Inlays and Onlays in Warwick
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
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State of the art practice
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Local independent practice
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Highly experienced clinicians
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Taking on new patients
This minimally invasive restoration is long lasting and highly effective. The inlay or onlay is designed specifically for your tooth, so it will fit the hole left by decay or damage. This is the best way to fully restore your bite and protect your teeth.
If you have suffered extensive decay in a rear tooth (molars and premolars) you might need an inlay or an onlay to help restore the biting surface. Porcelcain restorations can be designed to perfectly fit your tooth and create a natural-looking and feeling restoration.
The difference between and inlay and an onlay
The treatment process will be the same, whether you require an inlay or an onlay, but the aftercare could be slightly different. This is because the risks for damaging each type of restoration will be slightly different. An inlay will restore the inner part of your tooth, so it is most likely to fail if you eat sticky or chewy sweets that cause the inlay to come loose. An onlay covers the outer cusp of the tooth, so it would be more at risk of chipping, cracking or coming loose. We can give you comprehensive aftercare instructions to minimise the risk of this happening.
Related treatments
What happens during treatment?
The treatment takes place over two visits. During the first visit, we address the damage to your tooth and measure the space to be filled. It's important to get the right dimensions for the inlay or onlay so it fully restores your bite.
During the second visit to our dental office, we will permanently fix the inlay or onlay in place using special dental cement. Once in place, we'll then check that your bite is not changed by the addition of the restoration. As you will be numbed for the treatment, you might not be aware of any issues with the placement until the anaesthetic wears off. If you get home and the inlay or onlay doesn't feel natural, simply call our team to arrange a follow-up.
Inlays and Onlays Vs Crowns
Not sure if you need a simple restoration or a more extensive restoration? These are some of the main differences between these two popular treatments.
Inlays and Onlays
An inlay or an onlay is designed to restore a badly damaged or decaying tooth. When the decay happens deep in the cusp, this can be removed with a drill and filled with composite filling material.
However, if the damage is extensive or extends beyond the cusp, this treatment requires a different approach to help preserve the tooth and bite. An inlay will be used is the damage is contained to inside the tooth, while an onlay may be required if the damage extends beyond the cusp of the tooth.
Crowns
When a tooth is very damaged and weakened by decay, a crown might be recommended to help protect the underlying structure. This is commonly recommended following root canal treatment.
With a crown restoration, more of the underlying tooth structure is removed to make space for the crown. In dentistry, we need to strike a balance between maintaining your natural tooth structure and providing a sturdy restoration. When deciding between a crown and an inlay/onlay we will always try to be as minimally invasive as possible.
Meet
our team
Get to know the team behind the treatments. We are proud to have built a team of experts and industry leaders. Meet the dental surgeons, dentists, dental nurses and support staff that will help support you on your journey to better oral health.
About the teamFrequently Asked Questions
It’s common to have lots of questions about your treatment. We’ve answered some of the most popular questions below.
Inlays and onlays are more expensive than fillings because they are created from ceramic materials in a lab, rather than applied directly to the teeth and shaped. They are required to help restore the shape of the cusp of the tooth in cases of more extensive damage.
The main disadvantage is the time commitment required to place the restoration. It takes two trips to the dentist to place this type of restoration, which is similar to the treatment time for a crown or bridge.
This type of dental restoration is small and strong, which makes it very long lasting. With the right care, and assuming the restoration doesn't come loose, it could last from 20-30 years before it needs to be replaced.
