Inlays and Onlays A Smile That Lasts

inlays and overlays“I want to keep my teeth longer.”
“I want a restoration that I don’t have to replace often.”
“I want something nice for myself if I have to restore my tooth.”

Do you appreciate things like fresh, locally grown food? One of a kind, designer jewelry? Then restoring decayed or broken teeth with inlays and onlays may be for you. We only use area labs and the nicest materials.

(inˈlā / verb) ornament (an object) by embedding pieces of a different material in it, flush with its surface. (inˌlā / noun) 1. a design, pattern, or piece of material inlaid in something. 2. a filling shaped to fit a tooth cavity.

Inlays and onlays are restorations not as frequently talked about as crowns and bridges. All are examples of an indirect restoration. Indirect restorations are made by recording the contours of the prepared tooth and associated area, then fabricating a model of the area that duplicates the contours of the tooth along with the adjacent and opposing areas. The restoration is made using the model as a guide.

The benefit is that the entire tooth model can be seen and accessed easily to make the restoration, which is then cemented onto the tooth. An inlay does not involve any of the high points on the chewing surface of the tooth, called cusps. An onlay does involve at least one of the cusps of a tooth. What determines how many cusps need to be incorporated into the onlay is how much dentin is present to support the strength of the cusp. Inlays and onlays can last for many years, and are highly stable.

Call 610.644.8815 to talk about how you can get your life back. We are here to help.

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