Inlays and Onlays
At Viva Dental, we offer inlays or onlays if you have a larger filling, or perhaps a broken corner (cusp) on a tooth. These restorations are often an excellent alternative to complete crowns as they conserve more of your natural tooth structure. Let’s talk about what inlays and onlays are about, and whether it’s right for you!
In dentistry, inlays and onlays are a so-called indirect restoration which means a single, solid piece of gold or porcelain is made outside of the mouth in a specific size and shape to fit your tooth and then cemented into place in the tooth. This is an alternative to a “direct restoration” or filling made directly in the mouth out of white filling material or amalgam. They are designed to conservatively strengthen your tooth to avoid the need for a crown.
The advantages of inlays or onlays over crowns are:
- Less natural tooth structure is removed!
- Prevent further breakdown of a compromised tooth
- Potentially less risk of root canal procedure
- Porcelain inlays/onlays are very natural looking
Some
disadvantages
include:
- Porcelain inlays/onlays are not as strong as some other crown types and can potentially chip or break
- Porcelain onlays are not advisable for people who grind their teeth
- Gold inlays/onlays may be considered unaesthetic
- Potential metal allergy in some people with gold onlays
What to expect when you get an inlay or onlay
At your first appointment at Viva Dental Victoria, we will anesthetize the tooth being treated, remove the old filling if present and then prepare the tooth conservatively (1.5 to 2mm to be exact!) to create room for the porcelain or gold inlay or onlay. After carefully shaping the tooth, a 3D scan or impression of the tooth will be taken. This impression allows the lab ceramist to create a porcelain or gold inlay or onlay.
A temporary inlay or onlay is created, polished and cemented. You will wear the temporary restoration for about two weeks. During this time, you will want to be gentle with the tooth avoiding sticky and hard foods. If the temporary restoration dislodges, try to replace it as fast as possible, and call us for an appointment to re-cement or replace it. The purpose of temporary restorations is to protect the tooth, to keep the gums from rolling over the prepared margins of the tooth and to hold the other teeth around it in place.
At your second visit, you may be anesthetized again and the temporary restoration will be removed and the final porcelain crown will be placed for appearance and fit. The permanent inlay or onlay will be adhered with an adhesive cement, excess cement will be removed, and the bite will be assessed to ensure a comfortable fit.
Much like dental fillings, inlays and onlays may be sensitive to cold or biting for a few days but this is usually a temporary condition. Be sure to call us if you have ongoing sensitivity or if the bite feels “off”.