Inlays and Onlays

Most people will have heard of a filling, which is used to protect and repair a tooth that has suffered a mild degree of decay or damage.

Inlays and onlays fulfil the same purpose, except in cases where a more restorative solution is necessary.

When are inlays or onlays recommended?

• They’re suitable for cavities which may be too large for a traditional filling.
• When a tooth needs to be fortified beyond the capacities a filling can offer.
• When a tooth with a large chewing surface (back teeth such as premolars and molars) require treatment, an onlay is used.
• When an old filling, inlay or onlay has cracked.

How we can help

Step 1) Examining your tooth

We will start by closely examining the tooth that requires treatment and rule out other restorative treatments, such as a filling or a crown. During this first appointment, we will take an X-ray which indicates to your dentist if there is any structural damage to the bone beneath your tooth.

Step 2) Impression-taking

Impressions (which are essentially moulds of your tooth) are taken. These allow us to obtain specific measurements, which are passed onto our dental technician, who will then create your inlay or onlay to be an optimal size and shape for your tooth.

Step 3) Disinfecting your tooth

The decay affecting your tooth is removed, leaving you with a healthier tooth. We may give you a temporary inlay or onlay.

FAQs

Inlays, onlays, fillings and crowns – which is right for me?

Here’s how fillings, crowns and inlays and onlays compare:

• Fillings – These are the most basic restoration for repairing minor dental decay and damage.
• Inlays – Used when the cavity present is too substantial for a traditional filling. inlays are made to fit the exact size and shape of the cavity and placed using strong adhesive cement.
• Onlay – Onlays are more restorative than an inlay, but not quite as substantial as a crown. They cover the cusp of a tooth and like inlays, they’re made to in sit the shape of the cavity and bonded into place in your mouth.
• Crowns – Crowns fit over the entire surface area of a compromised tooth and are used where decay or damage has reached a serious stage.

What are the advantages of inlays and onlays?

Any treatment which treats the issue of decay is beneficial to the health of your mouth. Post-treatment, you can live with the peace of mind that your tooth will not suffer any further problems which could require a more involved procedure.

Inlays and onlays are made with a fantastic degree of accuracy, which means they reduce the possibility of gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. As a special curing light is used to set the inlay or onlay firmly in place, there is no risk of shrinkage in the future.

When your inlay or onlay is polished, it will bear the same smooth resemblance to a real tooth.

What type of materials are used to make my inlay or onlay?

The type of material used will largely depend on where the inlay or onlay will sit in your mouth. In the case of molars, Gold or Zirconium may be suggested, as these are extremely robust and resistant to teeth grinding.

For more visible teeth, we may be able to use porcelain or resin materials, which do a fantastic job of mimicking the appearance of real enamel.