The teeth in the back of your mouth play several important roles in helping to process and break down food before swallowing. While molars are primarily tasked with grinding and chewing, premolars also work in synergy with front teeth to bite off hard and tough foods.
Cavities that develop on the biting surfaces of these teeth can significantly compromise your oral function. This problem can be compounded if you also grind your teeth at night without the protection of a quality dental guard.
If you have noticed a problem with one of your teeth you should not delay in having it examined and treated by a dentist like Drs. Kinney and Musser.
Large cavities and modest dental fractures on molars and premolars can sometimes be repaired with dental fillings known as inlays and onlays. The only important difference between these two types of dental fillings is related to the size and location of the cavity.
An inlay is more likely to be used if the damage is limited to the biting surface of the tooth. An onlay dental filling is intended to repair a larger area that extends beyond the biting surface to compromise more dental structure.
If you are in the Woodbury, Minnesota area and you have a compromised molar or premolar, you should call 651-739-1894 to have it treated at Art & Science Family Dentistry.