What are Inlays and Onlays?

Restorative treatments are possibly the most useful and necessary of the dentistry field. They are needed due to physical damage that can suddenly occur or develop over time. These include worn enamel, chips, cracks, and cavities. Some of these issues can be corrected with inlays and onlays.

Inlays and onlays are indirect fillings. Like traditional direct fillings, they are used to fill in a hollow space in a tooth. However, whereas traditional fillings are created in the teeth, indirect fillings are first created, then placed. Inlays are fillings that go inside of the tooth, and onlays are those that are placed on the cusps, or top of the teeth. Our cosmetic dentist in Orange County will remove the decayed tissue, create a model of the affected tooth, and then place your custom porcelain restoration.

Patients and dentists alike prefer inlays and onlays to direct fillings for several reasons. Indirect fillings tend to fit better thanks to how they are made, and therefore require less follow up appointments to make adjustments for comfort. They also are known to be more durable and resilient, offering a more healthy restoration overall. 

If you require a dental filling, talk to our dentist about the possibility and benefits of inlays and onlays. 

Benefits of CAD/CAM Inlays and Onlays

CAD/CAM technology, or computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing, is now commonly used in many professional fields, including dentistry. This tech is used in many different procedures that take place in the dentist’s chair, one of which is the placement of inlays and onlays. These are typically used to replace old fillings. Inlays are similar to fillings placed on the inside of the tooth cusps, while onlays are placed on the surfaces. CAD/CAM tech used in conjunction with the placement of inlays and onlays means your restorative procedure will be a speedier, safer, and more efficient process.

Three Main Benefits

There are three main advantages of using CAD/CAM technology when getting an inlay or onlay. The process previously took more than one appointment. Your San Francisco dentist would need to take an impression of the area in question, which would then need to be sent to a lab for the restoration to be made. Now your inlays and onlays can be made right in the office and the procedure completed in just one appointment.

The outcome of the process is much more predictable than it used to be, thanks to these new resources. Your new restoration will likely require less modification both when first placed and later on as you are getting used to the filling. This means even fewer visits to the dental office overall.

The material used in CAD/CAM inlays and onlays also offers benefits. Your new restoration will be made of porcelain, typically safer than the previously used metal amalgam. This lessens the possibility of exposure to mercury, and best recreates the natural tooth.

When are Onlays Used?

Onlays are a tooth-restoration option that cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles use on a regular basis. In fact, the most well-known type of onlay is the dental crown. But while a dental crown covers the entire visible surface of the natural tooth, some onlays might only cover a portion of it, most commonly one or more of the cusps of a molar or premolar, the bumps which are used for grinding.

This is done in instances where a tooth needs added strength as a result of decay that has weakened it or a fracture has formed as a result of trauma or simple wear and tear. As a tooth-colored restoration option, they can also be used as a way to hide and fix other problems with teeth, including chips. These can even be used on front teeth, providing a natural-looking solution to unsightly problems.

Because onlays are made outside of the mouth, there is no concern about their changing sizes during the hardening process, which happens with metal and resin fillings. That changing of sizes, although minuscule, can create stress on a tooth. If the tooth is already weak, this could result in it breaking apart. Onlays avoid this problem altogether and act as a firm way to secure and strengthen the tooth.

To learn more about them, contact our expert in onlays in Los Angeles to schedule an appointment.

Inlays and Onlays for Dental Restorations

Dental inlays and onlays are an excellent alternative to traditional fillings and crowns. When a tooth is badly damaged, a conventional filling may not adequately restore the tooth and can sometimes lead to additional damage. However, dental crowns require extensive preparation, which can lead to the loss of healthy tooth structure. Inlays are often used to fill only the area of damage, but can be placed even when large areas of damage exist. Our Santa Clara dentist can help you decide if you are a candidate for an onlay or an inlay.

The two restorations are quite similar. An inlay is used to fill the cavity or damage on the chewing surface between the cusps. An onlay is used when one or more cusps are involved in the damage. For treatment, you will need two dental appointments to complete the process. At the first appointment, the diseased tissue will be removed and an impression will be taken. The impression is sent to the dental lab to make your new inlay or onlay. Once it is ready, it will be sent back to the dentist, who will then bond it to your tooth. These types of restorations can last just as long as crowns but require less preparation. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our Santa Clara dentist.