Sometimes even the most thorough oral hygiene regimen simply isn’t enough to prevent a cavity from forming on one of your teeth. Your regular dental checkup at Brent A. Spear, DDS is designed to detect any areas of tooth decay on your teeth. However, if you notice a problem area on one of your teeth in between dental checkups, you should call us to have it looked at, as soon as possible.
Large cavities on your back teeth can have serious consequences. If these cavities aren’t repaired in short order it could develop into a more serious problem.
Dr. Spear can usually repair a cavity on one of your back teeth with an inlay or onlay filling. Most inlays and onlays are made from porcelain or gold. This often means the fillings need to be produced at a dental lab, and then cemented into place at a brief follow up appointment. The only real difference between these two types of fillings is related to the size and location of the tooth decay.
Inlays are used to repair large cavities on the biting surface of molars and premolars. Onlays are called for to repair larger an area of decay that extends from the biting surface to the side of a tooth.
If you have a cavity or area of sensitivity on one of your back teeth, you should not delay in calling Brent A. Spear, DDS to schedule an appointment to have the problem addressed.