Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair posterior (back) teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth and is intended for the back teeth where high forces are produced when chewing (back or posterior teeth). An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. They can also be used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a crown. Inlays and onlays were usually made from gold, nowadays they are also made of porcelain and composite resin materials. Inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal fillings for patients who desire a more natural looking smile because as they are a tooth-colored material virtually undetectable to the naked eye.
Since dental inlays and onlays can be made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain, they offer much more enduring and natural-looking results than metal fillings. In addition, their customized nature allows dentists to securely bond them to the tooth surface, adding structural integrity (up to 75%). Onlays also help to conserve more tooth structure because their use requires minimal removal a tooth’s surface. The most important benefit, however, is that, in saving damaged teeth, onlays help patients avoid the eventual need for more extensive treatment with crowns, bridges, or dental implants.
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Inlay and onlay placement is usually carried out over two appointments. During the first visit Dr Rauchwerger will prepare the tooth for the appropriate form and then an impression will be taken, and a temporary inlay/onlay will be placed over the tooth. The impression will be sent off to a dental lab, which will then create the new restoration to match your tooth's specifications. When you return for the second appointment, the temporary inlay/onlay will be removed and the permanent one will be carefully bonded/cemented over the tooth. |
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