Fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns are dental devices which are applied on the teeth to help restore the structure and functionality. The patient can consult the dentist and get the most suitable dental treatment.
Let us try to understand each one of these in more detail and the differences between them.
Dental filling
Usually, a cavity or a decayed tooth is cleansed off the rotten and infected matter first and then the space is filled with a dental filling. This filling is absorbable and safe.
Dental fillings are of two major types:
- direct filling
- indirect filling
As the name suggests, in direct filling, the material to be used as a filling is directly filled into the cavity of the teeth while in the indirect filling, the material has to be prepared in a lab before filling.
For the majority of the time, the filling could be of two types, metallic amalgam made of mercury and metal like silver or copper and a composite resin filling which is easily affordable. Ceramics and glass ionomers are some other options available.
Ceramic fillings are made of durable porcelain material and are better at resisting stains than resin filling. This filling material can last for more than a decade and is costly. Glass ionomer filling is usually advised for children and in treatments that require filling below the gumline. This filling material is more prone to fracture and wear and tear and hence weaker than composite resin or ceramic filling material.
An indirect filling is classified into two types: inlays and onlays. These are also called partial crowns. Inlays are placed in the central part of the tooth and provide strength and support to it. Dental onlays are placed on the outer surface of the tooth to provide support. These fillings are usually used to restore damaged or broken teeth.
Dental inlays
A dental inlay is placed in the central area of the tooth to provides structure and strength. This procedure is usually performed on teeth that have decayed and need restoration. Inlays are considered when a cavity in the tooth is too large and will not be filled by a filling. They prevent further decay and damage to the tooth.
The procedure for dental inlays begins with the cleaning of the area near the affected tooth and the tooth is cleansed as well. The tooth is then scanned to create an accurate picture and to understand the problem in granular detail. This also helps in creating a filling that fits accurately into the tooth. The insert or filling material is prepared in the lab according to this observation. Once the filling is ready, the tooth is administered with local anaesthesia. The dentist will then gently insert the filling inside the central part of the tooth. Inlays which are made of porcelain or ceramic material are preferable as they have high durability.
Inlays can be very strengthening for the tooth and can increase the tooth’s strength by 50 percent. Also, there is no pain involved in the procedure of inlay insertion as the patient will be under the effect of local anaesthesia.
Dental onlays
An onlay fits on the inside and outside of the tooth, providing it structure. It is pre-moulded on the outer side of the tooth. It is bonded to the tooth using dental cement. Onlays are available in different types based on the material used. Porcelain onlays, ceramic onlays, and composite resin onlays are the most preferable as they are very durable. Also, these materials can blend in with the natural colour of teeth. It is virtually impossible to tell them apart from other natural teeth in the mouth.
However, metallic onlays are usually made of gold or silver, these metals shine bright and do not blend in with the natural teeth at all. Such onlays are usually preferred by patients who have a liking for jewellery and do not mind if the crown is visible.
The procedure for dental onlays begins with dental X-rays and taking impressions of the affected tooth. According to this impression, the onlay is created with the same shape and size. The patient is called again in a separate appointment for the placement of onlays. The patient will be administered local anaesthesia to avoid any pain during the procedure.
The dentist first removes the decaying and infected matter from the teeth using specialized dental tools. The dental onlay is then fitted in the tooth with the help of dental cement. The onlay is polished and sealed to prevent the entry of bacteria and other microbes.
Just like inlays, onlays are also used for filling large cavities in the tooth. They are also ideal for filling chips, cracks, and any minor fractures in teeth. Sometimes an onlay is also used as an alternative to teeth whitening procedures since these enhance the appearance to a great extent.
Dental crowns
While dental inlays or onlays are dental fillings, dental crowns are cap-like coverings for teeth. These can reshape the teeth as well as protect them from outside damage caused due to food particles that are too hard or sharp. They are usually available in different types like porcelain, ceramic, resin, and metallic crowns are also available.
Dental crowns are mainly used to cover a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, or cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment. They are also used as a covering in various dental procedures such as dental implants and bridges.
The procedure for dental crowns begins with a proper examination of the tooth using an X-ray and various digital imaging devices. Then the tooth may be filed from the outside for proper fitting of the dental crown. If the outer structure of the crown is uneven, it may be filled with building material to fill up the gaps. After reshaping, an impression is made of the tooth, according to which the crown will be prepared. The dental crown takes around 2 to three weeks for preparation, during which the patient is provided with a temporary crown. Once the permanent crown is prepared, it is fitted onto the teeth permanently with the help of dental cement.