Dental Inlays and onlays

If your tooth has sustained damage or is suffering from decay that is too extensive to be restored with a simple filling, you may be a candidate for this dental solution.

There will need to be ample healthy tooth remaining to complete a restoration. If there isn’t, then you may be a candidate for a full crown

Both the inlay and the onlay are quite similar in terms of functionality. However, the inlay will only cover the area between the cusps of the tooth. The onlay will cover one or more cusps of the tooth.  The cusps are the elevated sections of the teeth

Working with your dentist, you will be able to determine which of the available options is the best one to help you to meet your tooth restoration goals.

Your dentist is likely to recommend the inlay or onlay over a regular filling if your tooth is broken or fractured beyond what a filling can remedy or if the decay or damage is large enough that a dental filling will not sufficiently bolster the remaining tooth structure. Inlays and onlays will restore your smile while helping to prevent further decay.

At your appointment with your dentist, the health of the tooth will be assessed including the amount of healthy tooth remaining. An x-ray may be taken to assess the nerve health and gum support.

The procedure itself is quite similar to that of getting a filling and a crown. The key difference is that less of the natural tooth structure is removed than what would be when getting your tooth prepared for a crown. When being fitted for a crown, the dentist may remove a fair amount of the healthy tooth structure in order to get a good fit beneath the crown. When the inlay or onlay is used, the goal is to preserve as much of the natural structure of the tooth as is possible.

Once the procedure begins, the tooth and the gum surrounding the tooth will be numbed using a local anaesthetic. Once numb, the decay will be removed, and any damage or irregularities will be smoothed out.  An impression of the tooth will be made so that the inlay or onlay can be milled at the laboratory. A temporary filling will be used to protect the tooth.

The inlay or onlay will look wonderfully natural once it has been bonded in place as it is made using a tooth-coloured ceramic or composite. When you return to the clinic, it will be permanently bonded to your tooth.

Tooth restorations don’t require special care over the usual care that you’d give to your natural teeth. You should ensure that you are brushing, flossing and using a mouth rinse to help keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

Be sure to also stick with scheduling your routine checkups and professional cleanings.