Dental inlays are an effective treatment option for damaged teeth. They can be used to restore teeth with excessive decay or damage as they are larger than a dental filling, but smaller than a crown. They can be made up from a variety of materials, including porcelain and composite resin. Let’s look at tips for caring for dental inlays.
Caring for Dental Inlays
You should care for your dental inlays just as you would your natural teeth. This includes brushing at least twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should use toothpaste with fluoride to combat tooth decay. In addition to brushing, you should floss at least once a day. Flossing is important as it can effectively get in those hard-to-reach places between your teeth. If you only floss once a day, floss at night so you can remove the harmful debris before you go to bed. It’s easy for harmful bacteria to erode your teeth at night as your mouth is less lubricated and leftover debris can exacerbate the issue.
In addition to brushing and flossing, you should also visit the dentist at least every six months. You may need to visit more often if you have a history of tooth decay or other harmful dental issues. Talk with your dentist about how often you should visit the dentist. After a dental inlay, it’s helpful to regularly visit the dentist as they can track your treatment progress to ensure your oral health is in good shape.
Benefits of Dental Inlays
Dental inlays, also referred to as indirect fillings, are used to restore the chewing surface of your tooth. The chewing surface of your teeth can be damaged for a number of reasons, including a fractured filling, large filling, tooth decay, or a break or fracture. Inlays are recommended if your tooth is fractured or corroded but has not lost its structure so much that you need a dental crown. The treatment is effective for moderate dental issues. Inlays are inserted in the middle of your tooth and extend from the front to back. Consider the following benefits of the treatment option.
Non-Invasive:
Inlays and onlays in La Mesa are non-invasive restoration options that can improve your oral health. Unlike alternative treatments, dental inlays are more of a conservative approach that doesn’t involve removing your natural tooth.
Preserves Your Natural Tooth:
Unlike other restoration treatment options, dental inlays can preserve and maintain your natural tooth. This is highly beneficial as most tooth replacement options require follow-up treatments and replacement. These can prove expensive and time consuming. Dental onlays also preserve as much of your natural enamel as possible. This ends up important to the structural integrity of your tooth.
Natural Look:
Dental inlays can be shade-matched to the color of your original teeth. They are also meant to function and look just like your natural tooth. The color of your dental inlay depends on the type of material used so talk with your dentist in La Mesa about your aesthetic concerns. They can help determine which option is best for you to preserve the look of your natural smile.
Durability and Strength:
Dental inlays are strong and stable, which makes them a long-lasting restoration option. They are not only a durable treatment, but they also help protect weak areas on your teeth to preserve the overall strength of your natural tooth. This is important for your oral health as weak teeth can lead to dental damage, infection, or worse.
Simple Procedure:
The treatment can often be completed in just one visit. This is beneficial for those with a busy schedule as you can be in and out of the office in roughly an hour. Dental inlays are also beneficial for those who have dental anxiety as it is an effective and long-lasting restorative treatment option.