Inlays and Onlays

Inlays or onlays are a great alternative to crowns or fillings when your tooth or teeth are damaged.  An inlay is a prosthetic piece placed on the center of the tooth, where the bumpy bite area is located. These can also replace old, unattractive metal fillings to give your mouth a more aesthetic appearance.

An onlay is often used for larger areas, or when the decay or trauma is also located on the sides, or outside areas of the teeth.

Your dentist may refer to them as partial crowns or indirect fillings. This procedure aims to save the healthy part of the tooth, which is still intact, while constructing the removed part with composites, metal, or porcelain.

First, local anesthesia is injected into the gums near the damaged teeth. Next, the dentist will use a drill to remove bits of the tooth. A mold of the tooth will then be cast in order to achieve the perfect fit for your inlay or onlay

Once the prosthetic is created in a lab, the dentist will bond the piece to your teeth with special dental cement. He or she then polishes up your tooth to make sure your tooth isn’t getting in the way of your natural bite.

If you think you need a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown, schedule a consultation at our convenient location!