Inlays and onlays are restorations that are used to repair teeth with mild to moderate decay. They are most commonly used for teeth that have damage that is beyond what can be treated with a traditional filling but not enough damage to warrant a full dental crown.
Dr. Spaska Malaric is dedicated to providing our patients with healthy and beautiful smiles. At Alliance Dental, we specialize in high-quality, natural-looking restorations. With inlays and onlays, we can preserve the original structure of a damaged tooth. They are also extremely durable and help prevent further decay or damage.
A dental inlay is applied by covering the center of a tooth between the grooves or cusps. This technique is used only for teeth that have damage in the central portion of the chewing surface. Dental inlays are very durable in comparison to traditional amalgam fillings.
Dental onlays cover more area in comparison to inlays. They are recommended when the damage or decay affects at least one of the cusps or points of the tooth. Your tooth may be a candidate for an onlay if it is too weak to sustain a filling. The process of placing a dental onlay is the same as a dental inlay.
To place inlays and onlays, it usually takes two appointments. The first appointment is dedicated to taking an impression of the damaged tooth. Using this impression, your custom-made inlay or onlay will be created in a dental lab. During your second appointment, we will apply your restoration to your tooth.
Dental inlays and onlays are excellent restoration options for teeth that have mild to moderate damage or decay. If you would like to learn more about our restorative options, contact our dental office at (239) 939-2433 to schedule an appointment today!
