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Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns

What’s the Difference?

Inlays are fillings for breaks and pits that are situated close to the center of the surface of your tooth. Onlays are fillings that can repair areas near the edge and cusps of your teeth. Both inlays and onlays are perfect solutions for damage that may be too big for a normal filling, but are too small to warrant a whole crown.

Now, a crown is an artificial tooth surface that encompasses the entire tooth. These are best for protecting your teeth against further damage, or to protect them while healing from recent surgical treatments.

Crowns vs Composite Restorations

Which treatment is best for your situation will depend entirely on your condition.

Patients with minor tooth decay and pits on the chewing surface may benefit more from a composite restoration, like a tooth-colored filling or inlay/onlay. As stated above, a crown is typically meant to cover the entire top surface of the tooth, and is usually reserved for patients who have extensive tooth decay damage or had a recent root canal.

Dr. Munro will be the one to determine which treatment fits your situation, during a one-on-one consultation with him at our Pembroke, ON office.

The Advantages of Metal-Free Crowns

In the past, metal or gold crowns were a popular solution that, while effective, often compromised the look of patients’ smiles. Thanks to advancements in technology and dental practices, our Pembroke dentist offers metal-free crowns that are just as strong as their metal counterparts and blend in beautifully with the smile.

Metal-free crowns are advantageous for many patients. They not only look and feel natural, thanks to the ceramic, but are also more lightweight. Without metal, there are no dark lines where the gums and teeth meet, and there is little to no risk of enamel being removed in order to fit the dental device.