Dental Inlays and Onlays
Stronger, Natural-Looking Tooth Restorations
At Dr. Sarah Frahm’s Monterey dental office, we use inlays and onlays to restore teeth affected by decay, damage, or wear. With an inlay or onlay we preserve as much of your natural tooth enamel as possible. These long-lasting restorations are a smart solution when a filling isn’t enough, and a full crown isn’t necessary.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are custom-made dental restorations crafted from strong, tooth-colored materials like porcelain or composite resin.
- Inlays fit inside the grooves of a tooth’s chewing surface and are often used to repair cavities in the center of back teeth.
- Onlays extend beyond the grooves to cover one or more of the tooth’s cusps, making them a great option for larger areas of damage.
Unlike traditional fillings, inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab for a perfect fit. The inlay or onlay is then then bonded to your tooth, making it stronger.
Choosing the Right Restoration: Inlays, Fillings, or Crowns
Understanding how inlays and onlays compare to other common restorations:
- Inlays: More durable than fillings; ideal for chewing surfaces.
- Onlays: Cover larger areas, including tooth cusps.
- Crowns: Best for teeth with severe damage or decay; requires more enamel removal.
We aim to use the least invasive treatments that provide long-term success.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your treatment typically involves two visits:
Preparation Visit
- Dr. Frahm will gently remove decay or old restoration material.
- We’ll take a digital impression to send to our dental lab partner.
- A temporary restoration will be placed.
Placement Visit
- Your custom inlay or onlay is bonded to your tooth.
- We ensure a precise fit and natural appearance.
- You’ll leave with a strong, comfortable, and beautiful restoration.
What Patients Are Saying
Durability and Longevity
With excellent care, your inlay or onlay can last from 5 to 30 years. To extend the lifespan of your inlay or onlay, we recommend:
- Maintain regular brushing, flossing, and dental hygiene visits.
- Avoid chewing ice or very hard foods.
- Ask us about a nightguard if you clench or grind your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental inlays work better than fillings for larger cavities located on the center chewing surfaces of teeth. Unlike composite and amalgam fillings, inlays are made of porcelain, which is more durable. See “Inlays and Onlays: What are they and when are they needed?” to learn more.
Dental onlays repair the elevated parts of the tooth called the cusp. Meanwhile, a dental crown restores the entire surface of the tooth. Discover more in “Inlays and Onlays: What are they and when are they needed?”
Inlays and onlays are placed on the teeth similarly. First, Dr. Frahm removes decay, damaged enamel, and remaining filling from the affected teeth. A mold is then taken for the damaged tooth and sent to a state-of-the-art dental lab to create an inlay or onlay. Once the inlay or inlay is made, it will be returned to Dr. Frahm. she will affix the inlay or only with a strong adhesive on the teeth. To delve deeper into the procedure, see “The Procedure for Getting an Inlay or Onlay.”
Contact Our Dental Team
Let our team of dental care experts help you find your most vibrant smile. Please call (831)-372-8011 today or contact our care concierge to schedule your dental consultation with Dr. Sarah Frahm. We serve patients throughout the communities of Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove.