Many people have discovered that, through the use of IV sedation, they need no longer be afraid of dental treatment. IV sedation and other sedation alternatives have helped thousands of patients overcome their dental phobia and become much happier patients. Many dentists recommend dental inlays and onlays to restore old or broken metal fillings, or teeth suffering from mild tooth decay. One of the most common treatments for replacing old or failed metal fillings or restoring mildly decayed teeth is the placement of inlays or onlays.

Inlays are placed in the indented surfaces along the top of the teeth and can be made from porcelain materials colored to match the natural coloration of the tooth, or gold. Inlays made of porcelain are set in the depressed surface of the teeth and can be matched to the color of the tooth; gold inlays are also available. Inlays are fitted in to the concave area on the top of a tooth and can be made of different materials like gold or porcelain, which can be colored to match the tooth. Benefits of inlays and onlays include that they are usually made of tooth colored materials and are therefore undetectable and more aesthetically pleasing. Inlays and onlays offer dental restoration with materials can be matched with the original tooth rendering them almost invisible and provides a visually pleasing solution. Those who choose to use inlays and onlays will have an aesthetic and virtually invisible restoration. They are unlike any filling material in that they do not expand or contract when exposed to cold or heat. They do not react to cold or heat like other filling materials. Inlays and onlays do not expand or contract under the influence of temperature variations which happens with other filling materials.This provides better support to the overall structure of the teeth. This helps better maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. This strengthens the normal structure of the teeth. They also have an average lifespan of thirty or more years. Inlays and onlays can last more than thirty years. Inlays and onlays provide a long-term restoration and have been known to last for over thirty years. Inlays and onlays are unlikely to require replacement like other potential treatments. Many other restorative products may fail as a result of exposure to high or low temperatures, or to habits like teeth grinding.

Patients with a cavity between their teeth will often have an inlay recommended to them rather than a composite or amalgam filling, as they are better at completely sealing the tooth in such a tight and difficult-to-clean area. Patients are often advised to have an inlay restoration in place of a composite or amalgam filling where decay is present between teeth because an inlay can more effectively seal the area from further decay. The dentists often recommend on inlay for a patient who is discovered to have a cavity between the teeth to instead of a composite or an amalgam filling, as inlays can completely seal the cavity site even in a tight location.

Most inlays and onlays are created from a mold of the problem tooth out of gold, porcelain or resin. A mold is taken of the damaged tooth from which the gold, resin or porcelain inlay or onlay is created. Inlays and onlays are generally made out of gold, porcelain or resin pressed into a mold of the tooth being treated. The choice of material usually depends upon the area in the mouth. The selection of the material often depends upon the part of the mouth being restored. The part of the mouth being restored determines what materials should be chosen.Gold is recommended for molars as it is incredibly durable and offers better resistance to grinding and wear and tear. Gold is usually used to restore molar teeth as most of the grinding and tearing happens there and gold is extremely strong and long lasting. Gold is the material of choice for the molar teeth as they do most of the crushing and grinding in the mouth, and gold is sturdy and long-lasting. Their custom fit, durable materials and resistance to the conditions within the mouth make them the ideal choice for severely weakened or damaged teeth. Since they fit perfectly to the teeth, are made of sturdy materials, and fight the potential for corrosion within the mouth, they are ideally suited for treating seriously damaged teeth. They are an excellent option for restoring decayed or injured teeth because of their ability to fit in perfectly to teeth, the durability of their material, and their ability to withstand the conditions inside the human mouth.