At Pleasant Valley Dental, we are proud to offer dental inlays and onlays as a conservative and durable restorative dentistry option for patients with damaged or decayed teeth. When a tooth needs more support than a traditional filling can provide but does not necessarily require a full dental crown, an inlay or onlay may provide an excellent solution.
Our goal is always to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible while restoring the strength, appearance, and function of your smile. Dental inlays and onlays can help accomplish this by repairing the damaged portion of a tooth without covering the entire tooth with a crown.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, discomfort while chewing, a damaged filling, or visible damage to one of your teeth, our dental team can examine the area and determine which restorative treatment is appropriate for your individual needs.
What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
Dental inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations designed to repair areas of a tooth affected by decay, cracks, fractures, wear, or other damage. They are sometimes referred to as indirect restorations because they are created to precisely fit the prepared area of your tooth before being securely bonded into place.
Unlike a traditional dental filling, which is placed and shaped directly inside the tooth, an inlay or onlay is designed specifically for the shape and structure of the damaged tooth.
Inlays and onlays can be made from durable dental materials selected to provide strength while creating a natural-looking restoration. The appropriate material and treatment will depend on the location of the tooth, the extent of the damage, your bite, and other factors that your dentist will evaluate during your appointment.
What Is the Difference Between an Inlay and an Onlay?
The primary difference between a dental inlay and a dental onlay is the amount and location of the tooth that needs to be restored.
A dental inlay generally fits within the grooves of the chewing surface of a tooth and does not extend over the tooth’s cusps. It can be used when decay or damage is too extensive for a small filling but the surrounding tooth structure remains healthy and strong.
A dental onlay covers a larger area. In addition to restoring the central portion of the tooth, an onlay may extend over one or more cusps. Because of this additional coverage, onlays can provide extra support for teeth that have experienced more extensive damage.
Your dentist will determine whether an inlay, onlay, filling, crown, or another restorative treatment is most appropriate after carefully examining your tooth.
When Are Dental Inlays or Onlays Recommended?
There are several situations in which an inlay or onlay may be considered. Every patient’s needs are different, but these restorations may be recommended for teeth affected by:
- Moderate tooth decay
- Large or damaged fillings
- Cracks or fractures
- Worn tooth structure
- Damage to one or more tooth cusps
- Areas that require more support than a standard filling can provide
- Damage that does not require complete coverage with a dental crown
The best way to determine whether an inlay or onlay is right for you is to schedule a dental examination. We can evaluate the condition of your tooth and explain the available options for restoring it.
Dental Inlays and Onlays vs. Fillings
Traditional dental fillings remain an effective treatment for many cavities and smaller areas of tooth damage. However, when a significant portion of a tooth has been affected, placing a very large filling may not always provide the ideal amount of strength and support.
An inlay or onlay can offer an alternative by providing a custom restoration that is securely bonded to the remaining healthy tooth structure.
Because every restoration is different, we consider the amount of healthy tooth remaining, the location of the decay or damage, the forces placed on the tooth when you bite and chew, and your overall oral health before recommending a treatment.
Dental Inlays and Onlays vs. Crowns
A dental crown is designed to cover most or all of the visible portion of a damaged tooth. Crowns can be extremely useful for restoring teeth that have experienced significant structural damage, undergone certain procedures, or otherwise require extensive protection.
However, not every damaged tooth requires a full crown.
When enough strong, healthy tooth structure remains, a dental inlay or onlay may allow the dentist to restore only the affected area. This makes inlays and onlays a more conservative restorative option in appropriate cases.
Preserving natural tooth structure is an important part of modern restorative dentistry. Our team will carefully evaluate your tooth before recommending the treatment that provides an appropriate balance of conservation, durability, appearance, and function.
Benefits of Dental Inlays and Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays provide several potential benefits for patients who are good candidates for treatment.
Preservation of natural tooth structure: Because only the damaged portion of the tooth is treated, more healthy tooth structure may be retained compared with some full-coverage restorations.
Custom fit: Inlays and onlays are carefully designed to fit the specific shape of the prepared tooth.
Strength and durability: The restoration is securely bonded to the tooth and designed to withstand normal biting and chewing forces.
Natural appearance: Tooth-colored restorative materials can be selected to help the restoration blend with the surrounding tooth.
Improved function: Repairing a damaged tooth can help restore a comfortable and functional biting surface.
Protection of weakened areas: An onlay can provide additional coverage for weakened or damaged cusps when appropriate.
What Happens During the Inlay or Onlay Procedure?
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive examination of the affected tooth. We may use dental imaging when necessary to better understand the extent of decay or structural damage.
If an inlay or onlay is recommended, the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth is carefully removed and the tooth is prepared for its restoration.
