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Dental Fillings, Inlays & Onlays
The dentists at Heritage Dental Centre can fix chipped, fractured, decayed or otherwise damaged teeth with fillings, inlays and onlays.
What Are Fillings, Inlays & Onlays?
Fillings, inlays, and onlays are tooth restorations our dentists use to treat different levels of decay and damage, often caused by cavities.
These restorations can be made from materials such as silver, amalgam (a mix of tin, silver, and mercury), ceramic using CEREC technology, or composite resin. Typically, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed with a dental drill before the appropriate restoration is placed.
By restoring the affected area, fillings, inlays, and onlays can help prevent further decay and strengthen the tooth’s structure, preventing it from needing to be extracted.
Fillings
Dental fillings are the most common type of dental restorations that are performed. During the filling appointment the dentist will first administer local anethestic to numb the area requiring treatment.
Once this has taken effect, they will clean out the decay, and then place the filling material to recreate the shape and form of the natural tooth. This material can be either amalgam (silver), composite (white tooth coloured), or ceramic using CEREC technology.
Inlays
A dental inlay is a custom fit restoration that is placed when a tooth is too damaged or decayed to support a filling but not damaged enough to require a crown.
Most inlays are made out of either gold or ceramic using CEREC technology. An inlay is placed on the top chewing surface of the tooth, between the cusps (the four little points of the tooth).
Onlays
A dental onlay is placed under the same circumstances as an inlay, and is made out of the same material.
The only difference between them is the areas of the tooth that they cover. An onlay fixes and extends over the entire chewing surface of the tooth and to one or more of the cusps. Onlays are commonly used in cases where a dental crown might be considered an excessive treatment option.
New Patients Welcome
Looking for a dentist in Mission? Heritage Dental Centre is accepting new patients and can provide personalized dental care for you and your family. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy, confident smile.