Inlays & Onlays

Superior Fit:  Inlays and onlays offer a conservative preparation that preserves as much healthy tooth as possible. They are a great choice if you have minimal to moderate tooth decay that extends into a flossing area, offering an excellent alternative to full coverage crowns.

Tooth Colour:  Boasting aesthetic longevity, inlays and onlays are not likely to discolour over time as tooth-coloured resin fillings often do.

Tooth Structure Safeguard:  Inlays and onlays preserve the maximum amount of healthy tooth structure while restoring decayed or damaged areas, helping to ensure functional longevity.

Easy Tooth Cleaning:  Because the fit is tailored at all edges and the preparation minimal, your tooth can be easier to clean than it would be with full coverage restorative alternatives such as a dental crown. Composite fillings can shrink during the curing process, whereas prefabricated porcelain or gold inlays and onlays will not (ensuring a precise fit).

Tight Space Fulfillments:  If you have a cavity between your teeth, consider an inlay rather than a direct composite filling. Inlays are better at sealing teeth to keep out bacteria; they are easy to clean, will not stain and offer exceptional longevity.

Strength and Stability:  Inlays and onlays are extremely stable restorative solutions for the treatment of decay. The superior fit and durable material make inlays and onlays a stable choice that can actually strengthen a damaged tooth. Weak Tooth Protector: An onlay can protect the weak areas of the tooth. The procedure does not require the complete reshaping of the tooth.

Typically, an inlay or onlay procedure is completed in two dental visits.

During your first visit, your dentist must prepare the damaged tooth. A moulded impression of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where an inlay or onlay is fabricated.

Inlays and onlays can be made from gold, porcelain or resin materials. The difference is in the appearance of the finished restoration. A fitted, provisional inlay or onlay (sometimes known as a temporary or “temp” for short) in the shape of the final restoration can be created during this visit to protect the tooth while the final restoration is being fabricated.

Your dentist might discuss with you the best type of inlay or onlay material to use. If aesthetics is not a concern (for example, with back molars), gold is the best option. Porcelain inlays and onlays offer the best aesthetics and are often used in the “smile line” areas. Resin materials may be the best option for people who grind their teeth and/or those with a misaligned bite (malocclusion).