Dental Inlays and Onlays at DHCA

Restore Your Smile

Our professional team are highly-experienced within many forms of restorative dentistry, helping patients to overcome common dental concerns to achieve a more beautiful and confident smile. Just two of these restorative dental services are known as inlays and onlays.

Just like fillings, inlays and onlays are used to repair a damaged tooth or to prevent the further spread of tooth decay. The main difference, however, is that inlays and onlays generally cover more of the tooth’s surface area. An onlay can cover the entire biting surface of the tooth (much like a crown), while an inlay will be placed in between the cusps of the tooth (i.e. at the centre of the tooth’s surface).

The Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

The development of new dental techniques and materials has paved the way for stronger, more natural-looking tooth restorations. With traditional amalgam fillings losing their popularity, other forms of restorative dentistry, such as inlays and onlays, have become more commonplace. Both of these procedures pose many benefits for patients, including the fact that they are made with tooth-coloured, composite material, allowing them to blend-in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Along with looking great, inlays and onlays are also a less-invasive treatment (especially when compared to amalgam fillings), allowing less of the tooth’s natural structure to be removed during the preparation stage.

Inlays and onlays are durable, long-lasting, and less likely to discolour over time. In fact, when proper oral health and hygiene standards are maintained, a patient can expect them to last for up to 30 years.

How Are Inlays and Onlays Fitted?

Many dental practices still require patients to come in for two appointments to have their inlay or onlay fitted. However, at Dental Health Care Associates we pride ourselves on same-day inlays and onlays, thanks to our state-of-the-art dental technology.

Once your tooth is prepared and all the decay has been removed, we use our highly-advanced Ceramic Inlay machine to acquire a 3D computerised image of the area. Using computer software, along with your 3D image, your inlay or onlay is then designed on-the-spot while you sit back and relax in the chair.

This occurs as diamond coated milling instruments sculpt a solid block of ceramic, turning it into your desired inlay or onlay. This is then firmly bonded in place on your tooth, providing you with a strong, discreet, and durable restoration.