Our patients often ask: How do general and restorative dentistry differ? Even though these two fields of dentistry often overlap, there are differences in the spectrum of the procedures they employ. Please read our article to learn more about these two branches of dentistry.

How Do General and Restorative Dentistry Differ?

Restorative dentistry deals primarily with broken, missing, or decayed teeth. The main goal of this branch of dentistry is to restore the health, function, and appearance of teeth and gums or to replace missing teeth. General dentistry focuses on overall oral health, examinations, preventative measures, and education.

Restorative Dentistry Procedures

Restorative dentistry includes a variety of procedures, depending on a patient’s needs:

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings treat cavities in teeth. They typically involve using resin composite material to fill in the cavity after removing the decay from the tooth.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment deals with more extensive tooth decay that infects the pulp chamber within the tooth. During the procedure, dentists remove the infected pulp, clean the canals, and fill them with a special dental material that seals them and prevents reinfection.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown covers, reinforces, and protects a tooth weakened by decay. For example, it is often employed after a root canal treatment.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are used in cases when the decay is not extensive enough to justify using a dental crown but big enough for a simple dental filling. They are custom-made in the shape of a piece of the tooth that needs to be replaced.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges replace individual missing tooth or multiple teeth in a row. They are supported by the remaining natural teeth on both sides and hang over the gap.

Dental Implants

Dental implants consist of a metal post that fuses with the jawbone and acts like the roots of natural teeth, as well as a dental crown. Implants are one of the most sophisticated and reliable methods of replacing missing teeth.

Dentures

Dentures are artificial teeth that rely on the gums or the existing natural teeth for support. There are full and partial dentures, and the choice depends on the number of missing teeth.

Dental Veneers and Dental Bonding

Dental veneers and bonding restore chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Veneers are porcelain shells that cover the entire outer surface of a tooth, while dental bonding typically covers only a part of it.

Bone and Gum Grafting

Bone grafting involves using natural or artificial materials—grafts—to promote the regeneration of a jawbone that has lost its density. Gum grafting is a similar procedure, but it aims at gum tissue regeneration. The dentist will place grafts in the gum or bone, which subsequently begins regrowing around them. Both procedures are most commonly used in preparation for dental implants or as part of gum disease treatment.

General Dentistry Procedures

General Dentistry procedures include:

Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings are an essential preventative measure. Accordingly, dentists recommend getting professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months to effectively maintain good oral health. In some cases, for example, during gum disease treatment, you might need to have dental cleanings more often, typically every four months. During the cleaning, your dentist removes plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and gums, thus preventing cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Physical Examinations

Dentists recommend physical examinations every 6 to 12 months to spot any potential oral health issues and establish effective treatment before serious problems develop.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatment is usually the last step in dental cleaning. Specifically, because it is highly beneficial for reinforcing the enamel of the teeth, making them more resistant to bacteria and decay.

X-rays and Scans

X-rays and scans are diagnostic methods that allow your dentist to effectively establish the cause of the issue and to either prescribe a course of treatment or refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.

Dental Fillings and Root Canal Treatments

General dentists can effectively perform procedures such as cavity and tooth decay treatment with dental fillings and root canal treatments.

Make an Appointment Today

If you need general or restorative dental services, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a dentist in Los Angeles today. We offer a broad spectrum of high-quality modern procedures to ensure our patients’ oral health. Our specialists look forward to welcoming you and your family to Samaritan Dental.

Tooth inlays and onlays are used for dental restoration and can be a good alternative for a filling or a dental crown in some cases. But how are dental inlays and onlays different? Please read our article to learn more about both these treatment options and in what cases they are used.

How Are Dental Inlays and Onlays Different?

In most cases, dental fillings are used for smaller cavities and dental crowns are used to restore and support a more severely decayed tooth. However, there are situations when a filling is not enough, and covering the whole tooth with a dental crown is too radical to achieve optimal results and preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. In such cases, your dentist might choose an onlay or an inlay.

Both dental inlays and onlays are typically used to repair molars and premolars when the teeth are significantly damaged. In most cases, both onlays and inlays are made of tooth-colored porcelain or ceramics, which allows them to be inconspicuous in the mouth. Inlays and onlays can also be made of resin composite or gold.

The main difference between the two methods of treatment is what part of the tooth they are going to cover and how extensive the tooth damage is.

What Are Dental Inlays?

Inlays are used when the surface of the tooth sustains damage, and the cavity is in the center or within the grooves of the tooth. Your dentist will most likely choose an inlay when a smaller part of the tooth needs restoration but is still too large to use a dental filling.

What Are Dental Onlays?

Onlay can cover up to about 35% of the tooth’s structure and is mainly used when the cavity is more extensive and spreads to the tooth’s biting surface or edge. It is also sometimes referred to as a partial crown.

The Procedure of Getting an Inlay or an Onlay

The procedure begins with your dentist cleaning out the decay in the tooth. If a previous dental restoration is present, they will remove it at this time. Then, impressions of your tooth will be made and sent to the lab, where your dental restoration will be made. While you are waiting for your inlay or onlay to be made, you will be given a temporary filling. During your next visit, the onlay or inlay will be fitted and bonded to your tooth.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

There are several reasons to choose dental onlay or inlay as a method of treatment:

Inlays and onlays tend to last longer—for up to 30 years—compared to dental fillings.
Inlays and onlays do not weaken the tooth structure over time as much as traditional fillings can.
Unlike dental crowns, inlays and onlays do not require reshaping the tooth. Thus, they allow the preservation of a more significant part of the natural tooth.
Inlays and onlays strengthen the structure of the tooth.

Dental Inlay Versus Dental Filling

Inlays are used for much larger cavities than dental fillings. In both methods of treatment, an existing decay is removed first. However, covering the cleaned area with a filling is faster since it can be done immediately in a dental office. A dental inlay has to be custom-made in the lab before it can be fitted to the tooth.

An advantage of inlays compared to dental fillings is that they do not contract over time as much as fillings do. Thus, an inlay is much less likely to fall out. Also, inlays are typically more durable than dental fillings.

Dental Onlay Versus Dental Crown

A dental crown covers up to 75% of the natural tooth—the entire tooth structure above the gumline—and, in most cases, requires tooth reshaping to be fitted. Dental crowns are more suitable when a large part of the tooth is damaged and needs much support and reinforcement.

On the other hand, onlay can be used when a significant part of the tooth is still intact. They are used when only about 35% of the tooth needs treatment and restoration.

Make an Appointment Today

If you need tooth restoration services, do not hesitate to contact Samaritan Dental today and make an appointment with a dentist in Los Angeles. In our dental office, we use modern treatment techniques and equipment and high-quality restoration materials to deliver reliable results. Our specialists are looking forward to welcoming you and your family to our office.