
Inlays or Onlays
Inlays and onlays are used to restore areas of more extensive decay that are too large to be treated with a normal filling, and are usually placed in teeth at the back of the mouth. They provide an aesthetic repair as they are made from hard wearing materials such as porcelain or composite resin which replicate the look of natural teeth.
Inlays and onlays are created outside the mouth, unlike a filling, from an impression taken of the tooth. An inlay is cemented within the cavity and an onlay covers more of the tooth and extends over the top edges.
The Treatment Process
- We remove any decay or damage, then clean and prepare the area to be filled.
- We take an impression of the damaged tooth and use this to create an inlay or onlay that will match the exact shape of the biting surface to be treated.
- To protect the prepared cavity while the inlay or onlay is being made, we will fit a temporary restoration.
- When we are sure the specially made inlay or onlay will fit perfectly, we fix it to the tooth with a strong dental adhesive.
