Dental inlays and onlays are a middle ground solution between traditional tooth fillings and dental crowns. These custom-made restorations protect weakened teeth and provide added strength.
The procedure usually takes two appointments. During the first visit, we remove the damaged or decayed area of the tooth and make an impression for fabrication at a separate lab.
Durability
A porcelain inlay or onlay is a custom restoration that offers greater strength and durability than traditional tooth fillings. In addition, dental inlays Raleigh NC and onlays are stain-resistant and blend in beautifully with your natural teeth. They can also address a bigger cavity without the need for tooth crowns, preserving more of your healthy tooth structure.
During your first appointment, we’ll administer a local anesthetic and then remove the old filling or damaged tooth tissue. We’ll then carefully clean and prepare the space, shaping it to accommodate the inlay or onlay. Once we’ve received the finished restoration, you’ll return for the second appointment.
During this time, we’ll place the inlay or onlay into the affected tooth and bond it to ensure a snug fit. Once the restoration is cemented in, we’ll give you care instruction and schedule your next checkup. A proper oral hygiene routine, including daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental visits will help extend the life of your inlay or onlay.
Comfort
A dental inlay or onlay is made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin and is bonded to a damaged tooth. A porcelain inlay is a great alternative to traditional silver or composite fillings and can be created to closely match the color of your tooth. Inlays and onlays are used to treat large cavities in the chewing surfaces of molars and bicuspids when the damage is too severe for a regular filling or crown.
Unlike amalgam fillings, inlays and onlays do not expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. This prevents small cracks from developing that can harbor bacteria and weaken the tooth. The bonding material also seals the hole, reducing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and preventing food debris from getting into the tooth. The result is a stronger, more durable restoration that can last much longer than a traditional filling. Daily oral hygiene, along with routine brushing and flossing and biannual dental visits will help to extend the life of your inlay or onlay.
Aesthetics
When teeth become damaged, our dentists offer inlays and onlays to restore their function and appearance. These restorations are typically made from porcelain or composite resin and are bonded to the affected tooth to provide long-lasting stability. They are also stain-resistant and match the shade of your natural teeth for an attractive smile.
During the first appointment, we administer local anesthesia before removing any existing decay or old fillings to prepare the tooth for the inlay or onlay. We then create an impression of the area to send to a dental laboratory to have your custom inlay or onlay fabricated.
Inlays are similar to dental fillings and are placed in the center of a tooth’s chewing surface. An onlay is more extensive and covers one or more of a tooth’s cusp tips. Both are designed to protect the tooth from further damage, and they are a more conservative option than a crown. They also seal the tooth to keep bacteria and food from entering the hole, which can cause sensitivity.
Maintenance
While we can usually repair small cavities with dental fillings, larger holes or decay on the chewing surface of your molars and bicuspids require more significant treatment. Fortunately, we offer durable and aesthetic solutions such as onlays and dental inlays Raleigh NC to repair moderate to severe tooth damage and strengthen teeth. These custom-made restorations are an ideal middle ground between traditional dental fillings and a full dental crown.
During your first visit we will remove any existing dental fillings or damaged areas of the affected tooth and prep it for the onlay/inlay. We will then take an impression of your bite using dental putty and send it to a laboratory where the onlay/inlay will be fabricated. Once your onlay/inlay is ready, we will place it in the affected tooth and bond it to ensure a comfortable fit and a strong bite. At-home oral hygiene and regular appointments will help to prolong the life of your inlay/onlay. These beautiful restorations provide superior durability and strength compared to traditional amalgam fillings.
