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Dental Inlays and Onlays Sydney
Protect your smile from decay and damage with our dental inlays and onlays treatments in Sydney.
- Partial crowns
- ¾ crowns
An inlay is used to repair damage on the inside of the tooth, while an onlay is used to repair damage on the inside and outside of a tooth. This not only treats your teeth, but helps to prevent further issues from occurring.
When are they used?
Sometimes adult molars erupt with deep fissures or grooves on the inside of the tooth, and these grooves and actually trap food. This makes brushing food away extremely difficult and as such the risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay greatly increases. When this damage does occur, inlays and onlays can be used to repair this biting surface and flatten it for heightened function.
“You want to keep as much of the natural tooth as possible”
Professor Jim Ironside
How will I know if I will need an inlay or onlay?
Generally, these treatments are used to restore the health and vitality of a tooth that has been affected by dental decay, cracks or chips.
Inlays and onlays are generally used to repair damage involving over half of the tooth’s biting surface. An inlay is generally used to repair damage on the inside of the tooth, such as tooth decay or cracks. An onlay is used to repair damage on the inside and outside of a tooth, where the damage has extended out over the cusp of the tooth. By using these treatments we can not only treat your teeth, we can help prevent further issues from occurring.
At Ironside Advanced Dental, we will assess the condition of your tooth prior to making any recommendations to ensure inlays or onlays are best for you. If we find damage that does not require a dental filling, inlays or onlays may be suggested to provide the best possible result to allow your teeth to remain healthy.
We use the highest quality materials
Our elite prosthodontist uses advanced materials for our restorative and general treatments. This allows our inlays and onlays to be bonded directly into the tooth with special resins and can actually improve the degraded strength of the tooth back towards normal. By strengthening the teeth, we can actively prevent further damage to the tooth and protect it from future decay. With good care, your inlays or onlays can last up to 10 years!
Contact us today or {{contactUs}} to discover more about our high quality inlays and onlays treatments offered at our Sydney CBD dental practice.
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Frequently asked questions about inlays and onlays
What is the difference between an inlay and onlay?
Inlays are designed to repair the tooth’s surface. This is a technique used when there is decay within the cusps of the tooth.
Onlays repairs more extensive areas. Also referred to as a partial crown, onlays are designed to treat a much larger area and are used on the biting surface, extending over one or more cusps across the tooth.
What are the benefits of inlays and onlays?
Significantly stronger than normal fillings, inlays and onlays can:
- Restore large cavities
- Replace fillings
- Look very natural
- Be a more conservative approach in comparison to getting a crown
How durable are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are known to be quite durable. With proper care and frequent check-ups, they can last up to 10 years.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are custom-made dental restorations used to repair teeth with moderate damage or decay that doesn’t warrant a full dental crown but exceeds the scope of a regular filling. Inlays are fitted within the grooves or cusps of a tooth’s biting surface, while onlays cover a larger area, including one or more cusps. These restorations are crafted from materials like porcelain or composite resin, providing strength, aesthetics, and durability. The damaged portion of the tooth is removed, an impression is taken, and the inlay or onlay is fabricated in a dental laboratory before being bonded to the tooth. This conservative approach helps preserve natural tooth structure while effectively restoring function and appearance. Your dentist will determine which option is best suited for your specific dental condition.
How do they differ from fillings and crowns?
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used for moderately damaged teeth, covering larger areas than fillings but less than crowns. Inlays fit within the grooves or cusps of the biting surface, while onlays extend over a larger portion, including the cusps. Fillings address smaller areas of decay or damage and are placed directly in the tooth during a single visit. Crowns, on the other hand, cover the entire tooth, making them suitable for more extensive damage or weakened teeth, requiring more preparation and removal of tooth structure. Each restoration type serves a specific range of dental needs, offering varying levels of coverage and conservation of natural tooth structure.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure for getting inlays and onlays involves tooth preparation and removal of damaged or decayed portions, followed by the taking of an impression to create a custom model for crafting the restoration. If needed, a temporary restoration might be placed while the permanent inlay or onlay is fabricated. Skilled technicians create the restoration from materials like porcelain or composite resin, known for their durability and natural appearance. During the second appointment, the permanent restoration is fitted, adjusted, and bonded to the tooth using a dental adhesive, restoring its strength and functionality. This multi-step process typically requires two appointments, ensuring a precise fit and seamless integration with your natural teeth.