Porcelain Inlays / Onlays

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

Advances in dental technology have made it possible to maintain a beautiful smile even when you have dental cavities. Today you have options such as tooth colored fillings or dental inlays or onlays to fill cavities with materials that match the color of your teeth. At Dr. Maya Dental Center, our goal is to make your restored teeth look as natural as possible, and porcelain dental inlays and onlays is the best method we use to meet that goal. The result is a virtually invisible dental restoration.

Dental inlays are used when a tooth is decayed or damaged (cracked or fractured) within the tooth cusps.

When the decay or damage affects one or more of the tooth cusps (ridges) and an outside tooth surface, onlays are necessary. They are a step between a filling and a tooth crown.

How Dental Inlays and Onlays are Created

Dental inlays and onlays are typically made in a dental laboratory to the exact specifications of your tooth. The cosmetic dentist will carefully remove the entire decayed portion of the tooth and then make an impression of it to send to the laboratory. The porcelain is matched to the exact shade of your tooth so the restoration blends flawlessly.

While waiting for your custom dental inlay or onlay, which may take a week, we will provide you with a temporary restoration to protect your tooth and allow you to chew comfortably and safely. Once the custom restoration has arrived, you return to the office to have it checked for perfect fit and cemented into place.

Advantages of Dental Inlays and Onlays

Your teeth are made stronger, not weaker
More of your natural tooth can be preserved
They are more durable
They do not expand and contract with cold or hot foods and therefore will not crack the teeth
They are natural-looking