Dental Inlays and Onlays

What are inlays and onlays, and how can they help?

It is more than possible to keep a fantastic smile, even if you have cavities. There are a variety of procedures that can be done, but sometimes fillings are not enough. There are times when tooth decay, for example, is too severe for just a filling but still not severe enough for a crown. This is when inlays and onlays come into use. With inlays and onlays, less than your tooth is removed than with a crown, and your natural color and shade of tooth can be replicated and maintained.

Traditionally, inlays and onlays were made of gold. Now, they tend to be made of ceramic, porcelain, or special composites. They are made to last decades if not a lifetime, lasting longer than fillings if given the proper care. Inlays are sometimes used instead of regular fillings when a tooth is broken or fractured in a way where the cusp has not been affected or when an injury doesn’t allow you to remove enough of the tooth to support a crown. Onlays are similar to inlays, except they also cover the cusp of a tooth, which is the raised points on the crown of your teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Brocks Gap Dental

The process of getting an inlay or onlay at Brocks Gap Dentistry is one that is simple and straightforward. First, any damage or decay is removed, and the tooth is cleaned and prepared. Molds are taken and sent off to a laboratory to be made special for your teeth. You’ll receive temporary covers or fillings until they are ready, at which time, the temporary coverings will be removed, and you will be fitted with your new inlays/onlays. Once it fits perfectly, it will be bonded to your teeth with a resin adhesive. It is then polished smooth. They may take a little time to get used to, as does any change in your mouth, but you should be fine in little time.

If you are having difficulty deciding whether inlays/onlays or crowns/caps are right for you, be sure to talk with your prosthodontist or dentist.

Teeth Whitening

At Brocks Gap Dentistry, we want you to be happy with your smile. Whitening is one of the many services we offer that can help with just that.

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