Dental Inlays and Onlays for a smile of confidence

Dental inlays are efficient substitutes for fillings and involve a more complex procedure. The purpose of a dental inlay is to restore the top surface of a tooth which has been damaged. A dental inlay treatment is most often applied for filling gouges or chips in teeth.

How are dental inlays made?

A dental inlay treatment requires two appointments. First, the damaged tooth is properly cleared and shaped in such a fashion that no infections or bacteria remain. Then, our dentists make an impression of the tooth and place a temporary inlay in order to protect it until the next visit. This way the dentist can be certain that it suits the tooth's original shape. The impression is sent to a laboratory where the dental inlay is created so that it matches the tooth. At the final appointment, the permanent dental inlay is applied.

What is a dental onlay?

Dental onlays are applied when decay affects one or more of the teeth's cusps and the damage is more severe. This way, the need for a dental crown, dental bridge or a dental implant can be avoided. One of the greatest benefits of a dental onlay is that most of the tooth keeps it's natural form. When applying a dental onlay the same procedure is used as in a dental inlay.

What is the most common inlay – onlay material ?

When it comes to your teeth's appearance you want them to look as natural as possible. For this reason we use porcelain onlays – the dental onlay is prepared in such a manner that there is no noticeable difference between your natural tooth color and the dental onlay. The dental porcelain is also available for dental inlays.

Porcelain inlays and onlays strengthen your teeth's structure by up to seventy five percent and can also be used to replace older metal fillings.

Dental inlays are considered one of the most efficient treatments if you would like to save decayed teeth from being extracted. In addition, you are guaranteed that porcelain inlays and onlays will last for up to 30 years.