Dental Inlays and Onlays Pittsburg CA

When over 1/2 of the tooths biting surface is damaged your doctor will often use an inlay or onlay.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth; an onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How are they applied?

Inlays and onlays now only require one appointment to complete the procedure. The filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. We no longer need to take an impression, instead we take an image of the preparation. The inlay or onlay is designed in the computer and milled from a block of porcelain. The milling takes from 10 to 20 minutes and most of our patients enjoy watching the process from start to finish. It truly is fascinating to watch. Your doctor will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50%. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, being bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

For more information about Inlays / Onlays or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jafari, Dr. Modaressi, Dr. Hocking or Dr. Luong, call our office in Pittsburg, CA at Sky Dental Team Phone Number 925-432-2444.

Quick Links:
Schedule Appointment
New Patient Registration
Contact Info / Directions