Dental inlays and onlays are two treatment options that can be used when restoring decayed or broken teeth. They provide an esthetic restoration that restores strength and optimal function to a tooth.

What is an Inlay?

An inlay is a large high-strength ceramic restoration that is designed to restore the chewing surfaces of a tooth but not the cusps. Inlays are used to repair and restore teeth that have sustained serious damage as a result of injury or decay without affecting the cusps of the tooth. Inlays are preferred when the damage is extensive enough that a conventional filling like amalgam or composite would only compromise the structural integrity of the tooth.

What is an Onlay?

An onlay is a large high-strength ceramic restoration which restores the chewing surfaces plus one or more cusps of a tooth. This is done to preserve and protect the remaining healthy tooth structure. As with inlays, onlays are recommended when decay or fractures cannot best be treated by a conventional filling. This usually happens when a cuspal fracture occurs and affects the outside walls of a tooth.

What About a Crown?

Inlays and onlays are used in molars or premolars, when the tooth has experienced too much damage to support a basic filling. When there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining, an inlay or onlay is the most conservative treatment option. When a tooth has been more significantly damaged, a crown is recommended to protect and restore the tooth. With several dental restoration options available, we can help you choose the treatment that is the best solution for your tooth.

How are Inlays/Onlays Done?

Dental inlays and onlays are completed in a two appointment procedure.

The first visit focuses on preparing the damaged tooth for an inlay or onlay restoration, An impression of the teeth and a record of how they bite together will be taken and sent to our ceramic laboratory where a custom-made inlay or onlay is fabricated. The tooth will be fitted with a temporary restoration to protect it while the inlay or onlay is being made. During the second visit, the temporary restoration is removed and the inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth.

With proper oral hygiene, inlays and onlays can last for many years . Proper oral hygiene habits prevent cavities from recurring and damaging treated teeth, so it’s important to maintain an oral care routine at home and to visit us regularly.

Why Choose Horizon Dental?

Horizon Dental is committed to providing our patients with a wide array of dental restoration solutions , including inlays and onlays. Our goal is to restore teeth to their optimum health so they can function normally and comfortably for many years to come.

To learn more about dental inlays and onlays, call Horizon Dental at 905-475-5673 or contact us here.