Upon a standard dental check-up, our dental hygienists may discover tooth decay or other damage in your mouth that requires repair. Once said damage has been repaired, a form of restoration will be applied to your tooth. While the term ‘fillings’ is frequently used to refer to tooth repair, there are several other types of dental restorations available. Fillings, dental inlays, and dental onlays are examples of these.

What are inlays?

Inlays are utilised to repair a back tooth’s broad chewing surface and to cover bigger cavities when a traditional filling would be insufficient. Because these chewing surfaces have large crevices that easily trap plaque and food, they are prone to cavities.

Our dentists will need to thoroughly prepare the tooth before taking a detailed impression that will be submitted to our dental laboratory so that your inlay may be made from porcelain or gold. Alternatively, utilising the most current CAD/CAM technology, we may be able to produce a porcelain inlay while you wait.

Your tooth will be scanned and the information used to construct your new inlay. The design will mill your new inlay from a solid block of porcelain in a shade that closely matches your original tooth. These restorations can be stunning, and they can eliminate the need for a temporary filling while your inlay is being created.

What are onlays?

An onlay resembles an inlay but is slightly larger. It can treat a larger cavity on the chewing surface’s core region, as well as one or more tooth cusps. The elevated points on the tooth are known as incisors. Your onlay can be created in our dental laboratory or on-site with our milling equipment in the same way as an inlay is.

Your tooth will be restored to its full strength and structure whether you have a filling, inlay, or onlay, so you may bite and chew without fear of your tooth crumbling.

How an inlay differs from an onlay and filling

Inlays are excellent if you have minimal tooth decay, a fracture, or other dental injuries. However, different types of dental restoration may be required on occasion.

A dental onlay can be used to treat a tooth that has more significant damage that has progressed to the cusp or biting surface. An onlay covers the higher spots around the edges of your tooth, whereas an inlay frequently covers a cavity in the grooves of your tooth. A dental onlay is identical to a dental inlay in terms of process. A local anaesthetic will be used to numb the affected area by our oral care specialists.

They will next drill your tooth to remove any decayed or damaged tooth material and place a temporary dental onlay to fill the cavity or damaged area. Your dentist will next take an impression and send it to a lab, just like with an inlay. Your permanent onlay will come a week or so later, and your dentist will place it in your tooth.

Fillings, on the other hand, are comprised of a variety of materials and are used to fill in a tiny section of your tooth after a dental practitioner has cleaned out a cavity. They range from the more common amalgam – a metal alloy – to glass and acrylic resin composite.

Traditional fillings commonly have more disadvantages than inlays and onlays. Metal and gold fillings can reduce tooth strength by up to 50%. On the contrary, inlays and onlays composed of porcelain and composite materials can boost tooth strength by up to 75% and last up to thirty years.

Fillings have the advantages of requiring only one dental appointment, being less expensive, and being appropriate for minor cavities. Inlays and outlays, are predominantly used to repair bigger areas of damage. They serve as a bridge between fillings and crowns.

What are inlays and onlays made of?

Inlays and onlays, like fillings, are typically constructed of porcelain or composite resin. These materials fit in with the colour of your natural tooth while also providing long-term strength and reinforcement to a tooth that has been injured. Inlays and onlays made of gold and amalgam are available, but composite resin and porcelain options provide a virtually undetectable solution.

How long does it take to fit inlays and onlays?

Because the carefully moulded portion to replace your tooth must be produced in a dental laboratory, treatment will require two appointments. Our dentists will take a mould of your tooth on your initial visit, which will be used to construct the inlay or onlay. Your final inlay or onlay will be meticulously installed during your second appointment.

When is an inlay suitable?

Even if you follow a strict oral hygiene practice and go to your dentist on a regular basis, harm might still occur. If your biting surface of your tooth meets the following characteristics, your dentist may propose an inlay:

• Teeth that are broken, cracked, or decaying but do not impact the cusps of the tooth.
• The damage is severe enough that a substantial dental filling is required, which could compromise the remaining structure.
• The extent of the injury prevents adequate tooth material from being removed to enable the placement of a dental crown.

Inlay aftercare

The first 48 hours after the treatment are crucial for your inlay to have a long-lasting effect. Extremely hot and cold foods, as well as sticky or hard foods, should be avoided. For a few days, stick to soft, basic foods to give your mouth a break.

After the surgery, you may feel numb or uncomfortable for a day or two. Once this has passed, don’t be afraid to resume your regular dental hygiene practice.

Inlays, onlays, and fillings are all useful restorative procedures, and you should discuss which one is best for you with your dental practitioner. The strength and durability of the materials and the fact that this operation promotes a longer lifespan for your teeth may make an inlay the perfect choice for you.

Oral health prevention is vital, regardless of the choice you and your dentist choose. Brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush, flossing once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash to remove any leftover bacteria are all recommended. This programme, together with regular dental exams, is the most effective way of preventive dentistry. It should help you reduce your risk of cavities, which means you’ll have a significantly lower probability of needing these procedures in the future.

Maintain your oral health or get expert medical advice from Etwall Dental Practice. If you feel as though you may require an inlay, onlay, a filling or any other cosmetic dental procedures, please get in touch with us via phone on 01283 733391 or fill out our contact form and a member of the team will get back to you to discuss treatment options.