A smaller part of your tooth is removed than when getting a dental crown
Dental Fillings are among the most common type of dental restorations. However, when the cavity is too large or it cannot be restored with resin material, there are alternative procedures to repair and restore your teeth called Inlays and Onlays.
Inlays and Onlays are restorations fabricated in a dental laboratory that provide some significant advantages over fillings and dental crowns.
First of all, you are able to preserve more tooth structure than in a crown; and secondly, the restoration is stronger and tends to last longer than a regular composite resin filling.
Inlays and Onlays are a great substitute to fillings since they last longer, and they can work better than crowns as they preserve more of your tooth structure.
They are made at a dental lab and shaped by computer-aided systems, so they fit your tooth faultlessly
They are designed to match the exact shade and shape of your tooth, giving you a perfect looking smile
They require the usual dental care: brushing, flossing, regular checkups and avoid chewing hard foods.
They are cost-effective and most insurance plans typically cover these procedures
They are strong and durable
Inlays and Onlays involve a very similar procedure.
They differ in how much tooth structure is preserved.
When the cavity is too big and a simple filling can’t cover the damaged area, you could get an inlay. Inlays cover a cavity or space that does not involve the cusp (or chewing part) of your tooth.
Dental inlays are specifically made at a dental lab because they are shaped according to the cavity that needs to be repaired. You can choose between a gold inlay (more durable) or ceramic inlay (tooth colored).
After the tooth decay is removed, molds are taken and sent to the lab to be custom-made. Once ready, your dentist removes the temporary and the inlay is perfectly fit into the surface of the tooth that needs to be covered.
Like inlays, dental onlays are also specially prepared at a dental lab and are used when the restoration involves the cusp (or biting part) of your tooth.
A dental onlay requires less tooth preparation than a dental crown.
Similar to inlays, impression of your tooth are required. Following that, a custom made restoration will be created in a lab and delivered at a second appointment.
Both inlays and onlays are made and then cemented as a single piece to perfectly fit the part that needs to be restored.
Inlays & Onlays FAQ
Inlays and onlays are often covered by dental insurance plans. Depending on the type of plan you have, this coverage can be full or partial. Although inlays and onlays may cost more than regular fillings, they are much more stronger and durable. This means they are much more cost-effective. You should always ask your dental insurance about the extent of your coverage for this type of procedures to make a balance between benefits and costs.
The main difference between getting a crown and getting an inlay/onlay is that with a crown involves a larger part of your tooth being removed. This is because the crown covers the whole biting part of your damaged tooth, while the inlay/onlay covers a smaller portion of it. Prices also differ in these types of procedures, with crowns sometimes being more expensive than inlay or onlay.
In general, inlays and onlays are long-lasting restorations. If well taken care of, they could last 10-20 years, similar to crowns. The lifespan of an inlay or an onlay will highly depend on your oral care habits, your bite, and the quality of the dental work you get. Keeping good oral hygiene and regular checkups will definitely help your inlays and onlays last longer and maintain a good oral health.
You will typically need two office visits to get your inlay or onlay. On the first visit, Dr. Goetz will carefully remove the decayed part of your tooth and cover it temporarily until the inlay or onlay is custom-shaped at the dental lab. On your second visit, you will get the final restoration bonded to your tooth and get the natural looking smile you were waiting for.
Dr. Goetz will apply local anesthetics on the area. This way, you avoid feeling pain during the procedure. So you will probably not feel any pain during the inlay or onlay procedure, just a few seconds after the doctor delivers the anesthetic. It’s recommendable to take deep breaths, and try to stay calm. The team at Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics can help you relax further by using essential oils and other relaxation techniques to deal with any possible fears or feelings of anxiety.
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Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics is a dental office located in Delray Beach, Fl. specializing in prosthodontic treatments as well as general and cosmetic dentistry services. Dr. Nicholas Goetz and his team are thrilled for the opportunity to provide patients with the most advanced and comprehensive dentistry they deserve.
**Requested time is not final until you receive confirmation from our office. Please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI).
"*" indicates required fields