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Have you heard about dental fillings or crowns to fix cavities or extensive decay? You might express surprise when your dentist suggests inlays and Onlays as alternatives for restoring decayed or damaged teeth.

If dental fillings help fix minor cavities and crowns are helpful; if you have deeper decay or damage that needs covering up, you may come across situations when a dental filling isn’t appropriate for the restoration, and a dental crown is too excessive or intrusive. In such cases, the dentist suggests dental inlays and Onlays because these restorations are appropriate to fix minor or substantial tooth damage. Dental inlays and Onlays are better than dental fillings but not as intrusive as crowns that require reshaping the tooth structure before getting it fixed.

Differences between Dental Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays help fill cavities and holes in a tooth between the cusps. However, besides filling cavities, an Onlay also works on a more significant site by covering the cusps. Onlays are similar to dental crowns but function without covering the entire tooth surface. Similar materials help make these restorations serve similar purposes while covering different areas of the tooth to provide adequate protection when tooth decay occurs.

In Dentistry, What Are Inlays and Onlays?

If you have a damaged tooth due to decay, inlays are fitted into the tooth surface after molding them in a dental laboratory. Fabricating inlays requires impressions of the affected areas of your tooth for a dental lab. Inlays fit appropriately into the hole in your tooth without affecting the cusps. The dentist near you takes impressions of the tooth to match the color of the best possible with your remaining teeth. Porcelain or composite material helps make inlays more durable than conventional fillings.

The material used for making inlays makes the restoration more expensive and comes with additional durability. Dentists consider inlays when fillings are inappropriate to strengthen the surrounding tooth, and the hole in your tooth requires more robust materials to fortify it.

If your tooth has damaged cusps along with the biting surface, you find it beneficial when the dentist in 91710 suggests an Onlay. Dentists recommend Onlays when you have extensive cavities that are too large to fill with standard filling materials like a silver amalgam of the tooth is prone to cracking due to weakness. Onlays help shore up the tooth’s strength besides protecting the decaying area. Unlike inlays, the area covered by Onlays includes the cusps and the spaces between them.

Preparing for Dental Inlays and Onlays

The preparation for dental inlays and Onlays is similar to receiving a filling. The dentist drills out the decay after giving you local anesthesia and temporary restorations over the tooth for protection as impressions of the tooth are forwarded to the dental lab for fabrication. You must revisit the dentist for placement of the restoration after the dental laboratory returns it.

When receiving dental Onlays, a significant portion of your tooth structure is preserved, unlike when getting dental crowns that require considerable tooth structure removal. Onlays are also made from porcelain or composite resin called partial crowns because they function similarly without covering the entire tooth.

The Lifespan of Inlays and Onlays

Durability is the most significant feature of inlays and Onlays because you can expect them to last for five years to three decades. However, kindly do not assume the dentist restoring your teeth will provide any guarantees regarding their durability. Tooth restorations depend on your care if you intend to have them for their lifespan.

If improperly cared for, inlays and Onlays sustain damage and fail earlier than expected. In addition, your dental hygiene practices considerably affect the lifespan of inlays and Onlays after you have them on your teeth. Therefore, you must maintain excellent dental hygiene by brushing your teeth twice, flossing them once daily, and adhering to your dentist’s recommendations stringently. Incorporating six monthly visits to your dentist to verify the stability and health of the restorations is also necessary to ensure they stay firmly in place.

You can also adopt measures to reduce the wear and tear of these restorations by considering night guards if bruxism affects you when sleeping or when eating chewy and complex foods that can damage these restorations and affect their longevity. While dentists do not provide any firm numbers on their longevity, you can expect them to stay longer depending on your care and overall oral health.

Get Inlays and Onlays Near You

Ramona Dentistry of Chino suggests inlays and Onlays if fillings for a cavity are insufficient or too extensive for a damaged tooth. If you confront such issues, you find it beneficial to get Inlays and Onlays in Chino from our practice by arranging a meeting with us to decide what best suits your needs.

