Your Southwest Calgary Choice for Dental Inlays and Onlays!

If you are looking for an effective solution for mild tooth decay or damage on your rear teeth, inlays and onlays might be right for you! Woodlands Dental is pleased to offer high-quality inlays and onlays to restore your damaged or decayed teeth. These custom-made restorations are designed to fit perfectly within the contours of your teeth, providing a natural appearance and strengthening the tooth structure. Woodlands Dental looks forward to seeing you soon and helping you on the road to optimal oral health and wellness.

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

Dental inlays and onlays are types of indirect dental restorations that are used to repair teeth that have suffered from mild decay or damage. They differ in the extent of their application and coverage. Dental inlays are used when the decay or damage is confined to the top surface or grooves, and does not extend to the outer edges or cusps. The inlay is crafted precisely to fit the unique size and shape of the damage or cavity, providing a very snug fit within the specific contours of the tooth. Inlays are ideal for conservative restorations that are within the tooth’s biting surface

Dental onlays are utilized when the damage to teeth extends beyond the surface to one or more cusps of the tooth, or the damage covers a more extensive surface area. Onlays are custom-designed to replace and cover damaged cusps, and they can extend over the sides of the tooth and the biting surface. This makes onlays suitable for more extensive restorations, providing increased coverage in comparison to inlays.

Both options are typically made from durable materials such as porcelain, composite resin or gold, ensuring longevity and a seamless match with your natural teeth. The choice between an inlay or onlay depends on the specific characteristics of the tooth and the extent of the decay or damage being addressed.

The Process of Applying Inlays and Onlays

The process of applying inlays and onlays is a multi-stip process, in order to ensure a precise fit for optimal restoration. The process begins with a thorough examination, where the Woodlands Dental team assesses the extent of the damage. If it is determined that an inlay or onlay is needed, we will prepare your teeth to take impressions in order to create a custom restoration. The damaged or decayed tooth structure will be removed, the affected area will be cleaned and prepared, and then the impression will be taken, using either digital scanning technology or traditional dental molds. While your inlay or onlay is being crafted in our lab, we may provide a temporary solution for comfort. Once your inlay or onlay is ready, you will return to have it securely bonded to your tooth.

For dental inlays, the custom-created restoration is carefully fitted into the prepared cavity within the tooth, covering the top indented surface. In contrast, dental onlays are designed for more severe damage that includes the sides or cusps of the tooth, and are fitted over the prepared area and onto cusps in order to restore the tooth’s natural contour. The inlay or onlay will then be securely boned to the tooth using a special dental adhesive for a stable and durable restoration. The final step involves polishing and shaping the restoration in order to achieve a seamless blend with the surrounding teeth.

With inlays and onlays from Woodlands Dental, you can restore your smile’s function and aesthetics with an effective, durable and long-lasting solution for your decayed or damaged teeth. Contact us today to learn more about how these restorations can benefit you!