Dental Tooth Inlays & Dental Tooth Onlays

 

 

 

Dental Tooth Inlays

 

Procedure Description:

Made of a strong, natural-looking material, such as porcelain or composite, inlays are used to restore inside the cusps of the tooth. A conservative tooth restoration that requires far less removal of tooth structure than its metal counterpart, an inlay increases tooth strength and provides enduring protection for the tooth.

 

How It's Done

If a cavity is detected in a dental exam, or if you have a failing metal filling, and the decay is inside the cusp of the tooth, an inlay can be used to restore the tooth to health. The dentist will first take an impression of the tooth, then send the impression to an outside lab. The lab will custom build the inlay to fit the patient's tooth exactly. The patient will be fitted with a temporary inlay in the interim.

 

When the lab returns the inlay to the dentist, he or she will remove the temporary restoration, and bond the permanent inlay to the tooth. The inlay becomes part of the tooth, splinting it together and making it stronger. There is no space between the inlay and the tooth, ensuring that bacteria can not enter and cause a cavity. The color and shading of the inlay should make the restoration invisible to the naked eye.

 

Technology:

No advanced technology is necessary to create a porcelain inlay.

 

Recovery Expectations:

Recovery from the preparation for the temporary inlays as well as the bonding of the final restoration are similar to that of having a cavity filled. The patient may experience some discomfort or tenderness in the area. Ibuprofen can reduce the symptoms.

 

Complications:

Complications associated with an inlay are few. If the cavity was particularly deep, there is a chance that the doctor may need to perform a root canal. The temporary may also come loose if a patient does not avoid sticky or hard foods, but that can be reseated quickly at the office.

 

Am I a Candidate:

 

If you have a cavity within the cusp of your tooth, or if you have a failing metal amalgam in the cusp of your tooth, you are a candidate for an inlay.

 

 

 

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Dental Tooth Onlays

 

Procedure Description:

Made of a strong, natural-looking material, such as porcelain, onlays are larger restorations, extending over one or more sides of your tooth, and can be used similar to a crown or cap. A conservative tooth restoration that requires far less tooth removal than its metal counterpart, an onlay increases tooth strength and provides enduring protection for the tooth.

Unlike metal fillings, an onlay can often be used to repair only the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact.

 

How It's Done

If a cavity is detected in a dental exam, or if you have a failing metal filling or crown, and the decay extends beyond the cusp of the tooth, an onlay will be used to restore the tooth to health. The dentist will first take an impression of the tooth, then send the impression to an outside lab. The lab will custom build the onlay to fit the patient's tooth exactly. The patient will be fitted with a temporary inlay in the interim.

 

When the lab returns the onlay to the dentist, he or she will remove the temporary restoration, and bond the permanent onlay to the tooth.

 

Technology:

Typically no advanced technology is necessary to prepare and place an inlay.

 

Recovery Expectations:

Recovery from the preparation for the temporary onlays as well as the bonding of the final restoration are similar to that of having a cavity filled. The patient may experience some discomfort or tenderness in the area. Ibuprofen can reduce the symptoms.

 

Complications:

While complications from an inlay are unlikely, it is possible that the tooth preparation may take the dentist very close to the nerve of the tooth. This may result in some sensitivity, and may disturb the nerves so that a root canal is required.

 

Am I a Candidate:

If you have a cavity that extends beyond or over the cusp of your tooth, or if you have a failing metal amalgam or crown that covers one or more cusp(s) of your tooth, you are a candidate for an onlay.