Dental Fillings, Inlays & Onlays in Scottsdale, AZ
If your teeth are sensitive or causing you discomfort or pain, those symptoms could indicate a fundamental problem with your oral health. Bacteria can accumulate, weaken your tooth enamel, and lead to tooth decay before cavities are obvious or the pain is persistent. To prevent further decay and damage to the tooth, Dr. Jeffrey D. Clark at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence can remove the decay, clean the tooth and correct it with a tooth-colored filling, inlay, or onlay that not only beautifies your smile but restores the health and function of your tooth.
Should You Choose a Filling or an Inlay/Onlay?
Your dentist will usually recommend the best option for your unique situation. Fillings are an ideal option when there is minimal decay, and the enamel can be maintained to avoid further damage. If the decay is more extensive, then the added protection of a porcelain inlay or onlay may be necessary. Dr. Clark will usually recommend an inlay or onlay when a filling does not provide enough protection, but the decay is not severe enough to warrant a dental crown. Fillings are shaped by hand, but inlays and onlays are manufactured to precision using sophisticated CEREC technologies, which we have available on-site at our North Scottsdale office.
Understanding Tooth-Colored Fillings
Dental fillings, in general, can be made from a number of different dental materials. Tooth-colored fillings, in particular, are made from a composite resin. This resin can be color-matched to your natural tooth color, and that distinguishes it from the older style amalgam fillings that appear metallic and stand out in visible areas. With a tooth-colored filling, no one will even know you have it.
Tooth-colored fillings do not take long and can be completed in just one visit to our Scottsdale office. Prior to the filling, Dr. Clark will need to remove the decay and clean the tooth. Depending on the scope of this task, it may be necessary to give you a local anesthetic first. Once cleaned, an acidic gel is applied to the tooth to roughen it and create the surface area needed for the resin to bond. With that prep complete, the gel will be removed, the tooth dried, and the resin placed and shaped as needed. Dr. Clark will then use a dental light to cure the resin and trigger the bonding process. Once the resin is fully cured, Dr. Clark will trim, shape and polish the filling until your tooth looks natural and attractive.
Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Effective?
Yes! Tooth-colored dental fillings provide patients with a number of benefits, including:
- Aesthetics. These fillings blend in with your natural teeth and look great. There is never a metallic appearance, nor dark areas near the gumline or any other aesthetic imperfections.
- Safe materials. The composite resin used is a safe dental material. It is biocompatible and does not contain mercury or any other substances that could undermine your health.
- No sensitivity. The composite material used in your filling will not respond to cold or hot foods and drinks. This is not the case with traditional metal fillings, which are easily triggered.
- Durable protection. Your filling will seal your teeth from food particles and bacteria and thus help avoid additional decay. These fillings also last a long time, especially with regular dental care.
How Do Inlays and Onlays Work?
Inlays and onlays are made from dental porcelain, which can be color-matched to the natural tooth and provide a covering for the crown of a tooth. This covering provides more protection than a filling but less than a dental crown, which covers the entire tooth structure. The difference between an inlay and an onlay is that an inlay fills the area between the cusps, and an onlay extends over one or more cusps. Both inlays and onlays restore and reinforce a damaged tooth while also creating a natural appearance.
Both inlays and onlays can be placed in a single visit at our Scottsdale office. If you have an existing filling being replaced, Dr. Clark will first need to remove it. If you have a tooth being restored, Dr. Clark will need to remove the decay, clean the tooth, and prepare it for the inlay or onlay. In either case, once the tooth is prepped, Dr. Clark will use the latest CEREC technology to scan your tooth. A milling machine then creates your inlay or onlay while you wait. Once that process is complete, Dr. Clark will perform a temporary placement, make adjustments, and then use a ceramic oven to achieve the final form. Finally, Dr. Clark will place the restoration, bond it to the tooth using a strong dental cement, and polish the inlay or onlay until it is smooth and looks natural.
Stop Cavities With Fillings, Inlays and Onlays
Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, has served Scottsdale and the neighboring communities for more than 20 years. Dr. Clark has helped many patients at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence reverse and fix early tooth decay before it becomes a more serious issue. Fillings, inlays, and onlays are all effective ways to stop cavities and restore the health, function, and appearance of a tooth. If you’re dealing with a cavity, get it examined by Dr. Clark as soon as possible by calling our office at 480 585 1853.
