Inlays and Onlays: Durable and Conservative Restorations at Schaefer Dental Group
There are times when a tooth suffers damage (from decay, for example) that is too extensive to be treated with a simple filling—but not extensive enough to need a full-coverage crown. In these cases, the best option for restoring the tooth may be an inlay or onlay.
Both inlays and onlays are considered “indirect” fillings, meaning that they are fabricated outside the mouth (generally at a dental laboratory), and then bonded to the tooth by the dentist. This is in contrast to a “direct” filling, which is applied directly to the cavity in one visit. An indirect filling is an “inlay” when it fits within the cusps (points) of a back tooth. It is an “onlay” if it covers one or more of these cusps. Schaefer Dental Group offers these conservative restorative options in Lansing, Michigan.
How the Procedure Works
Getting an inlay or onlay is very much like what you would experience having a crown placed, with one important distinction: less of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed by drilling when you receive an inlay or onlay. Since dentistry’s goal is to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, inlays and onlays may be recommended instead of crowns when a tooth can be restored with this more conservative treatment.
The procedure generally involves two visits:
Visit 1: Preparation and Impression
- The tooth and surrounding area are numbed with a local anesthetic.
- The decay is removed to prevent the infection from progressing deeper into the tooth.
- An impression of the prepared tooth is made (either digitally or with a putty-like material) and sent to the dental laboratory. The final restoration can be made out of gold or a tooth-colored ceramic or resin.
- Before you leave, a temporary filling will be attached to your tooth to protect it.
Visit 2: Permanent Placement
- The temporary filling is removed.
- The permanent inlay/onlay is attached to your tooth with either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source, or a type of permanent cement.
Inlays and onlays are strong, long-lasting, and require no greater level of care than any other tooth. Conscientious daily brushing and flossing, and regular professional cleanings at Schaefer Dental Group are all you need to make sure your restoration lasts for years to come.