What are dental inlays and onlays?

Dental inlays and onlays are gold, composite, or porcelain materials used to repair moderately damaged or decayed teeth. Dentists use dental inlays and onlays to restore a tooth that is too damaged to repair with a filling but not damaged enough to need a crown. Dental inlays and onlays save the healthy portion of an injured tooth and provide strength and stability for normal chewing.Your dentist wants to help you keep your existing teeth, so if they find that your tooth doesn’t necessarily need a crown, a dental inlay or onlay may be suggested as the best treatment option. But what can you expect during a dental inlays and onlays procedure? This article will help you understand the process.

Why choose inlays or onlays?

·       They're ideal for reconstructing the shape of your tooth.

·       They create a more natural biting shape than a filling

·       They remove less natural tooth structure than a crown.

What is the Procedure for an Inlay?

As with any treatment, an examination or consultation is required. The dentist first needs to look at the tooth in question and discuss the different treatment options with you.

When considering an inlay or onlay, an X-ray is needed to check the following things:

Has it been root filled? If yes, the success of this must also be assessed.

Note. If a tooth has had a root canal, then it is generally best restored by a full coverage crown

(A full coverage inlay/onlay is a viable alternative.)

Are there any signs of infection around the end of the root indicating the tooth needs a root canal treatment?

How does the periodontal support of the tooth look?

What is the extent of the decay, if there is any? Is the tooth restorable? If the decay or cariesextends deep under the gum, the tooth may not be able to be saved and need an extraction

How close it gets to the nerve chamber is also important in predicting future problems and deciding whether or not to perform a root canal. Special tests will also help in determining the most appropriate treatment.

The actual procedure for an inlay/onlay takes two appointments unless a CEREC machine is being used to fabricate it, whilst you are in the chair. The first appointment to prepare the tooth tends to take a little longer (about an hour) than the second appointment (to cement it in). 

What is the Difference Between Inlays and Onlays?

Before you head into a dental inlays and onlays procedure, it’s important to first understand the difference between an inlay and an onlay. Dental inlays and onlays offer similar benefits and are both excellent alternatives to dental crowns. The only major difference between the two is that each option covers different parts of a tooth.

Dental Inlays: These are fitted into grooves within the cusps of your teeth — almost like tooth fillings.

Dental Onlays: Onlays are used when decay or damage is more extensive and replace the chewing surfaces of teeth.

Types of dental inlays and onlays ?

Dental inlays and onlays can be made of the following materials:

Composites (resins) include powdered glass-like material and acrylics. Composite inlays and onlays are more cosmetically pleasing than metal because they match the tooth’s color.

Metal, typically gold, but other metals may be used as well. Dentists may use metal inlays or onlays in back teeth, or molars, because of metal’s strength and durability. Today, gold is used less often than in the past because it is less cosmetically pleasing than other types of inlays and onlays.

Porcelain matches the tooth’s color.

At the Side Dental Clinic, Dentist Ahmet Tosunoğlu will explain the treatment in detail.

Aftercare for Dental Inlays and Onlays ?

Following your procedure you may experience tissue sensitivity around your tooth. This should be minimal and only last one or two days. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be all you need to find relief. Your dentist should also provide detailed aftercare instructions which may include the following:

Avoid hot and cold beverages and sticky foods while you’re still numb or experiencing sensitivity.

Pay close attention to your bite. If your tooth doesn’t feel right or your bite feels off, contact your dentist right away to avoid possible complications.

Once numbness or soreness subsides, take care of your new inlay or onlay just as you would the rest of your teeth. Avoid chewing on overly hard or sticky foods to prevent damage or cracks, brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and see your dentist for regular teeth cleanings and exams. Doing so will allow you to enjoy your inlay or onlay for many years.