Inlays & Onlays
When more than half of the tooth's biting surface is damaged a dentist 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 inlays and onlays applied?
However, because Dr. Barsky is a trained and exerienced Cerec 3D user, the procedure will only take one visit. 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. Dr. Barsky will take a series of digital images using a special camera. These images will be correlated to your bite and using a CAD/CAM system a new restoration will be designed right in front of you. The image will then be sent to a porcelain milling unit and your restoration (inlay, onlay or crown) will be milled out in about 15 minutes. Dr. Barsky will check the fit, adjust the bite and polish the restoration all in about an hour.
Considerations for inlays and onlays
Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. 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.