Dental Inlays & Onlays
Restoring Damaged Teeth with Dental Inlays & Onlays
What are Dental Inlays & Onlays?
A dental inlay is used to fill in the space in between the tooth’s cusps that have been decayed or damaged. On the other hand, dental onlays are used to cover one cusp or outer surface of the tooth. Inlays restore the tooth if it has a larger hole, while the onlay is intended to deal with a smaller damaged portion of the tooth.
Dental inlays and onlays are used when conventional dental fillings are not enough or appropriate to restore the tooth after it has been decayed or damaged. These treatments are also considered to preserve more of the tooth’s healthy structure, unlike other treatment options – such as dental crowns – that involve chiseling off more of the tooth’s remaining structure.
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Inlays and onlays are often completed in two dental appointments.
- During the first appointment, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing all the damaged portions, ensuring that only a healthy tooth structure remains without decayed parts left behind.
- An impression of the tooth is then taken as part of the treatment process.
- The impression will be sent to the laboratory where the technician will work on creating the custom-made inlay or onlay.
- Once the customised dental onlay or inlay is finished (in about two weeks’ time), you will need to go back to the dental clinic to have the treatment completed.
- The dental inlay or onlay is bonded into the damaged tooth’s cavity or onto the tooth’s surface to complete the restoration.
Dental inlays and onlays restore the function of the tooth so you can use it once more to bite and chew on food properly. These treatments also bring back the tooth’s healthy appearance, resolving the unsightliness of a decayed tooth in your mouth.