Inlays or Onlays
What’s an Inlay or Onlay?
Restoring your smile is important in that it helps to improve the overall look of your teeth and oral functioning. In some cases, you’ll need a restoration that is slightly larger and more stable than a filling but smaller in size when compared to a full dental crown. This restoration is called an inlay or an onlay. Inlays sit inside of the cusps of a tooth while the onlay sits over the very top of the tooth’s crown.
Why is an Inlay or Onlay needed?
You might need either of these restorative options if you have deep decay, a large filling or if the very top of a tooth has broken, fractured or chipped. Rather than damage the entire tooth to place a full dental crown, the inlay or onlay is essential in helping to build up just the area of the tooth that’s been compromised. You may even choose to remove old fillings and replace them with inlays or onlays because they last longer.
Who’s a candidate for an Inlay or Onlay?
With the help of a thorough examination, we’ll determine if you would benefit from either of these restorations. They’re ideal for patients who have deep decay or large fillings that need to be replaced. They’re just as beneficial for areas of tooth that have cracked or broken just at the very surface. Some patients prefer inlays and onlays because they can last for decades rather than just a few years.
What happens during the Inlay or Onlay process?
We begin by removing any decay or old filling material from the tooth. The tooth is then prepped for the new restoration. If the tooth has broken or chipped, it’s important that we smooth this area before making and placing the new restoration. Impressions allow us to create a detailed inlay or onlay specific to that tooth. Your next appointment involves actually placing the restoration and adjusting the bite.
If you’re curious about inlays and onlays and want to learn more about the procedure, call us today and we can answer any of your questions.