703.478.9574Inlays and Onlays
Reston and Arlington, VA
Inlays and onlays are two excellent ways of repairing a damaged or decayed tooth, usually a back tooth. They’re good repair options when the tooth doesn’t need a crown, but does need strengthening as well as filling.
Inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth by being bonded to it, unlike standard fillings, which traditionally are not bonded, but just tightly fitted in the cavity.
- Standard fillings are done in one office visit
- Inlays and onlays need two visits because they’re made in a lab and then bonded to your tooth during the second visit
How do inlays and onlays differ from each other?
- Inlays – are needed when the tooth damage is contained within the tips of the tooth
- Onlays – are needed if the damage extends over the tips and covers part of the tooth’s outside surface, but not so extensively as to require a crown
Decide what material to use
Once our Herndon cosmetic dentist, Dr. Katz has determined that an inlay or onlay is the best treatment, the next decision is what type of material to use.
- Gold is very long-lasting, but also very visually obvious
- Dental composite resin is durable and tooth-colored, so not as obvious as gold
- Porcelain is durable and tooth-colored, and is also translucent, meaning that light travels through it the way it travels through natural tooth enamel, bouncing back off the underlying dentin (in the case of enamel) or cement (in the case of porcelain), to give that sheen that natural teeth have
First appointment with our Reston cosmetic dentist
- Dr. Katz numbs the area and removes the decay in the tooth
- He makes an impression of the tooth which will be used to make the inlay or onlay
- Lastly, he’ll put a temporary cover on the tooth for the 2 or 3 weeks until the second appointment
The laboratory uses the tooth impression to make your inlay or onlay and sends it to Dr. Katz.
Second appointment
- Dr. Katz will remove the temporary cover and clean the tooth to prepare it
- He’ll try the new inlay or onlay to check its fit
- When he’s satisfied with it, he’ll bond it to the tooth, make any touch-ups necessary, and polish it
Each appointment will take about an hour. Afterwards, there’s seldom any pain but if there is, an over-the-counter painkiller will take care of it.
After a couple of days you’ll be accustomed to the new tooth shape and be able to eat your usual diet.
Porcelain inlays and onlays are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, giving your teeth a natural luster and blending imperceptibly with the natural tooth.
Get all of your inlays and onlay questions answered during a Free Smile Evaluation with Reston cosmetic dentist, Dr. Katz.
