Inlays & Onlays
Restore Your Smile with Inlays & Onlays
An inlay, often referred to as an "indirect filling," is a great option for repairing a tooth that’s too damaged to support a traditional filling but doesn’t require a full crown. At Sunrise Dental Center, we typically recommend inlays for teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or have mild to moderate decay. Like all of our restorations, inlays and onlays are custom-shaded to seamlessly blend with your natural smile.
Inlays provide greater strength than traditional fillings, allowing a tooth to retain up to 75% of its original strength, compared to just 50% with regular fillings. This added strength significantly boosts the longevity of your restored teeth.
When more than half of a tooth’s biting surface is compromised, a dentist may opt for an inlay or onlay. These restorations, made from materials like porcelain, gold, or composite resin, are designed to fit and bond to the affected area. An inlay fits within the tooth’s cusps, much like a filling, while an onlay covers one or more cusps. Although gold has been a traditional choice for inlays and onlays, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its durability and ability to blend naturally with your teeth.
How Are Inlays and Onlays Installed?
The installation of inlays and onlays typically involves one or two visits to the dentist. During the first appointment, the dentist removes any old filling or damaged portion of the tooth and prepares it for the inlay or onlay. Afterward, an impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab for fabrication. A temporary sealant is applied, and a follow-up appointment is scheduled.
At the second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary sealant and checks the fit of the inlay or onlay. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth using a durable resin. The restoration is then polished to achieve a smooth, natural-looking finish.
Factors to Consider for Inlays and Onlays
Compared to traditional fillings, inlays and onlays offer a superior solution for preserving the integrity of natural teeth. Bonded directly to the tooth with strong resins, inlays and onlays can increase tooth strength by up to 75%. Thanks to their durability, they can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Onlays are particularly beneficial when tooth damage doesn't warrant the need for a full dental crown, offering a more conservative approach to restoration.