What is a Mouthguard?

Mouthguards are customized and flexible mouth protectors designed to be worn over teeth. It helps people participating in recreational and athletic activities from damage and potential trauma to the mouth. They serve as a barrier between cheeks and braces or teeth, between tongue and lips. Speak to our dentist or orthodontist near you about choosing the mouthguard that offers the ultimate protection for your needs.

How Do I Wear a Mouthguard?

Put the mouth protector in hot water (not boiling) to make it soft. Now, insert it into the mouth and use your fingers to press it onto the front and molar teeth. Then, bite down for 20 seconds to fit the mouthguard properly.

Can I Drink Water with the Mouthguard?

Yes, you can drink water while wearing the mouthguard. But it is important to brush and floss your teeth before wearing them. It will help to eradicate the bacteria and leftover food bits accumulated between the teeth, reducing mouthguard staining and decay.

Can I Soak my Mouthguard in Listerine?

No, avoid immersing your guard in the Listerine mouthwash because it can result in damage.

Should I Clean My Mouthguard Daily?

Yes. Like your oral hygiene routine, it is vital to follow a good mouthguard cleaning routine. So, cleaning every night and morning stops the transfer of mouth bacteria onto the guard.

Use toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush to clean your guard with cool water. Avoid scrubbing the guard harshly. It’s because it can form timely scratches where bacteria could thrive.

How Long Does the Mouthguard Last?

When you maintain or store the mouthguard properly, it stays for 3 – 5 years. A good rule of thumb is to replace your custom device every year.

Do Mouthguards Straighten Teeth?

A tailored mouthguard does not offer straight teeth. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of mouth trauma, jaw clenching, tooth grinding, etc.

Can I Talk with the Mouthguard in?

Yes. A proper fit and slim mouthguard let you communicate with others effectively while you are wearing it.

Do Mouthguards Stop Snoring?

Yes. These mouth protectors help patients prevent teeth clenching and grinding at night. They are also effective in treating snoring.

How Often Should I Replace My Sports Mouthguard?

It is crucial for teens or kid athletes to replace the guard every six months or at the end of the sports season. It’s because their mouths are in the growing stage. The use of a mouthguard prevents injuries.

Should You Wear the Mouthguard Every Night?

Yes. If you have severe bruxism, our dentist in 91710 suggests wearing the guard every night. Wearing it every night prevents damage to the teeth.

Does a Mouthguard Help with TMJ Symptoms?

Mouthguards are an essential part of TMJ treatment. They minimize or eradicate the condition that causes TMJ pain. A daytime mouthguard works by addressing teeth clenching and biting behavior that makes TMJ symptoms worse. However, if the TMJ signs are severe, it is vital to wear the guard both night and day.

Who Might Need a Mouthguard?

Adults and kids require a guard that:

• Take part in contact sports such as soccer, football, hockey, and lacrosse.
• Clenches or grinds teeth.
• Plays non-contact sports or physical activities with a high-fall risk such as biking or ice skating.

How Do You Sleep with the Mouthguard?

The dental professional advises wearing a mouthguard during sleep if you grind teeth or have OSA. Check out how to sleep with your mouth protector:

a) Identify the Reason for Discomfort

Is your guard causing a gag reflex? Does it feel too large or make your whole mouth shift? Get in touch with a dentist if any of these problems causes discomfort.

b) Do Preparation

Wear a lower and upper guard if you are a light sleeper. They are smaller and help you adapt to the bulky mouthguard.

c) Use it Before Going to the Bed

It will take some time to adapt to the new guard. You can begin using the mouth protector before sleeping.

Can Mouthguards Make Your Gums Recede?

Mouthguards protect the gums. But, when your device does not have a proper fit, damaged or dirty, it can damage the gums.

Get Mouthguards Near You

Are you searching for mouthguards in Chino, CA? Give us a call or make an appointment with our dentist in Chino at Ramona Dentistry of Chino today!