When Will a Dentist Recommend an Inlay?

Your back molars are subjected to stress daily. Whether you tend to grind them at night or you just eat a lot of crunchy foods, they typically get the brunt of the pressure. We’ll look at how inlays work to strengthen and repair these critical components of the mouth and when a dentist might recommend them.

What Is a Dental Inlay?

An inlay is a type of pre-molded that fits into your tooth rather than the outside edges. It can be thought of as something between a filling and a crown, an in-between measure that can keep a tooth from getting worse and stave off more invasive procedures in the future (e.g., root canals, extractions, etc.). If you need an inlay, it’s important to take action sooner rather than later. The more you wait, the more likely you’ll need a more expensive treatment later.

When Will a Dentist Recommend an Inlay in Mountain View?

A dentist will typically recommend aninlay in Mountain View, CA, in the following scenarios:

• Moderate damage: If the damage is too severe for a regular filling but a crown would be overkill, an inlay is a good middle ground for a dentist to repair the tooth.
• Intact cusp: An inlay goes in between the pointed tips for the tooth, so if you have intact cusps, there’s no need to file them down for a crown.
• Restoration dentistry: This branch of dentistry focuses on how to make your mouth whole again. If your smile has sustained major damage, inlays are often a common part of larger treatment plans that can restore your oral health from the ground up.

Because inlays typically cover the back teeth, they’re not always a cosmetic recommendation. However, if you can see the damage in photos or your reflection, inlays are a natural and durable way to fill in the gaps.

Find a Dentist with Inlay Expertise 

If you’re looking for a dentist in Mountain View, CA, with inlay expertise, it’s important to do your research. At the offices of Dr. Joseph M Cassera, you’ll meet a staff member who can tell you more about whether an inlay is right for you and what you can expect from it over time.