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Posts for: July, 2014

Q: I’ve never heard these terms used in dentistry. What are they?
A: In the decorative arts, an inlay refers to a small piece of distinctive material that’s set into a larger matrix: a mother of pearl accent worked into the lid of a wooden box, for example. In dentistry, it means something similar: a filling (or restoration) that’s fabricated in a dental laboratory, and then set into a tooth in an area that has been damaged or lost.
Q: What’s the difference between inlays and onlays?
A: An inlay is made to fit in between the cusps (small points or ridges) of a back tooth (molar or premolar), and it covers only a small region of the biting surface of the tooth. If the restoration covers one or more of the cusps, it’s an onlay.
Q: Why would I need to have one of these restorations?
A: When a tooth has suffered damage (from decay or trauma, for example), and the affected area is too large to fill with a simple filling — but not large enough to need a full crown (cap) — then an inlay or onlay may be just right. Both of these procedures are considered “indirect fillings,” because the restoration itself is custom-fabricated in a laboratory and then bonded to the tooth in the dental office.
Q: What is the procedure for getting an inlay or onlay?
A: It’s similar to having a crown placed, in that it typically takes more than one office visit — yet an inlay or onlay involves less removal of tooth structure than a crown would require. On the first visit, after the area has been anesthetized (usually with a numbing shot), any decay is removed, and the tooth is shaped to receive the restoration. Next, a model of the tooth is made (either with putty or in digital form), and the tooth receives a temporary filling. The laboratory uses this model to create the actual inlay or onlay, which may take a few days; it is then permanently attached to the tooth on a second visit to the office. However, with today’s advances in CAD/CAM (computer aided design/ manufacturing) technology, some inlays or onlays can be made in the office and placed in the same visit.
Q: What else do I need to know about these tooth restorations?
A: Both inlays and onlays are strong and long-lasting restorations that need no more care than you would normally give your teeth: namely, regular brushing and flossing, and periodic checkups at our office. But because they don’t require the removal of a great deal of natural tooth material, they are considered relatively conservative treatments. After a thorough dental examination, we can recommend the type of tooth restoration that’s most appropriate in your individual circumstances.
If you’d like to find out more about inlays or onlays, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers” and “The Natural Beauty of Tooth Colored Fillings.”

The main strategy in fighting dental disease is to try to prevent it in the first place. The success of this strategy depends largely on effective oral hygiene with three essential elements: daily brushing, daily flossing, and semi-annual checkups with professional cleaning.
Many people have little trouble incorporating brushing into their daily routine; flossing, though, is a different matter for some. They may feel it’s too time-consuming or too hard to perform. Patients with orthodontic appliances especially may encounter difficulty navigating the floss around the appliance hardware.
Flossing, though, is extremely important for removing bacterial plaque, the primary aim of oral hygiene. This thin film of food remnant that builds up and sticks to the teeth is the breeding ground for bacteria that cause both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. It’s important that as much plaque as possible is removed from the teeth and gum surfaces every day. While brushing removes plaque from the open surfaces of the teeth, flossing removes plaque clinging between teeth and around the gums that can’t be accessed with a toothbrush.
If traditional flossing is too difficult, there’s a viable alternative using an oral irrigator. Also known as a water flosser, an oral irrigator directs a stream of pressurized, pulsating water inside the mouth to blast away plaque in these hard to reach places. The hand applicator comes with a variety of tips that can be used for a number of dental situations, such as cleaning around braces or implants. In home use since the early 1960s, the latest versions of oral irrigators have proven to be very effective, especially for orthodontic patients — research shows an oral irrigator used in conjunction with brushing can remove up to five times more plaque than just brushing alone.
That being said, traditional flossing is also effective at plaque removal when performed properly. Sometimes, resistance to flossing can be remedied with a little training during dental checkups. We can work with you on techniques to improve your flossing activity, as well as train you to use an oral irrigator.
Whichever method you choose, it’s important for you to incorporate flossing (or irrigation) into your daily routine. Removing plaque, especially in those hard to reach places, is essential for reducing your risk of developing destructive dental disease.
If you would like more information on flossing or oral irrigation, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cleaning Between Your Teeth.”

Dentist - Fort Worth
2551 River Park Plaza
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-732-4419
Our Blog
Archive:
- 2019
- January (6)
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- 2018
- December (6)
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
- November (6)
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- This November, Become a Non-Smoker
- October (6)
- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- September (6)
- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
- Protect Your Teeth During Football Season
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- A New School Year, A New Beginning
- Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
- August (6)
- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
- 4 Big Benefits for Beginning Early Dental Visits for Your Child
- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
- Crown Lengthening Helps us Treat Hard to Reach Cavities
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- July (7)
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- June (6)
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
- 4 Problem Areas That Could Affect Your Child's Teeth
- May (6)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- April (5)
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- OTC Pain Relievers Usually Enough to Relieve Post-Procedure Mouth Discomfort
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- 2017
- November (5)
- Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- Sometimes It's Good to Be a Quitter: Smoking and Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- July (5)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Your Dentist may have the Solution for Your Sleep Apnea
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
- March (5)
- Factors Besides Oral Hygiene that Influence Your Risk for Tooth Decay
- That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
- 2016
- October (5)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- March (5)
- Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- 2015
- November (5)
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
- 2014
- August (5)
- Occasional Tongue Redness may be Irritating but not a Serious Health Issue
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gummy Smiles
- 2013
- 2012
- August (8)
- Bleeding Gums Mean Something is Wrong
- Treating Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How to Get What You Want in Your Smile Makeover
- Countdown To A Perfect Wedding Day Smile
- Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are You at High Risk for Tooth Decay?
- 2011
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