Inlay
In dentistry, an inlay is an indirect restoration (filling) consisting of a solid substance (as gold or porcelain) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place. An onlay is the same as an inlay, except that it extends to replace a cusp. Crowns are onlays which completely cover all surfaces of a tooth.
When do you need an inlay or onlay?
When dental decay is advanced and the tooth cannot be repaired by using filling material. After making a print of the tooth a dental technician makes an artificial, anatomically identical filling. The name - inlay or onlay - of the replacement depends on the position of the filling.
Tooth whitening
If someone is not pleased with the color of her/his teeth can ask for dental whitening or bleaching.
It is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Whitening restores natural tooth color and bleaching whitens beyond the natural color.
Procedure:
- After consultation the dental technician makes a plastic mold of the patient’s denture
- The denture is merged into the mold filled with the whitening material for 45 minutes for the first time and 35 minutes for the second time.
- After removing the mold the teeth will be cleaned and treated with special gel to reduce sensitivity
If the patient is still not satisfied with the color of her/his teeth the process can be repeated.