Dental Inlays and Onlays Treatment in Rouse Hill

Restorative Dentistry

Inlays and onlays serve as an alternative to full dental crowns and they cover the biting surface of your tooth. Just like fillings, they are used to successfully treat and stop tooth decay in damaged teeth.

At Rouse Hill Smiles, we use the high-quality porcelain to create our inlays and onlays. Rather than approaching inlays and onlays from a cosmetic standpoint, we choose to utilise this treatment as a restorative option to help patients achieve optimal oral health. Inlays and onlays prolong tooth life and prevent the need for more dental treatment further down the line.

Are You a Candidate for Inlays and Onlays?

If your tooth is too severely decayed for a dental filling, yet not damaged enough to justify fitting a crown, then an inlay or onlay may be the answer. Dr Teena assesses each case on a patient-by-patient basis to ensure everyone can receive the treatment most suited to their needs. Dental inlays and onlays can also be used when old fillings (such as those containing Amalgam) need to be removed or replaced.

The Treatment Process

When you come in to our practice to receive an inlay or onlay, your initial consultation will involve having thorough scans and impressions taken of your mouth. Dr Teena is then able to perform all of the necessary prep work for your treatment, before fitting a temporary inlay to remain in place until your next appointment.

After a period of two to two-and-a-half weeks, your permanent solution will be ready to be fitted in your mouth. Dr Teena will also discuss how you can maintain your results, to ensure they last long-term.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Inlays and Onlays

An onlay and inlay are restorative oral care treatments to reconstruct any damaged tooth, caused either through cavities or trauma. In dentistry, an inlay is a pre-moulded filling that is implemented to fix the damage at the cusp of the tooth. They are smaller and are fitted into the grooves of the tooth, especially used as restoration for cavities. Onlay, on the other hand, is typically executed for damages by injury or decay, covering any large surface of the tooth. 

Though this process is similar to usual fillings, they are a great alternative to crowns since onlay/inlay are known for their minimally invasive procedure while improving the structural integrity of the tooth that is being restored.

The main difference between inlay and onlay is that inlays cover a small part of the tooth. At the same time, onlays are usually used for decays that largely affect the cusps of a tooth and hence, the onlays extend over the cusps of the treated tooth. Since onlays are effective for a large dental problem, it is slightly more extensive than inlays.

Onlay and Inlay restorations are necessary when you wish to repair damaged rear teeth, especially to restore cracked, fractured or decayed teeth. These restorations work best when the dental situation isn’t bad enough to get a crown. Inlays and onlays strengthen your teeth by repairing the chewing surface of a tooth. It should be noted that these restorations are employed when the damage is mild or moderate.

For both the inlay and onlay procedure, you are most probably required to visit your dentist’s clinic twice. The procedure requires the dentist to numb the particular area using local anaesthesia. The next step involves removing the decay and preparing the tooth for its new surface. Now, your dentist uses an inlay or onlay material to create an impression of the prepared tooth. Since the impression or new surface takes time to get prepared, your dentist gives you a temporary restoration. 

During your second visit, your temporary restoration is removed, and the area or affected tooth is carefully cleaned to prepare for the final and permanent restoration. The new surface is then placed using special cement or bonding with the intention to fit correctly. The last stage includes polishing the cemented structure of the tooth.

When it comes to taking care of the onlay and inlay restorations, you should know that they can be treated the same as the rest of your tooth. While you shouldn’t chew on any hard substances which can damage the restoration, brushing twice a day and regular flossing are all of the things that are needed as far as maintenance is concerned.

Schedule Your Visit

If you have a tooth affected by decay, a dental inlay or onlay may be the perfect solution. Book a consultation with Rouse Hill Smiles today to find out more.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.