Inlays and onlays are restorative oral care treatments that are used to repair teeth that have undergone mild to moderate decay and damage, or teeth that are fractured or cracked. Their use is ideal in cases when a tooth is too damaged for filling to be used, but the damage is not severe enough to require the full coverage of a dental crown.
Inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as indirect restorations or fillings since they are made outside of the mouth in a dental lab.
Inlays and onlays are made using composite or porcelain. Dental inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying between the cusps or points of the teeth, while onlays are used to treat decay that reaches out to one or more cusps.
The placement of inlays and onlays usually takes two appointments. At your first visit, the infected or damaged tooth is cleaned to remove damage and decay. Then, we will take an impression of the tooth. A temporary inlay or onlay is placed on the affected tooth while the final one is prepared in a dental lab. During your next appointment, the temporary restoration is removed, and the permanent one is placed on the tooth using dental cement.
Restoring your teeth using inlays or onlays has a number of advantages. The tooth requires less preparation as compared to metal fillings. Also, unlike metal-based fillings, inlays and onlays do not expand or contract with changes in oral temperature while eating, making them highly resistant and durable. They can be used to create a natural-looking and healthy smile, as they are made to match the natural color of your teeth.
For more information, please contact our office for a consultation. You can call us at (916) 299-0499. Our practice is located at 1005 39th St. Sacramento , CA 95816.
