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When more than half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a dental filling is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How are inlays and onlays applied?

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. 

During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. The dentist will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. Dt. Ayşe Sütçü Tuver will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations for Inlays and Onlays

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire dental crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

A root canal is a common procedure used to treat inflammation or infection of the tooth’s sensitive inner pulp tissue, which is made up of blood vessels and nerve fibers. Pulp inflammation can result from a number of causes including deep decay, cracked teeth, or trauma. While many feel uneasy about the idea of a root canal, the procedure is a safe and straightforward way to remove diseased pulp tissue and is a better alternative to tooth extraction.

Reasons for root canal treatment

The following are some of the most frequently cited reasons for root canal treatment.

Deep tooth decay

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth in which acid eats away at the enamel and dentin of the tooth. If this decay is not treated in its early stages, it will eventually spread until it reaches the pulp of the tooth, resulting in inflammation and infection of the pulp, often pain, and ultimately, death of the tooth. For severe tooth decay that has reached the tooth pulp, your dentist may recommend a root canal. During a root canal procedure, the damaged parts of the tooth and the entirety of the diseased pulp will be removed, medication may be placed to clear any active infection, and the root will be filled and sealed using a rubber-like material. Afterwards the tooth needs to be restored to chewing function with a filling or crown.

Tooth abscess

Sometimes the infection of the pulp will spread beyond the confines of a root canal system and into the bone and soft tissues surrounding the tooth root. This is referred to as an abscess. With an abscess you may notice swelling or a bad taste inside the mouth around the infected tooth. In this scenario, root canal therapy is needed in order to clear the infection in the tooth, bone, and soft tissue and save the tooth. Unfortunately, the only other alternative is tooth extraction.

Fractured or traumatized tooth

When a tooth becomes cracked or fractured to a point where the inner pulp is harmed or exposed to bacteria, a root canal procedure may be necessary.

The need for a root canal will depend on the type of fracture and its severity – a dentist or endodontist will be able to evaluate your tooth and recommend the best treatment option. It’s also important to note that sometimes trauma to the tooth can result in pulp death without there being a fracture in the tooth. In this scenario, symptoms may include pain or abscess, and a root canal will be needed.

Resorption

Dental resorption is a condition in which the inside or outside of the tooth root begins to dissolve. It is most commonly seen in baby tooth roots where they slowly dissolve over time to make room for permanent teeth. Resorption is uncommon in adult teeth and is believed to be caused by tooth trauma, pulp infection, or orthodontic treatment, although sometimes it can occur with no apparent cause. There are two primary types of dental resorption:

1. Internal tooth resorption: Where the tooth is dissolving from inside the pulp towards the outside of the tooth.
2. External (apical) tooth resorption: Where the tooth’s root begins to dissolve from the outside.

Resorption can often be successfully treated with root canal treatment. There are usually no obvious symptoms – like pain – but the issue can usually be diagnosed with a routine X-ray exam. It is best treated when diagnosed early, so regular dental visits are important.

Multiple restorations of a tooth

Each time a tooth is restored there is going to be some trauma to the tooth and pulp. This is especially true for large, deep fillings. Sometimes this can lead to a condition called chronic pulpitis where the dental pulp is continually inflamed. Over time, the pulp may eventually die, and root canal treatment will be necessary to save the tooth. Additionally, old fillings or crowns may become cracked and leak, allowing bacteria from the mouth to invade the pulp. This scenario will also warrant a root canal.

Endodontic retreatment

Occasionally, a tooth treated with root canal therapy or another type of restorative procedure may fail to heal correctly and become painful or infected over a matter of months, or years, following the original procedure. When this happens, your dentist or endodontist may need to perform a root canal (perhaps for the second time) to save the tooth that didn’t heal properly. This additional procedure is typically very successful and is able to diminish any pain or discomfort, while promoting correct healing.⁵

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Placing custom teeth veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.

Will dental veneers look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.

Dt. Ayşe Sütçü Tuver will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “whitening” procedure.

Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening

1- Corrects brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining

2- Works on people of any age

3- Is a near-permanent solution for a “dull” smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We’ll want to take “after” photos at your next appointment.

Dental whitening can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of whitening treatments, teeth whitening is nearly always worth a solid try.

How is teeth whitening done?

An impression is taken to make a specialized “mouthguard” or “stent” to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 3-4 hours for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or dental veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations for Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, it’s better to use products that our practice recommends.