Inlays & Onlays
Strengthen the tooth and restore its shape.
Dr. Wagoner is committed to a minimally invasive approach to dentistry.
In many cases, we can avoid placing a full dental crown by using an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays can completely reverse damage caused by trauma or decay. Inlays and onlays are often called partial crowns because they strengthen the tooth and restore its shape. Instead of capping the entire tooth, an inlay or onlay is placed over only the affected areas. We ensure that our inlays and onlays look natural, and safeguard the tooth from further devastation.
What are inlays and onlays? What is the difference?
Inlays and onlays may be made with porcelain, gold, or composite resin. Like a dental filling, inlays and onlays are placed on the areas of the tooth that have broken down.
An inlay is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a little more extensive, and it extends out over one or more tooth cusps.
The inlay/onlay placement process
During the placement of your inlay or onlay, we will work hard to preserve the healthy parts of the tooth while still repairing the damage.
Inlays and onlays require two visits to our office for completion. During your first appointment, we will remove the previous dental work or decay, and prepare the tooth for the new restoration. We will create an impression of the tooth and send it to our dental lab. Dr. Wagoner will place a temporary restoration onto the tooth while you wait.
At your second appointment, we will remove the temporary restoration and check the fit of your new inlay or onlay. If it fits correctly and blends in with your natural smile, we will bond it to your teeth.
Benefits of inlays and onlays
Simple fillings can actually reduce your natural tooth strength by up to 50 percent while inlays and onlays have been shown to increase the strength of the tooth by up to 75 percent. This is due to the special high-strength resins we use during placement.
Inlays and onlays are impressively durable, lasting from 10-30 years. Inlays and onlays are more comfortable and conservative than full dental crowns. To find out if an inlay or onlay is right for your smile, call us at Wake Forest Family Dentistry today.