An
inlay is similar to a filling
and lies inside the cusp
tips of the tooth. They
are custom-made to fit the
prepared cavity and are
then cemented into place.
An onlay is a more extensive
reconstruction that covers
one or more cusps of a tooth.
Onlays are indicated in
situations where a substantial
reconstruction is required.
However, more of the tooth
structure can be conserved
compared to the placement
of a crown.
To repair damage to the
tooth’s biting surface,
rather than using a simple
filling, or a crown, a dentist
will often use an inlay,
or an onlay. Inlays and
onlays can be made from
porcelain, gold, or composite
resin, although porcelain
is now becoming the material
of choice because of its
strength and potential to
match the natural color
of your tooth.
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To
repair damage involving
over of the tooth’s biting
surface, rather than using
a simple filling, or a crown,
a dentist will often use
a porcelain inlay or onlay.
An inlay is similar to a
filling and lies inside
the cusp tips of the tooth;
an onlay is a more extensive
reconstruction that covers
one or more cusps of a tooth.
Inlays and onlays are both
traditionally made of gold;
however, now, porcelain
is becoming the material
of choice because of its
strength and potential to
match the natural color
of your tooth.
Inlays and onlays are applied
in two dental visits. At
the first visit, your old
filling, or decay, is removed,
and the tooth is prepared
for the inlay / onlay. Our
dental specialist will then
make an impression of the
tooth, and send this impression
to our dental technician.
This impression will be
used by our technician to
construct, a porcelain inlay
/ onlay that will fit exactly
into your tooth. At this
time our dental specialist
will place a temporary sealant
on your tooth and schedule
a second appointment
At the second visit, your
temporary sealant is removed.
Our dentist will then ensure
that the inlay / onlay fits
properly in the tooth and
does not interfere with
your bite. Once correctly
fit, the inlay / onlay is
bonded into the tooth with
a strong bonding resin,
and polished smooth.
Typically fillings can reduce
the strength of the tooth
by up to 50%. Inlays and
onlays, however, because
they are bonded directly
into the tooth with special
resins, can actually increase
the strength of the tooth
by up to 75%; as a result,
they can last from 10-30
years, and in some cases,
provide a good alternative
to a crown.
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Clinical
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