Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are ceramic restorations that are widely used for cosmetic and restorative purposes. Inlays specifically fill large cavities as an alternative to fillings, while onlays are referred to as half-crowns as they restore only the upper half of a severely worn out or damaged tooth.

What are the advantages of inlays and onlays?

• Inlays and onlays are made from dental-grade ceramic material. They can be customized in terms of color, contour, translucency, etc. to match the appearance of the natural teeth.
• Since they are custom-fabricated according to the shape of the teeth, they offer a perfect fit when bonded using dental adhesives. Also, the dentist makes sure they do not alter your bite.
• In the case of a large cavity, using composite or ceramic filling material to restore the decayed tooth may reduce the tooth's strength. It can also crack the tooth. But, placing an inlay will strengthen the tooth and keep it from breaking.
• Inlays and onlays are highly durable. Even with several years of usage, the wear on their surface is almost negligible.
• You will be able to bite and chew food as always with the restorations in place.

What is the procedure involved?

When you visit Avenue Dental for a consultation, our dentist will conduct a thorough diagnosis of your oral cavity and determine its severity. We may also take x-rays if required to get a better view of the underlying structure. The teeth will be cleaned, and a hand-held scanning tool will be used to scan the teeth and make a digital impression. It will be used as a reference for fabricating the restorations.

The restorations will be fabricated in a dental laboratory in a few days, after which the dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment. The teeth will be cleaned, and any tartar deposits adhered to the surface of the teeth will be removed by scaling. The etching solution is used to roughen the surface of the teeth so that the restoration will adhere to it well. Photosensitive adhesives will be used for bonding it and hardened using a curing light. A bite test will be done to ensure perfect fit and comfort, and the restoration will be polished.

To have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Pyle, please schedule an online appointment or call us at (765) 288-6121, and we will be happy to help.