Inlays or Onlays

Inlays or Onlays

Inlays or onlays are two methods of restoring normal tooth structure after damage or decay. In short it can help protect the original tooth structure and can actually strengthen the remaining tooth.

TREATMENT TIME

Usually 2 office visits; 1-2 hours each per tooth

Maintenance

• Brush and floss daily
• Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash as prescribed by your dentist
• Also reduce intake of refined sugars and chewy foods such as caramels

Results

• More conservative that a full crown
• Gold is most functional and longest – lasting method of restoring teeth, but large restorations tend to show metal.
• As a matter of fact Porcelain can be a highly esthetic replacement for discolored or metal posterior fillings
• Composite resin can match tooth color well

Treatment Longevity

• Gold: 6-20 years
• Porcelain: 5-15 years
• Composite resin: 5-12 years
• Well – suited for large cavities

Advantages

GOLD:

• Longest lasting
• Wears more like tooth structure
• Will not fracture

PORCELAIN:

• Esthetic (tooth – colored)
• Stronger than posterior composite resins
• Extremely good bond to tooth structure
• Will not stain
• Insulating

COMPOSITE RESIN:

• May be less expensive than other options
• More expensive than amalgam

Disadvantages

GOLD:

• Metal can show
• Takes 2 office visits
• Noninsulating (conducts heat and cold)

PORCELAIN:

• Can fracture in the long run
• Take 2 office visits (unless it is designed and created by machine in the dentist’s office)
• Possible wear of opposing natural tooth

COMPOSITE RESIN:

• Wears faster