Understanding the Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

At Desert Dental in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Brian Shahangian and Dr. Bita Shahangian are passionate about using advanced dental technology to preserve your natural smile. 

When a tooth has damage too extensive for a simple filling but doesn’t require a dental crown, we often recommend an inlay or onlay. These custom-made restorations provide strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solutions to restore a tooth’s function and appearance.

What are inlays and onlays?

Think of inlays and onlays as a middle ground between a dental filling and a full crown. They’re known as indirect restorations because they’re fabricated in a dental lab before we bond them to your tooth. A direct filling is applied and shaped directly in your mouth.

Inlays

An inlay is the smaller of the two restorations, designed to fit perfectly within the cusps (pointed projections) of a molar or premolar’s chewing surface. We use inlays to repair damage in the tooth’s central area, providing a stronger, more durable alternative to traditional fillings.

Onlays

An onlay provides more substantial coverage when the damage extends to one or more of the tooth’s cusps. An onlay covers the damaged cusp(s) as well as the inner portion of the tooth, restoring its shape and protecting it from further harm.

Because it covers more of the tooth structure, an onlay is sometimes called a partial crown.

The advantages of inlays and onlays

Choosing an inlay or onlay offers several significant benefits for restoring your smile. Our team at Desert Dental recommends them for their conservative approach and long-lasting results.

Durability and longevity

Crafted from high-quality materials, such as porcelain or composite resin, inlays and onlays are strong and resilient. They’re bonded directly to your tooth, adding to their strength and ensuring a tight seal. With proper care and hygiene, these restorations can last for decades.

Conservative tooth preservation

Our goal is always to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Inlays and onlays allow us to do that.

Unlike a full crown, which requires removing a significant portion of the tooth’s structure, inlays and onlays only require the removal of the decayed or damaged area, leaving more of your healthy tooth intact.

Superior strength and fit

Because they’re custom-milled from a solid piece of porcelain or resin, inlays and onlays can strengthen a damaged tooth. The precise, lab-created fit ensures there are no gaps, making the tooth easier to clean and sealing out bacteria that can cause future decay.

Natural-looking aesthetics

We can craft your inlay or onlay to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. Porcelain, in particular, is highly resistant to staining, ensuring your restoration remains virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile for years to come.

The inlay and onlay procedure

The process for placing an inlay or onlay typically involves two appointments. 

During the first visit, we prepare the tooth by removing the decay or damage. We then take a precise digital impression using our iTero® scanner, which is sent to a dental lab to create your custom restoration. We place a temporary filling to protect the tooth.

At your second visit, we remove the temporary filling and permanently bond your inlay or onlay into place. We then polish the restoration to ensure a perfect fit and a seamless, natural look.

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth and want to explore your options, inlays and onlays may be the ideal solution. To learn more about these durable and aesthetically pleasing restorations, contact Desert Dental online or by phone to schedule your appointment today.