Inlays

Some teeth need complete or partial coverage to protect them. Pieces of a tooth may have broken off, an existing filling may be too big, or too much decay may exist for a filling to placed. In any of these instances, an inlay or onlay may be applied.

Inlays and onlays are restorative pieces that replace the lost or damaged structure of a tooth. Unlike crowns, they conserve more of your natural tooth. They can be made from porcelain, gold, or composite resin. Porcelain and composite resin inlays and onlays can be colour-matched to your own teeth, producing a natural-looking result.

How are inlays and onlays placed?

Inlay and onlay application is similar to that of a crown. After numbing the area and cleaning away any decay and old fillings, your dentist will take an impression of the damaged tooth or teeth and send it to a dental lab, where the inlay or onlay is created. To protect the affected teeth until the piece arrives, your dentist will apply a temporary restoration.

When the inlay or onlay arrives from the lab, the temporary piece is removed and replaced with the permanent one. After your dentist verifies that the fit is correct, he or she will apply a resin adhesive to bond it to your tooth. The treatment is completed with a gentle polish to give you a result that is comfortable to wear and aesthetically pleasing.