Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns in Madison, South Dakota

Inlays, Onlays, and Crows: Learning Which is Which of Dental Restorations!

In the past, a different dentist may have proceeded with your treatment without fully explaining it to you. However, this is not the case for the professionals at Madison Family Dental! Dr. Troy Keyes and Dr. Cassondra Braun make sure that each of their patients understands the benefits to each treatment they need to consider before selecting their procedure. Please call us today if you would like to make an appointment at Madison Family Dental or ask any questions you may have after reading this educational page about inlays, onlays and crowns.

Facts about Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns

Inlays are used when a tooth is damaged beyond the point of being able to support a dental filling but not so decayed as to need a crown. Teeth have natural cusps, especially with a molar, and an inlay is used to fix a tooth which has deteriorated in between these points. The inlay resides within the surface of the tooth without covering a cusp.

An onlay is used to restore an area of a tooth that has extended to a cusp but has not yet extended to the point of needing a complete dental crown. When a large part of the biting area of a tooth needs treatment but a dentist wants to avoid using a crown, onlays are usually the best option. It’s important to only use a crown as a last resort restoration because placing one requires the dentist to remove part of the natural tooth structure. Onlays can be placed to maintain and protect the existing tooth.

Crowns are needed to cover damaged or misshapen teeth. They cover the entire surface of the tooth in order to protect them from possible infiltrating germs. Crowns are most often placed after a root canal procedure, to complete a dental implant, or to conceal a discoloration on a tooth.

Our inlays, onlays, and crowns are all constructed from natural-colored porcelain. We want to help you restore your mouth to its original health while preserving your natural appearance.

Please call our office today if you want to schedule an appointment with Madison Family Dental. We regularly see patients from all over South Dakota, including Madison, Mitchell, Brookings, Dell Rapids, and nearby areas for inlays, onlays, and crowns. If this will be your first time going to Madison Family Dental for your dentistry needs, please take a brief moment to review the information that we have included on our new patient page. Don’t hesitate to come to our dental practice to receive the restorative dentistry assistance your bite needs! We are happy to help every patient.