onlays.