Measurements or impressions are then used to create a restoration designed to fit your tooth accurately. Depending on your particular treatment process, a temporary restoration may be placed while the final inlay or onlay is being prepared.
Once the final restoration is ready, your dentist checks its shape, fit, and bite before bonding it securely to the tooth. Any necessary adjustments can be made to help ensure that your bite feels natural and comfortable.
We will also provide instructions for caring for your restored tooth following treatment.
How Long Do Dental Inlays and Onlays Last?
Inlays and onlays are designed to provide a durable restoration, but their lifespan can vary from patient to patient. Your oral hygiene habits, diet, bite, teeth grinding or clenching, the condition of the underlying tooth, and frequency of dental visits can all affect the longevity of a restoration.
Taking care of an inlay or onlay is similar to taking care of your natural teeth. Brush thoroughly at least twice each day, clean between your teeth regularly, and maintain routine dental examinations and professional cleanings.
It is also important to avoid using your teeth to open packages, bite extremely hard objects, or perform other activities that could damage either natural teeth or dental restorations.
If you grind or clench your teeth, especially while sleeping, tell your dentist. Depending on your situation, additional protection may be recommended.
Can an Inlay or Onlay Help With a Cracked Tooth?
In some cases, an onlay may be used to restore and reinforce a tooth that has experienced certain types of cracks or fractures. However, the appropriate treatment depends heavily on the location, depth, and severity of the crack.
Some cracked teeth may require a crown or another type of dental treatment. A severely damaged tooth may require more extensive care.
For this reason, it is important to have a cracked or painful tooth evaluated rather than attempting to determine the severity based on symptoms alone.
Signs That You May Need Restorative Dental Treatment
Tooth damage does not always cause severe pain immediately. Scheduling an evaluation when you first notice a problem may make it possible to address the tooth before additional damage develops.
Contact our dental office if you notice symptoms such as:
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- A loose, broken, or damaged filling
- Food repeatedly becoming trapped in a damaged tooth
- A visible cavity or dark area on a tooth
- Rough or sharp edges on a tooth
- Unexplained discomfort in a particular area of your mouth
These symptoms can have several possible causes, so a professional dental examination is important for determining the appropriate treatment.
Restoring Your Smile at Pleasant Valley Dental
At Pleasant Valley Dental, our restorative dentistry services are focused on helping patients maintain healthy, comfortable, and functional smiles. Whenever possible, we aim to preserve healthy natural tooth structure while addressing decay and damage before they become more extensive.
Dental inlays and onlays are just one of the restorative options that may be available. Depending on your needs, we may discuss fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, or other treatments as appropriate.
We believe patients should understand their dental care options before beginning treatment. Our team can explain what we find during your examination, why a particular restoration may be recommended, and what you can expect throughout the process.
Dental Inlays and Onlays in Lake Havasu City, AZ
If you are looking for dental inlays and onlays in Lake Havasu City, AZ, Pleasant Valley Dental is here to help. Whether you have recently damaged a tooth, have an older filling that needs attention, or have been told that you need restorative dental treatment, we can evaluate your smile and recommend an appropriate solution.
Addressing tooth decay and damage promptly can help protect the remaining healthy portion of your tooth and reduce the possibility of the problem becoming more extensive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Inlays and Onlays
Are dental inlays and onlays permanent?
Inlays and onlays are long-term dental restorations that are securely bonded to the tooth. Like fillings, crowns, and other restorations, they may eventually require repair or replacement depending on wear, oral hygiene, and other factors.
Is an onlay the same as a crown?
No. A crown generally covers most or all of the visible portion of a tooth. An onlay restores a more limited area and commonly extends over one or more cusps while preserving additional natural tooth structure.
Can an inlay be used instead of a filling?
In certain cases, yes. An inlay may be considered when a damaged or decayed area is larger than what is ideally treated with a small filling but does not require a crown.
Do inlays and onlays look natural?
Modern restorative materials can be selected to complement the appearance of your natural teeth. Your dentist will consider both function and appearance when planning your restoration.
How do I know which restoration I need?
A dental examination is necessary to determine the extent of the damage and the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining. Your dentist can then recommend whether a filling, inlay, onlay, crown, or another treatment is most appropriate.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have a damaged, cracked, worn, or decayed tooth, do not wait for the problem to become more uncomfortable. Dental inlays and onlays may provide a conservative way to restore the strength and function of your tooth while preserving healthy natural tooth structure.
For more information about dental inlays and onlays, restorative dentistry, or to request an appointment with Pleasant Valley Dental, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (928) 855-5159. Our team will be happy to help you determine the next step toward restoring and protecting your smile.