When a patient has a small cavity (a hole in the tooth), it can usually be treated with a dental filling. Sometimes, however, teeth undergo more significant damage that cannot be adequately addressed with a filling and compromise the tooth’s structure. In these cases, our dentists at ONE Dental might recommend treatment with an inlay or onlay.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Also referred to as partial crowns, inlays and onlays are tooth restoration treatments similar to dental fillings. However, they are designed to restore a much larger portion of a tooth.
They can be made from a variety of materials, including 100% porcelain and composite resin. Either material can be dyed to blend seamlessly with the remaining portions of your natural tooth.
Inlays
An inlay is a tooth restoration that restores a portion of a tooth’s surface that is positioned entirely within the cusps of the tooth (the tall ridges on the tooth’s chewing surface).
Onlays
An onlay might restore a portion of the tooth’s chewing surface within its cusps, but the restoration also extends to at least part of the tooth’s cusp.
Conditions Treated: How Inlays and Onlays Are Used
Inlays and onlays are used to restore, protect, and strengthen teeth where at least one-third of the tooth’s surface has been damaged. They are sometimes used to fix significant cavities, chips, and fractures and replace old, worn-out dental fillings.
An inlay or onlay might be recommended to restore a tooth that has been damaged due to injury, disease, decay, or another reason.
What To Expect When Getting an Inlay or Onlay
Getting an inlay or onlay is typically a one-appointment dental procedure. The procedure begins with a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t experience any pain or discomfort during treatment.
We then treat and clean your tooth, removing any infected or otherwise decayed tissues in addition to removing any old fillings or dental work.
We then take a digital impression of your mouth and create your inlay or onlay with a completely customized design to fit your mouth and bite.
Once ready, we bond your inlay or onlay to your natural tooth using composite resin. We have you bite down at this time to see how your bite feels so that we can make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect, comfortable, and natural-feeling fit.
Smile Restoration With Advanced Dental Treatment at ONE Dental
At ONE Dental in Miami, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of restorative dentistry services designed to restore the form and function of your teeth while improving your overall oral health. To learn more about smile restoration, inlays, and onlays, or to schedule an appointment for your next dental exam, we welcome you to contact our office today.
When a patient has a small cavity (a hole in the tooth), it can usually be treated with a dental filling. Sometimes, however, teeth undergo more significant damage that cannot be adequately addressed with a filling and compromise the tooth’s structure. In these cases, our dentists at ONE Dental might recommend treatment with an inlay or onlay.