eastin center for cosmetic dentistry

General Treatments

Inlays & Onlays

Before and After

An excellent way to restore teeth with small to moderate decay

The Problem:

  • Any level of decay on a portion of any tooth
  • Need for a long-term, durable restoration
  • Desire to limit the amount of healthy tooth structure removed
  • Need to strengthen and reinforce tooth

The Solution:

Decay is removed and cleaned from the tooth and a highly accurate impression or mold is made of the prepared surface. This mold is used to create a model of the tooth which is then sent to a special laboratory that will create a porcelain (tooth colored) restoration called an inlay or onlay. The inlay or onlay is then cemented into the prepared surface of the tooth.

An inlay covers only two or three surfaces of the tooth and is used to restore a small amount of decay. An onlay actually covers one or more cusps (the chewing surface of the tooth.)

Inlay and Onlay

Advantages:

Inlays and onlays are incredibly strong due to the fact that they are created in a laboratory. This protects the tooth from fracturing and actually strengthens the tooth. In addition, inlays and onlays fit almost perfectly into the prepared surface of the tooth, reducing the size of the seam between the restoration and the tooth. This helps keep decay from eventually occurring under the restoration.

Inlays and onlays require the removal of only decayed areas of the tooth, leaving more healthy tooth structure intact. This can help prevent the expense of root canal therapy in the future.

Disadvantages:

Due to the fact that they are crafted in a laboratory, inlays and onlays require a greater initial investment than regular fillings. However, in the long run, inlays and onlays are a better investment than fillings due to their extremely long life and highly accurate fit.

Alternatives:

In cases of extensive decay, crowns are the only alternative.

dental information center

Success Stories

In working with you and your staff, I can honestly say that for the first time, I actually looked forward to my dental visits.

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Curtis Eastin, DDS, ND
Center For Modern Dentistry
1250 Ironwood Drive
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 667-4844