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Welcome back to the podcast. Today, we are exploring a restoration option that many patients might not be familiar with, yet it offers incredible benefits for preserving your natural teeth: inlays and onlays. When a tooth experiences damage or decay, most people immediately think of either a standard filling or a full crown. However, there is an ideal middle ground that saves more of your natural tooth structure.
At Dean Cosmetic Dentistry in Knoxville, our philosophy centers on conservative care. We want to protect as much of your healthy, natural enamel as possible. When a cavity or fracture is too large for a standard filling, but the rest of the tooth remains strong, placing a full crown would require removing perfectly healthy enamel. That is where inlays and onlays become the perfect solution.
An inlay fits within the grooves of your tooth, similar to a filling, but crafted from durable ceramic. An onlay extends further to cover one or more worn cusps or points of the tooth. Both restorations are custom crafted to fit the precise missing section like a puzzle piece.
Because we utilize CEREC technology, getting an inlay or onlay in our Knoxville office is fast and comfortable. We start by taking a digital scan with our Primescan wand. That means no messy impression putty and no gagging. The digital scan creates an exact three dimensional model of your tooth.
Using that model, we design your custom restoration and mill it right in our office from a single block of high strength ceramic. You receive your custom ceramic inlay or onlay in just one appointment. There are no temporary pieces, no second visits, and no long waiting periods.
Our friendly and highly trained staff is here to make your experience smooth and relaxing. As a family-owned practice, we take time to evaluate your unique smile and guide you toward treatments that protect your long term oral health.
Thank you for listening today. To learn more about conservative restorative options or schedule a visit, call 865-539-1119 or visit deancosmeticdentistry.com.