Inlays & Onlays

Inlays & Onlays

at Moira Dental Care

What is an inlay?

Inlays are an alternative to regular dental fillings, they can be used to fill cavities and gaps within the inner fissure of the tooth. We can use inlays over regular fillings, and they are strong enough to be placed in both the front and back of the mouth, making them a good solution for repairing weak teeth, partial teeth, and sizable areas of decay. Inlays sit inside the grooves of your teeth.


Why should I choose a dental inlay?


Because inlays are lab made, they are bespoke to each patient meaning they can provide a more accurate restoration of your teeth.  Because our inlays are made to fit your tooth perfectly, they have a more natural appearance and blend to your natural teeth. They also have an overall improved feel and provide a longer lasting solution than traditional fillings. Often larger cavities are best treated with inlays and onlays, as fillings simply won’t manage the damage.


What is an onlay?

A dental onlay is a type of restoration that is commonly used to treat damaged or decayed teeth. Onlays provide a powerful and long-lasting repair treatment. These restorations offer numerous advantages. An onlay is often used as an alternative to a dental crown since it helps to save more tooth than the traditional crown insertion procedure. An onlay sits around the cusp of the tooth.


Why might I need an onlay?


Your dentist might recommend a dental onlay if you have significant damage or decay to the cusp or biting surface of your tooth. Often is a cavity is too large for a conventional filling, an onlay is used. Before being attached to the decayed or broken tooth, onlays are pre-formed in a laboratory. Because they do not involve the loss of healthy tooth structure, they are a more conservative method than a dental crown. A dental onlay is bigger than an inlay but smaller than a crown. It fits within the grooves but wraps up and over the cusps, covering a larger portion of the tooth's surface. A dental onlay is frequently used to repair a tooth with more significant damage to the cusp or maybe the biting surface.

What is the process?


Treatments will take two appointments as the carefully moulded part to replace your tooth needs to be crafted in a dental laboratory. On your first visit, your dentist will take a mould of the tooth, which will be used to create the inlay or onlay. Your finished inlay or onlay will then be carefully fitted during your second appointment. Usually this process takes around three weeks.


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