Inlays and onlays are both restorations that are used to repair a damaged tooth (usually a back tooth or molar) and are used as durable and attractive alternatives to standard fillings and crowns. Inlays and onlays are similar restorations but cover different sections of a tooth. They are one-piece, custom fitted dental restorations that are fabricated from high-strength material to be able to withstand everyday use, such as biting and chewing. When properly cared for, these dental restorations can last for decades.

If you are currently experiencing failing restorations, an inlay or onlay may be a better alternative. We would love for you to call our office at (916) 961-1610 or request an appointment through our website to come in and have us take a look at your current situation.

You can think of a dental inlay or onlay as being midway between a filling and a crown. Inlays or onlays 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.

About Inlays and Onlays

Unlike fillings or dental bondings, inlays and onlays must be fabricated, and then bonded to enamel. Inlays refer to restorations that are bonded to the inner cusps of teeth. Onlays are set across a tooth’s biting surface and extend over the cusps. An inlay is used when the damage is confined to the biting surface, whereas an onlay is used for more substantial areas of injury that affect the outer tooth surfaces. Both types may be recommended to replace old, worn, or amalgam fillings that have become unserviceable.

The Inlay and Onlay Procedure

Step one, Dr. Trubschenck will remove any old tooth filling or clear out any decay from the tooth. Next, the tooth is prepared by removing a small amount of enamel. An impression of the tooth is created and then used to fabricate the customized restoration. Now and then it is necessary to send an onlay to a fabrication lab. During the interim a temporary restoration will be installed. Upon the lab's completion of the final restoration the patient will return to have it bonded in place. Inlays or onlays can be made of gold, composite resin (plastic) or ceramics. They can last for decades. However, how long they last depends on the material used, the teeth involved, the forces of chewing and how well the patient maintains them with good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist.

The final cost of a dental inlay or onlay can depend on many factors. Generally, the larger the restoration, the more costly things can get but inlays and onlays are an affordable restoration that will last a very long time. In situations where a less expensive restoration is used where an inlay or onlay was preferred, the non-preferred restoration will usually fail and either have to be re-done and can even cause more damage than it originally created leading to an even more expensive future restoration. It is very important to not let the costs of any dental restoration get in the way of the total benefits they can offer.

Because everyone's condition is unique, we prefer you to request an appointment with our office and come in so we can check things out.