Inlays and Onlays
What are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are restorations made for rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. Made out of porcelain or gold, an inlay sits in a hole inside the tooth and an onlay sits on top of the tooth to build up it's shape.
Inlays and overlays are an upgrade over white fillings as both materials are stronger with gold being the strongest. They are hand crafted by experienced technicians to fit accurately into your tooth.
When would I need an Inlay or an Onlay?
If you have a cracked or fractured tooth where the damage is too much for a white filling, yet not severe enough to require a dental crown, then you may be advised that an inlay or an onlay is your most suitable treatment option. Made of either porcelain or gold, inlays and onlays are stronger, and also more biocompatible, than any other filling material.
Inlay treatment carrried out at Academy Dental Care:
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Before Dental Inlays |
After Dental Inlays |
In the images above, the old amalgam fillings of this patient were broken and the teeth badly decayed. The new inlay, introduced by our dentist at Academy Dental Care, has produced a strong, natural-looking result.
Overlay treatment carrried out at Academy Dental Care:
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Before Dental Overlays |
After Dental Overlays |
A porcelain overlay can be used to protect a weak tooth by covering all of the biting surface. This natural-looking overlay treatment is evident in the Academy Dental Care treatment above.
Created from tooth-coloured materials, inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal fillings for patients who desire a more natural looking smile.
Benefits of Dental Inlays and Onlays
Used to treat tooth decay, inlays and onlays help to eliminate tooth sensitivity and the risk of eventual tooth loss. Inlays and onlays also offer the benefits listed below:
• Made from tooth-coloured material - inlays and onlays blend in to the natural colour of your surrounding teeth.
• Less sensitivity - unlike metal fillings, inlays and onlays will not expand or contract in response to temperature changes caused by hot or cold foods diminishing the possibility of fracture and sensivity.
• Requiring less tooth reduction than metal fillings - inlays and onlays conserve more of your natural tooth structure.
• Long lasting - the durable material from which inlays and onlays are made helps them last, on average, up to 15 years, considerably longer than that traditional amalgam fillings.
• By saving decayed teeth, inlays and onlays prevent the need for more extensive treatment later on.
Any questions about inlays or onlays?
If you have any questions or would like any further information about inlays and onlays, please call a friendly member of our reception team on 01276 33363 or click here to book a consultation with a member of our team.
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