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Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays

What are Inlays and Onlays?

Restoring your smile can sometimes require specific restorations. One such restoration is an inlay or onlay. These small pieces of porcelain or ceramic are made specifically to your tooth’s shape. The inlay sits inside the actual tooth’s grooves while the onlay sits over top of the tooth. This restoration can replace old, large fillings or to cover an area that has cracked or broken.

Why might Inlays and Onlays be needed?

Your teeth rarely break or crack in a perfect manner every time. In some cases, a tooth may crack only on the very top. This area would benefit from either an inlay or onlay rather than a full dental crown. For teeth with large areas of filling or decay, we might recommend an inlay or onlay when compared to another filling.

Inlays and Onlays - Rosenthal Family Dentistry
Inlays and Onlays - Rosenthal Family Dentistry

Who is a candidate for Inlays and Onlays?

To determine if an inlay or onlay is needed, we will examine your teeth. This helps us to determine if one or more of your teeth will benefit from this specific type of restoration. Most inlays and onlays will last for decades before they may need to be replaced. If you have an older restoration, we can easily replace it in our office when this is needed.

What happens during the procedure to place Inlays and Onlays?

The procedure begins by removing any old filling material or areas of decay from the tooth. If there is a break or crack, we may smooth out any rough edges before impressions are taken. Impressions of the area are taken by our staff and used to make the new restoration. You’ll come back in for a second visit so that we can place the permanent restoration. We adjust the way it fits and feels before you leave the office. You can expect the new restoration to last for several decades before it should be replaced with a new one.

If you think you need an inlay or an onlay, we can help to answer all of your questions when you contact our office.