What Are Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays are used to fill damage within the grooves of a tooth, covering the chewing surface without extending over the cusps (the tooth’s outer edges). Onlays, sometimes called partial crowns, extend over one or more cusps, restoring teeth with more extensive damage. Both inlays and onlays are crafted in our dental lab, ensuring a precise fit and a natural match to your tooth color.

When Are They Recommended?

Our prosthodontists may recommend an inlay or onlay in cases such as:

• Moderate Tooth Decay: Too large for a filling but not needing a full crown.
• Cracks or Fractures: Restores and reinforces the tooth’s structure.
• Replacing Old Fillings: Offers a longer-lasting, stronger alternative.
• Conserving Tooth Structure: Repairs only the damaged portion, preserving more of your natural tooth than crowns.

Key Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

1. Durability and Strength

Our inlays and onlays are made from durable materials like porcelain and composite resin, which can withstand daily biting forces. They are much more durable than traditional fillings, often lasting up to 10 to 30 years with good care.

2. Natural Look and Feel

Inlays and onlays are custom-designed to blend with your tooth color, making them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. This makes them ideal for teeth visible when you smile, creating a seamless look.

3. Conserves Healthy Tooth Structure

Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, inlays and onlays replace only the damaged portion, leaving more of your healthy tooth intact. This is crucial for preserving tooth strength and health over time.

4. Enhanced Fit and Comfort

Custom-crafted for a perfect fit, inlays and onlays restore the tooth’s function without discomfort. Their precise fit also prevents food particles and bacteria from getting trapped, lowering the risk of future decay.

5. Less Sensitivity

The materials used in inlays and onlays, porcelain and composite resin, closely resemble natural enamel, making them less likely to react to hot and cold foods than metal fillings. This reduces sensitivity and keeps you comfortable.

The Treatment Process

Receiving an inlay or onlay usually involves two visits. During the first, our prosthodontists will remove any damaged areas and take an impression for the lab. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth, and, in the second visit, the custom inlay or onlay is bonded permanently, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.

Caring for Inlays and Onlays

Maintaining inlays and onlays involves brushing twice daily, flossing and regular dental checkups. Avoid chewing on hard items like ice or candy to prevent damage, and see our prosthodontists to monitor their condition over time.

Conclusion

Dental inlays and onlays offer a conservative and effective way to restore damaged teeth, combining strength, durability and a natural look. If you are considering this option, talk to our one of our prosthodontists about whether inlays or onlays might be the right solution for achieving a healthier, more radiant smile.

Call to Learn More

Our Denver Restorative Dentistry team in Broomfield, Colorado, encourages you to stay on top of your oral health by scheduling regular check-ups and cleanings and addressing any concerns as soon as they arise. If you would like to know more about how to optimize your smile, please call 303-586-1019 to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled prosthodontists, Drs. Goggins, Aguirre or Chertok.

Dental Fillings

You have probably already had a dental filling done before and it is one of our most common treatments for tooth issues caused by cavities, fractures or chips in a tooth. By placing a dental filling, our prosthodontists can restore your tooth’s original form and function so your smile can continue to thrive. At Denver Restorative Dentistry, we provide patients with a choice of either amalgam fillings or composite fillings. Both are excellent options for restoring damaged teeth.

When you come in for your dental filling treatment, you will be made comfortable so you can relax while we work. The treatment is done in just one visit to our office. First, we will remove any damaged and decayed areas of the tooth. Then we will clean the area so it is pristine and ready to be filled with your filling material of choice which will be contoured to your tooth’s shape so it can blend right in. Lastly, the filling fill is hardened so it can protect your tooth for many years to come!

Dental Inlays and Onlays

The other options we offer for tooth repairs are inlays and onlays. These are also great at fixing tooth damage and decay. Inlays and onlays are used when a tooth needs more protection than a filling can provide, but not as extensive as to require a dental crown. In fact, inlays and onlays are referred to as partial crowns and are crafted specifically to your tooth using either porcelain, composite resin or gold. Just as with fillings, our goal is to restore your natural tooth’s health, structure, function and looks. Inlays and onlays appear so natural that they are hardly noticeable. They also preserve the structure of your tooth. So when do you need an inlay versus an onlay? We will apply an inlay when the damage doesn’t extend to the cusp of the tooth, while an onlay is applied when there is cusp damage.

Don’t Delay, Call Today!

If you have one or more damaged teeth in your smile, we encourage you to get them evaluated and treated as soon as possible so that you can preserve the natural tooth. Whether you need a dental filling or a dental inlay or onlay, our skilled prosthodontists are ready to take care of all your dental needs. Please give us a call today at 303-586-1019 if you need help with your teeth, gums, breath or TMJ’s (jaw).

In a case such as this Dr. Taylor Goggins might recommend installing a porcelain dental veneer onto each tooth that appears in your smile. The special dental grade porcelain can be shaded to perfectly mimic the white appearance of natural tooth enamel.

If a tooth has been significantly altered by a physical defect, or it has very shallow tooth enamel, Dr. Taylor Goggins might recommend restoring it with a porcelain dental crown. This will completely replace the original tooth enamel layer with the same dental porcelain used for your dental veneers.

A second appointment will be needed once the dental lab has completed the dental veneers and any necessary dental crowns. Dr. Taylor Goggins will then cement the dental work into place with a strong dental adhesive.

If you live in the Broomfield, Colorado, area and your smile need cosmetic restoration, you should call 303-586-1019 to set up a consultation appointment at Denver Restorative Dentistry.