Your teeth can develop cavities as a result of lingering bacteria, sugar, and food particles that aren’t cleared away daily or seen by a dentist during regular dental checkups. If your tooth enamel develops tooth decay, our dentist may be able to repair the tooth and prevent more extensive issues by filling the cavity. Cavities on the molars and premolars may require the placement of a dental inlay or onlay.
If your premolars and molars have deep contours and pits on their biting surfaces that are difficult to clean, they can easily develop tooth decay that results in large cavities. Traditional dental fillings may not be enough to repair the teeth–in which case, Dr. Mike Henrickson may place a special type of dental filling known as a dental inlay or onlay.
Dental inlays are contained on the cusp of the tooth, while dental onlays cover the tooth cusps and can extend to the sides of the tooth to restore any lost tooth enamel there. Dental inlays and onlays are typically created in a dental lab using high-quality porcelain or gold material.
If you are receiving a dental inlay or onlay, our dental team will submit an impression of the affected tooth to the dental lab so that your filling can be custom created. Then, we can protect the tooth in the meantime with a temporary resin material. Your second appointment will involve removing the temporary filling and cementing the dental inlay or onlay to the tooth.
For more information about the benefits of dental inlays and onlays in Maplewood, Minnesota, and to speak with Dr. Mike Henrickson about your options for cavity treatment, please contact Henrickson Dental at 651-777-8900 today.
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