Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations designed to repair and enhance teeth with significant damage or decay. Crafted from materials like composite, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain, these durable treatments are tailored to match your natural teeth, offering a discreet and long-lasting solution. Inlays restore the area within the cusps of a tooth, while onlays extend to one or more cusps, often referred to as partial crowns. Both options are more conservative than crowns, preserving more of the natural tooth structure.
The procedure typically involves two appointments: the first to prepare the tooth, take impressions, and apply a temporary restoration, and the second to securely cement the custom inlay or onlay. With proper care, inlays and onlays can provide years of functionality and a beautiful smile.
Inlays
An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. They are also more conservative than crowns since less of the tooth structure is removed in the preparation for the inlays.
As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require a replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
Reasons for inlay restorations:
- Broken or fractured teeth.
- Cosmetic enhancement.
- Decayed teeth.
- Fractured fillings.
- Large fillings.
How Inlays Work
An inlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include your dentist taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) of your teeth that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your inlay is made by a dental laboratory.
At your second appointment, your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.
You will receive care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay. For any questions regarding porcelain, inlays contact us today.
Onlays
An onlay restoration is a custom-made filling that created with composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are more popular among patients because they most closely resemble the natural tooth beneath, allowing for a more discreet treatment outcome. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are created by a professional dental laboratory and are then permanently cemented onto your tooth by your dentist for treatment.
Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or teeth that have been damaged by decay and trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns, or caps, because less tooth structure is removed in preparation for placing and using onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration treatment.
As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and they may someday require replacement. However, porcelain onlays are highly durable and will last for many years given proper care and maintenance, giving you a beautiful, long-lasting smile.
Reasons for porcelain onlay restorations:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
How Onlays Work
An onlay procedure usually requires two appointments to ensure proper installation. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions, or molds, that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration treatment.
Taking place during the first appointment, your dentist will numb the tooth or teeth that needs restoration. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove any decay or old filling materials. They will then thoroughly clean and carefully prepare the newly empty space, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. Finally, your dentist will apply a temporary filling to protect your tooth while a dental laboratory works to create your onlay.
At your second appointment, your dentist will be sure to carefully and precisely cement your new onlay into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable with the new porcelain onlay.
Once your porcelain onlays are placed and fitted, you will receive care instructions from your dentist. These instructions may include good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits to help aid in prolonging the life of your new porcelain onlay. For any questions regarding porcelain onlays, contact our team today!