Inlays, Onlays, Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

A crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be effectively restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and colour of your existing teeth, giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.


Although the outside of each tooth is made of strong and hard enamel, teeth can be chipped, broken or weakened due to:

  • Trauma, such as a fall or a break
  • Tooth decay
  • Large fillings
  • Root canal treatment
  • Age related wear and tear

A crown (or a cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A porcelain crown protects and strengthens the tooth structure than cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth coloured) crowns are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size and colour of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.

Reasons for Crowns

  • Broken or fractured teeth
  • Cosmetic enhancement
  • Decayed and broken down teeth
  • Fractured and leaking fillings
  • Large fillings
  • Root canal treatment

Bridges

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of an artificial tooth anchored to the adjacent natural teeth. If a tooth is lost through an accident, or is too badly decayed to save with a crown, or implants are not an option for you, a bridge may be the next treatment of choice.

Materials

Crowns and bridges are often made of porcelain and metal alloy. Porcelain is strong and can be made to match the colour of the natural teeth. It is resistant to staining and can be cleaned if it becomes stained.

Metal alloy is used for its strength, hardness and durability. It is especially useful for molars, which must withstand the forces of grinding and crushing. Metal alloy and porcelain are well tolerated by the gum and the cheek.

You will require at least two appointments for the preparation and fitting of a crown or a bridge. Sometimes a tooth will need a root filling , and perhaps a post or a foundation, before crown or bridge treatment.

Inlays and Onlays

These restorations are custom made restorations made of composite material, gold or tooth coloured porcelain. They are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. Inlays and onlays are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation process. Inlays and onlays are made by our dental laboratory and permanently cemented in by Dr Peddey. They are designed to be extremely strong to withstand the grinding pressures of these teeth.

Inlays can be utilised to conservatively repair moderately damaged teeth that have defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings.

Onlays are made of the same materials as inlays. An onlay is a more extensive repair that covers the tooth cusps. These restorations are much stronger than any other type of restorative material and they actually increase the strength of the tooth.

As with most dental restorations, inlays and onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful, long-lasting smile.

Reasons for Inlay and Onlay Restorations

  • Broken or fractured teeth
  • Cosmetic enhancement
  • Decayed teeth
  • Broken fillings
  • Large, leaking fillings

Advantages of Inlays and Onlays

  • Strength is one of the major advantages of inlays and onlays. Restorations of amalgam and composite can eventually weaken a tooth, but because inlays and onlays are bonded directly into the tooth, they can increase the overall strength of the tooth.
  • Porcelain, ceramics, and composite material can be made in colours to match natural teeth
  • They are durable and may last 10 years or more, unless they get decay under them
  • In some cases, they are a good alternative to the more complex crown

    • Disadvantages of Inlays and Onlays

    • Inlays and onlays can be comparitively costly due the high-quality materials used in their manufacture and the precision required in their fitting
    • They require removal of some tooth material