esthetic and enduring alternative!

An inlay/onlay is similar to a filling, restoring normal tooth anatomy by filling in a cavity created by decay or trauma. They are solid; a one-piece laboratory-created filling that is cemented into or onto the tooth.

Certain conditions must exist for an inlay/onlay to be successful. They are used when not enough tooth structure remains to support a filling, but the tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown to completely cover it. An inlay lies inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay, which is similar to an inlay is extended to cover the entire chewing surface thereby protecting cusps from fracture, may be the best alternative yet. Inlays and onlays have traditionally been made of metal alloy; however, porcelain is now becoming the material of choice because of its strength. Also the porcelain restorations are tooth colored and match the remaining tooth structure.

Inlay & Onlay vs. Fillings & Crowns

• Silver amalgam fillings make teeth appear gray.
• Old composite bondings tend to chip and discolor over time. Inlays/Onlays are fabricated out of porcelain, the non-porous material that will never fade or discolor.
• Typically fillings can reduce the strength of the tooth by up to 50%. Inlays and onlays, however, because they are bonded directly into the tooth with special resins, can actually increase the strength of the tooth by up to 75%.
• In some cases they provide a good alternative to a crown because the inlay/onlay is a more conservative procedure. These dental restorations require removal of less tooth structure. As a result, they will sustain their natural beauty for a long time.
  
  
  

INLAY/ONLAY PREPARATION
Inlays and onlays are applied in two visits. At the first visit, the old filling, or decay, is removed and the tooth is prepared. Then an impression of the tooth is taken, and sent to a dental laboratory. A temporary filling is placed in your tooth. At the second visit, the temporary filling is removed and the restoration is fitted and adjusted to fit your bite. Once correctly fit, the inlay/onlay is bonded into the tooth with a strong bonding resin, and polished smooth.

Ceramic Onlay

Before & After

In the following cases one may observe that metal-free tooth-colored porcelain inlays/onlays have replaced pre-existing silver and gold restorations.