Inlays and Onlays

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in West Covina, CA

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays services offered in West Covina, CA

Inlays and onlays provide an affordable and effective way to restore broken, cracked, or chipped teeth. At Queens Dental Group in West Covina, California, general and cosmetic dentists AJ Suchak, DDS, Om Suchak, DDS, and their team use indirect fillings, like inlays and onlays, to repair damaged and decaying teeth. Call the Los Angeles-area practice or book online to see if you can benefit from inlays and onlays today.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that repair damaged or decaying teeth.

If you have a small cavity or bite down on something hard and chip your tooth, inlays and onlays can restore your smile and prevent additional damage.

Even though inlays and onlays are often mentioned together, they aren’t the same thing:

Inlays 

An inlay is made of tooth-colored material, like porcelain or composite resin. Your Queens Dental Group provider bonds the inlay on the top of a damaged or decaying tooth. The inlay fills the area between the cusps (the ridges on top of your teeth). 

After it dries, the inlay blends in with your tooth enamel, restoring your tooth to its near-original shape and size.

Onlays

An onlay is similar to an inlay. The difference is that the porcelain or composite resin extends over the chewing surfaces of your tooth. Typically, onlays repair more extensive damage or decay.

What does getting inlays and onlays involve?

At Queens Dental Group, getting inlays and onlays takes two visits several weeks apart.

During the first visit, your provider reviews your dental records, takes a series of digital X-rays, and completes an oral exam. If you have a cavity or visible tooth damage, you qualify for treatment.

The team numbs your mouth with an anesthetic and removes the decaying or damaged portion of your tooth enamel. Then, they take impressions of your tooth and send them to a dental lab. The lab uses your impressions to create an inlay or onlay that fits your tooth perfectly.

When your inlay or onlay is ready, a week or two later, you return to Queens Dental Group. Your provider bonds the inlay or onlay on top of your tooth, polishes it, and explains how to care for it.

How long do inlays and onlays last?

Inlays and onlays last between 12-15 years* on average, but you can extend their lifespan by practicing good oral hygiene. The team at Queens Dental Group recommends brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for preventive teeth cleaning.

To see if you’re a candidate for inlays and onlays, call Queens Dental Group or book online today.

*Individual results may vary.