Dental damage and decay can sometimes develop, even with diligent oral hygiene. Fortunately, there are a wide range of restorative treatment options that can help restore your beautiful smile aesthetically and functionally, including porcelain onlays and inlays. Our extensively trained dentist, Dr. Arash Azarbal, uses onlays and inlays to repair dental decay and damage that are too large for a standard filling, but too minor for a dental crown thus preserving your healthy tooth structure.
Both dental inlays and onlays are designed with the same purpose, but they are used to cover different amounts of the tooth. An inlay goes inside the tooth’s surface, much like a filling. An onlay, on the other hand, will cover the interior surface and one or more of the cusps, or pointed tips, at the tooth’s surface. Basically, an onlay covers one or more of the tooth’s damaged walls. It’s important to note that we use high-quality porcelain (tooth-colored material) for our inlays and onlays to help you keep your smile looking lovely.
Dental inlays and onlays are very strong and generally last even longer than a traditional filling. Additionally, we offer CEREC® same-day restorations, which can save you time while providing a durable, beautiful result. It’s still important to brush and floss as usual, but no other special maintenance is required to care for an inlay or onlay.