When you have decay that is too extensive for a simple filling, but not severe to warrant a full-coverage crown, dental inlays and onlays are the ideal treatment. Our Brookfield dentist may recommend inlays/onlays dental treatment to correct your worn out teeth and here is what you need to know.
Ceramic inlays and onlays are the most common form of restoration. These indirect fillings that are made at the dental laboratory and bonded to the teeth using cement.
Dental inlays are fitted on the pits of the teeth but do not cover the cusps. The inlays are ideal if you get an injury or decay that does not extend to the rest of the chewing surface.
Inlays differ from direct filling in various ways. While inlays are polished to minimize recurrent decay, direct filling shrink during fixing, which increases your chances of failure. Also, inlays have a longer shelf life and come in different materials.
Dental onlays are used if the decay or damage extends to the cusps. Traditional onlays come in different materials but composite inlays and onlays are ideal because they resemble your real teeth.
The dentist may recommend in inlays or onlays if:
The process of fixing inlays and onlays is the same. The treatment aims to preserve the teeth, and therefore the enamel is not reshaped like in dental crowns. Crowns require the teeth reshaping to make room for the restorations. To get the inlays and onlays, you will need at least two dental visits.
During your initial consultation, the dentist will examine and assess the teeth and the extent of the decay. Next, the teeth are cleaned and decay removed. A small amount of the tooth surface is removed depending on the size of the material needed.
The dentist will take an impression of the tooth to send to the lab to create the final inlays and onlays. A temporary filling is fixed to protect the teeth as you wait for the permanent ones.
On your second consultation, the temporary fillings are replaced with permanent ones. A resin or cement is used to fix the restorations.
When fixed correctly, the inlays and onlays give a seamless look.
Pros
Cons
Inlays and onlays are durable and effective, however, they can fail and a few factors can increase the risk:
Visit The Dental Team by booking an appointment with our dentist near you, and know more about dental inlays and onlays and assessment if you are a candidate for the restorations.