What’s the Difference Between an Inlay, Onlay, and Dental Crown?
When you notice a broken tooth, it’s natural to become anxious and upset. Luckily, our Louisville cosmetic dentists at Exceptional Dentistry help you find cost-effective solutions to restore your damaged tooth. Today on the blog, we share everything you need to know about dental onlays, inlays, and dental crowns so that you are more confident in understanding which treatment is most suitable for your condition.
Is a dental crown, inlay, or onlay better?
Depending on the level of damage to your tooth, the dentist may recommend a dental crown, inlay, or onlay. Dental crowns are often required when a substantial amount of tooth is damaged or broken. The crown is designed to fit over the tooth’s entire exterior. In cases of moderate damage, the dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay, which are porcelain restorations that preserve more of the tooth’s natural structure.
When is an inlay or onlay necessary?
An inlay is used to repair areas of damage in the hallows of a tooth and between the cusps. In contrast, an onlay repairs the tooth’s cusps and more. Our cosmetic dentists explain that damage can include cracks, chipping, chewing surface loss due to wear and tear, and teeth grinding.
When is a dental crown necessary?
Dental crowns can repair your beautiful smile when a tooth suffers significant damage or decay. Crowns may be necessary when severe tooth damage occurs or in conjunction with proper dental treatments such as root canal therapy. Additionally, chipped teeth that reach the sensitive pulp area may require a dental crown, depending on how much natural tooth enamel remains. Fortunately, our cosmetic dentists in Jeffersonville can quickly restore your bite function and physical appearance to its peak condition with dental crowns and other restorative treatments.
Is there a benefit to one treatment over another?
These porcelain restorations enhance your smile and restore functionality. Inlays or onlays, however, have a few benefits over dental crowns when you compare the two treatments, according to our cosmetic dentists in Louisville. Inlays and onlays, for example, let patients retain their natural tooth structure as much as possible, which is an essential goal in dentistry. Furthermore, an inlay or onlay treatment is less intrusive than a dental crown and takes less time. However, scheduling a consultation is the best method to determine which restoration technique is appropriate for you.
Cosmetic Dentists in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Knowing the best procedures for treating a chipped tooth can help you make the right decision for your oral health. Inlays, onlays, and dental crowns are among the most common options to restore your smile that our Louisville cosmetic dentists recommend for chipped teeth, depending on the damage amount. If you have a chipped tooth and need immediate treatment, we encourage you to call Exceptional Dentistry at (502) 423-7868 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
Increase Confidence
Embarrassment and difficult social circumstances can result from a less-than-perfect smile. Whether you have missing, discolored, or damaged teeth, you may want to cover your mouth when you smile, speak, or eat. In many cases, a tight-lipped smile is the sole acceptable expression. Some of our Shepherdsville smile makeover patients claim that restored self-confidence and a desire to participate in more social situations are the most significant advantages of a smile makeover. Furthermore, whether they meet a potential mate or attend a job interview, they are more at ease when speaking and smiling.
Clear Speech
Your teeth act as both a tool for digestion and a vital component of speaking; therefore, they perform a dual purpose. Regrettably, a significant lisp or involuntary whistling can result from broken or missing teeth at the front of your mouth. With cosmetic procedures like porcelain veneers, our smile makeover dentists can make minor alterations to close gaps between your teeth and cover surface imperfections. After the veneer application, you should experience a quality improvement when you speak.
Career Boost
Recent studies show that a straight smile may boost your likelihood of success in the workplace. For example, according to a University of California study, attractive people earn about 12% more per year than less attractive people. But, of course, a big part of your entire appeal and attractiveness is your smile. Furthermore, Oral-B performed studies that found that simply having white teeth boosts an individual’s beauty by an incredible 20%. So, addressing your concerns with a smile makeover at our Jeffersonville area dental office may increase your career success.
Integrated Treatment Strategy
Our Louisville dentists, specializing in smile makeovers, will design a personalized treatment plan that considers your smile objectives and makes the most of your time and money. For instance, if you want a whiter smile but also want to hide dental problems on your front teeth, you should whiten your teeth first. Then, the veneers can match the brighter color of your natural teeth, giving you a stunning, uniform smile.
Improved Function and Overall Health
A smile makeover from our smile makeover dentists in Shepherdsville may substantially enhance your look by repairing or reshaping your smile. Still, it also improves your oral health and general wellness. Using a dental implant, for instance, may restore your bite and make it simpler to consume a balanced diet. Additionally, you preserve your jawbone, reduce hiding places for harmful bacteria, and lower your risk of advanced health conditions.
Smile Makeover in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky
It doesn’t matter why you feel self-conscious about your smile. Unfortunately, even a slight imperfection can be unattractive and cause embarrassment. Fortunately, a smile makeover could transform your teeth into the radiant smile you’ve always wanted. Our welcoming smile makeover dentists offer multiple functional and restorative cosmetic dental procedures. Call Exceptional Dentistry at (502) 423-7868 or book an appointment online if you are dissatisfied with your smile and want to learn more about how a smile makeover might benefit you.
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