Inlays and Onlays

Dental restorations, like inlays and onlays, can repair your teeth and prevent further damage if you have severe tooth decay or oral trauma. At Uptown Dental in Cedar Hill, Texas, general and restorative dentist Jeffrey Belz, DDS, uses inlays and onlays to repair teeth with damaged chewing surfaces. These restorations help preserve your smile and prevent the need for more invasive procedures. Call Uptown Dental today to schedule an inlays and onlays appointment, or book your visit online.

Are inlays and onlays the same as dental crowns?

No. Inlays, onlays, and crowns are all dental restorations, but they aren’t the same.

Inlays

A dental inlay is a piece of porcelain, gold, or ceramic that repairs the damaged chewing surface between the cusps of your tooth. Cusps are small bumps on the top of your teeth. They help grind up food, making it easier to swallow.

Onlays

A dental inlay is a piece of porcelain, gold, or ceramic that repairs the entire chewing surface of a tooth, including the cusps. Onlays are larger than inlays and restore a larger portion of tooth enamel.

Crowns

A dental crown is a porcelain, gold, or ceramic cap that covers all of your tooth enamel above the gum line. You might benefit from a crown if you have severe tooth damage that can’t be fixed with an inlay or onlay.

The easiest way to determine which type of restoration will most benefit you is to schedule an appointment at Uptown Dental.

How are inlays and onlays applied?

Getting dental inlays or onlays takes two visits over several weeks.

If Dr. Belz determines that you can benefit from an inlay or an onlay, he removes the decaying or damaged tooth enamel and prepares your tooth for the restoration. Then, he takes impressions of your tooth and sends them to a dental laboratory. Dr. Belz covers your tooth with a temporary sealant until your custom inlay or onlay is ready.

After the lab completes your restoration, you visit Uptown Dental for the second time. Dr. Belz removes the temporary sealant and lines the inlay or onlay up with the chewing surface of your tooth. 

Dr. Belz bonds the restoration on top of your tooth with dental cement and checks your bite. Then, he polishes your tooth, ensuring a smooth chewing surface.

Why should I choose an inlay or onlay instead of a traditional filling?

Traditional dental fillings can weaken your tooth enamel by up to 50%. Conversely, inlays and onlays make your tooth enamel up to 75% stronger. They often last 10-30 years and are easy to care for. Simply brush and floss twice daily and visit Uptown Dental twice annually for checkups.

Call Uptown Dental today to see if you’re a candidate for inlays and onlays, or book your appointment online.