Eastboro Dental | Comprehensive Oral Health Care in Orleans
Dental Inlays & Dental Onlays
What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
Dental inlays and onlays are a restorative dental procedure used to treat and repair tooth decay. They are often used as an alternative to other restorative oral health solutions such as dental fillings or dental crowns.
How Inlays and Onlays Are Used
Inlays and onlays are tooth restorations fabricated in a dental laboratory. They are created as single solid pieces designed to be placed directly over the biting surface of the existing tooth structure.
These restorations can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, and composite resins.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays offer multiple benefits and can be used for both cosmetic and restorative purposes, providing strength, durability, and a natural appearance.
Inlays and onlays differ mostly in terms of their shape and orientation on the tooth surface.
In cases when tooth damage is limited to the uppermost surface, an inlay can be applied between the cusps of the tooth without extending to the surrounding tooth area.
When the damage extends to the cusps of the teeth, an onlay will cover more of the surface of the tooth, including the cusps.
Inlays or onlays may be suggested as a conservative treatment option over dental crowns. Unlike dental crowns, they do not cover the entire tooth; instead, they are applied to the cusp of the tooth. The natural tooth does not need to be ground down to fit the piece, making the procedure less invasive for the patient.
Inlays and onlays are often used to repair larger cavities, while fillings are typically recommended for smaller cavities when there is a greater amount of tooth structure remaining. However, these two options may both be available, depending on the level of tooth decay.
Inlays and onlays are typically placed over two visits (unless the dentist you’ve chosen has the ability to create them on site). In the first appointment, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and take a mould of the tooth. Typically, a temporary onlay will be used to protect the tooth between appointments.
Then, a custom inlay or onlay will be created in a dental laboratory. During your second appointment, the restoration will be placed over the chewing surface of the tooth using a bonding agent. Once they are fully bonded to the tooth, they are a long-term solution and may last up to 30 years.
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3732 Innes Road, Unit 1
Orleans, ON K1W 0C8
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(613) 841-6100