What Are Dental Inlays & Onlays?

Porcelain Inlays And Onlays – Restoring Damaged Teeth

Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair mild decay or damage in rear teeth. They can also be used to repair cracked teeth in place of a crown if the damage is not too substantial. Since these can be made from durable tooth-coloured porcelain, they offer a much more enduring and natural-looking result than metal fillings.

Dental Inlays Versus Onlays

Inlays can be used to replace old or damaged metal fillings, or to treat damage that lies between the cusps of the teeth or in the centre of the tooth. An onlay, however, is used to treat tooth decay that extends to one or more of the cusps. Essentially, both of them are the same type of restoration placed differently, depending on the location of damage in the tooth.

The Procedure

Both of them are placed in much the same way. First an impression of your tooth is taken and a temporary inlay or onlay is placed over the tooth. The impressions are sent to a dental lab where it is created to match your tooth’s specifications. Once it is ready, the temporary one is removed and the permanent one is carefully placed over your damaged tooth. The entire procedure usually takes two visits to complete.

Contact Us For More Information

Visit us today at our clinic or contact us to find out how dental inlays and onlays may be able to enhance your smile’s health and appearance.