Traditionally, gold has been the material choice for inlays and onlays,   In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How are inlays and onlays applied?
Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure.  During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay.  To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist and sent to the lab for fabrication.  Dr. Taylor will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed, Dr. Taylor will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly.  If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations for inlays and onlays
Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50%.  as an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%.  As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years.  In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.
 

Tooth Colored Fillings & Restorations

Advantages of tooth-colored Direct Composites:

1. Aethetics - the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth; is particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth.

2. Bonding to tooth structure - composite fillings actually chemically bond to tooth structure,providing further support to the tooth

3. Versatility in uses - in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth.

4. Tooth-sparing preparation - sometimes less tooth structure needs to be removed compared with amalgams when removing decay and preparing for the filling.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Onlay/Inlay Restorations:
There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations.  Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth.  Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost.  The tooth remains intact and stronger.  

Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay.  The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!

Many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Inlays and onlays create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth.  These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

The result is a beautiful smile!

Replacing Silver Fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration:
You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations (composite resin, inlays, and onlays).  Inlays and onlays require two appointments.

    Your First Appointment:
        1.  The old filling is removed with any additional decay.
        2.  An impression  and a model is made of your teeth and sent to the lab.
        3.  A temporary onlay is placed on the tooth.
    
    Your Second Appointment:
        1.  The temporary onlay is removed.
        2.  A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new onlay.
        3.  Bonding cement is placed on the tooth.
        4.  A high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
        5.  The tooth is then polished.

Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!

Crowns

Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person's teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain "fused to gold" crowns to make the smile appear "as new". This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 20 to 30 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

How long does it take to fit a dental crown?

Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown of either plastic or metal.

On the subsequent visit we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits of Dental Crowns

• Replaces missing teeth

• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth

• Looks completely natural

• Fixes "smile" and functional chewing problems

What are the capabilities of crowns?

Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain, or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause "appearance" problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Dental Bridges
A bridge - a device used to replace missing teeth - attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth.  Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.  Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health.  Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking.  With missing teeth, it's difficult to do these things.  Missing teeth can and should be replaced.  Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

What exactly is a bridge or fixed partial denture?

A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why do I need a bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders. Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a bridge attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Taylor will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth.  Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What materials are used?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.