Dr. Anthony Mobasser is a renowned cosmetic dentist serving the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas since 1980. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry services including lumineers, porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns, extreme makeover, dental makeover, reconstructive dentistry and more.
Dental inlays and onlays are indirect fillings used to recreate the tooth anatomy and function after the decay is removed from the tooth. They can be fabricated with porcelain, composite resin, or even gold. The purpose of inlays and onlays is to strengthen teeth or replace old or damaged fillings. One of the chief benefits of porcelain inlays and onlays is that they provide a highly aesthetic, natural look, especially when compared to metal fillings. Another advantage is that they are extremely durable, capable of lasting decades.
Porcelain Inlays
Inlays are placed on damaged or decayed teeth, on the indented top surfaces. It takes two visits to the dentist for proper inlay placement. During the first visit, the dentist takes detailed impressions of the affected tooth after removal of decay and places a temporary inlay on the tooth itself. The impression is then sent to a lab, where the inlay is fabricated to the tooth’s exact measurements.
At the second visit, the temporary inlay is replaced with the permanent porcelain inlay. Patients can return to work immediately after the procedure.
Porcelain inlays, once in place, are bonded securely to the tooth and can greatly reduce the risk of bacteria forming on the tooth, causing cavities.
Porcelain Onlays
Unlike inlays, porcelain onlays are placed on the cusps of the tooth. Onlays are placed in a manner very similar to inlays, requiring two visits to the dentist’s office. They are also considered an indirect restoration since they are handcrafted in the dental laboratory. At the first visit, impressions are made of the teeth, which are then sent to a lab for fabrication, and a temporary onlay is placed on the tooth. During the second visit, the temporary onlay is replaced with the permanent one, using high-strength dental ceramics. The experience of the master ceramicist in fabricating the natural-looking inlays and onlays is as important as the cosmetic dentist who prepared them. Therefore, the communication between the cosmetic dentist and the master ceramist to create the masterpiece is of vital importance.
The Advantages of Inlays and Onlays
The porcelain-colored material used to fabricate both porcelain onlays and inlays make them ideal for creating a natural, aesthetically pleasing smile and bite. They also help patients avoid more invasive dental procedures in the future, namely dental crowns and bridges or implants. Other advantages of porcelain inlays and onlays, if done properly, are:
In the hands of an expert cosmetic dentist, porcelain onlays can be combined with porcelain veneers to conserve the patient’s tooth structure and improve the bite. Porcelain inlays and onlays fit like a puzzle piece onto the tooth, bringing health, beauty, function, and durability to the damaged teeth.
Call top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser today at 310.550.0383 or email him at Anthony@celebritydentist.com to schedule an appointment and learn more about zirconium bridges and crowns. For more information visit Dr. Mobasser’s web site: www.celebritydentist.com.
About Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser
Dr. Mobasser offers state-of-the-art cosmetic treatment to his patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and around the world. He is one of the pioneers of modern cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry and is one of the most experienced and qualified dentists in the world. Dr. Mobasser offers full-mouth reconstruction, cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, sedation dentistry, porcelain crowns and bridges, implants, TMJ treatment, smile makeover, and more. To complement his dental training, he also holds degrees in mathematics and engineering. Please visit his website at www.celebritydentist.com.
