Inlays – Onlays
What are Inlays/Onlays
Dental Inlays and Onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. They can also be used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown. Inlays and Onlays are usually created from tooth-colored materials, inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal fillings for patients who desires a more natural looking smile.
Dental Inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying within their indented top surfaces. Dental Onlays are designed to treat decay within the cusps, or top projections of a tooth, Onlays are used to treat decay that extends to one or more of the cusps. They can also be used to replaced old or damaged metal fillings.
Inlay-Onlay placement is carried out in two visit. During your first visit, Dr. Frias, will take an impression of the area to be restored, and temporary inlay/onlay will be placed over the tooth. The impression will then be sent to the laboratory, which will create an Inlay/Onlay that matches your tooth’s specifications. The temporary Inlay/Onlay will be removed and the permanent one will be placed carefully over your tooth.
Benefits of Dental Inlays & Onlays
- Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50%. As an alternative, Inlays/Onlays, are bonded to the tooth with a strong resin that can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years.
- Unlike metal fillings, Inlay/Onlays don’t expand or contract in response to temperature changes caused by hot or cold foods.
- Requires less tooth reduction
Inlay/Onlay can replace silver fillings to create a healthier, more natural-looking smile.