Inlays and Onlays
Patients who have suffered from tooth decay or trauma to their teeth could be ideal candidates for inlay and Onlay replacements to improve the appearance of their smile, as well as to create a stronger tooth.
Developed as an alternative to full coverage dental crowns, the more conservative Inaly/Onlay restoration is fabricated from a moulded impression of the broken tooth then cemented to the remains of the tooth during a second visit.
As a temporary solution to the problem in between appointments, patients are often fitted with a provisional Inlay or Onlay in the shape of the final fitting to ensure protection and prevent tooth sensitivity for the individual.
Patients who select the Inlay/Onlay restoration option are able to pick from Gold, Porcelain, Zirconium or Composite resin materials when choosing the fixture, which may benefit image-conscious individuals seeking a natural-looking solution to their dental issues.
For those patients who wish to have ceramic Inlays and Onlays in a single visit, we also offer CEREC Inlays and Onlays at Pearl dental clinic.
Inlays and Onlays Videos
Inlay
The broken or decayed tooth is prepared.
An Inlay is made and fitted to the tooth.
White or Gold inlays are available.
Onlay
Depending on the extent of the repair required sometimes the full top surface of the tooth is removed.
A Full Onlay is then produced to replace the biting surface.
Gold is generally the optimum material for broken upper molars at the back of the mouth where appearance may not be a priority. Gold inlays & onlays are very strong and very rarely fracture. Zirconium, porcelain & resin Inlays & Onlays are all tooth coloured and are normally used for areas that may be spotted when patients smile or laugh.
Dental patients who grind their teeth during the night and may have a misaligned bite as a result are usually recommended to select the Inlay/Onlay produced from Gold or Zirconium materials as an alternative to the more aesthetic porcelain and resin types. Gold & Zirconium Inlays/Onlays are very strong and very rarely fracture.
Following the Inlay/Onlays attachment to the damaged tooth, the dentist will polish the restoration margins to ensure comfort for the patient through the smooth feel of the inlay or onlay. As inlays & onlays are mostly polished in the laboratory, they generally feel very smooth to the tongue.
Inlays and Onlays are a conservative procedure and considerably less invasive than dental crowns, which could provide aesthetic benefits for self-conscious patients. In addition, the fixture provides a degree of protection for the tooth, allowing up to 75 per cent more chewing force.
Patients may also find the custom-made nature of inlays and onlays significantly more effective than older methods of reconstruction, due to the comfortable and natural feel of the fixture.
As well as this, the treatment has been found to provide more functional longevity than simple white/silver filling methods used to treat similar dental issues due to the method used by dental professionals to physically bond the Inlay/Onlay to the damaged tooth.
As Inlays and Onlays are made inside a laboratory, there is also a lower risk of saliva contamination during their attachment to the tooth that can occur with simple white fillings. This increases the longevity of Inlays and Onlays as there is less risk of marginal leakage around these restorations.
The fitting of Porcelain inlays and onlays could also have a lasting effect on the smile due to the limited probability of discolouring compared with previously used direct one stage white fillings that can stain much more easily.
Cleaning worries could be a thing of the past following the procedure due to the smooth finish provided by dentists carrying out the treatment. With no need to worry about sharp edges affecting the tongue, patients can use simple yet effective methods such as brushing and flossing to keep their breath fresh and teeth gleaming.
Alternative solutions, such as white fillings, often shrink and can become misshapen during the fitting process, which could limit the effectiveness of the solution. For example the contact between a large white filling and the neighboring teeth may be less than ideal and allow food to trap between the filling and the neighboring tooth and cause gum irritation. However, the precise fit of inlays and onlays ensures that patients can reap the rewards of the procedure with only two visits to the dentist.
As Inlays and Onlays are made indirectly in the laboratory and outside the mouth, the laboratory technician has a chance to shape and polish these restorations to their ideal shape and polish and also cure them completely so that no further shrinkage happens once they are fitted to the tooth. This massively reduces the risk of tooth sensitivity that often occurs following the restoration of a tooth with a deep white filling.
Anxious individuals worried about the pain of the daunting procedure could be reassured to hear that local anesthetic is used throughout the treatment. Following the completion of the treatment, any temporary sensitivity can usually be resolved using over-the-counter painkillers. At Pearl dental clinic we provide the Wand painless injections for any patient who wishes to have a painless dental injection at no additional cost.
The cost of the Inlays and Onlays differs based on the size of the restoration and the experience of the laboratory technician and the dentist carrying out the treatment. In addition, patients opting for porcelain fixtures created by more skilled technicians may be expected to pay more for the best possible cosmetic results.
Inlays & Onlays generally cost more than white fillings but on average they do last longer than white fillings and so in the long term may be more cost effective and involve fewer visits to the dentist.
There have been significant advancements with the introduction of modern technology in order to more effectively carry out the procedure. Materials used to create inlays and onlays have changed considerably in recent years. However we predict the functional longevity and natural feel of the current Inlays & Onlays may not be bettered for some time.
Finding an appropriately qualified practitioner to carry out the procedure is vital to the effectiveness of Inlays and Onlays. As a result, prospective patients looking to undergo cosmetic dentistry are urged to seek out the most experienced dentist to carry out the procedure.
Our Practice is open seven days a week from 8am till 11pm. You can book a consultation with one of our experienced dentists by calling 0208 547 9997 or emailing us for further information or to arrange a consultation.
