What is a dental inlay or dental onlay?

Dental inlays and onlays are sometimes called partial crowns, and they are bonded directly to the remaining healthy tooth structure to strengthen and restore a damaged tooth. Dental inlays and onlays in Ann Arbor, Michigan, can be fabricated from gold or porcelain to meet your personal preferences; gold restorations are typically considered the most durable, while porcelain is a more natural-looking material. Inlays and onlays are more conservative than dental crowns because they cover only the weakened and decayed portion of the tooth rather than the entire tooth. Each dental inlay or onlay is custom made to perfectly fit the tooth and restore your smile to full function and health.

Do I need a dental inlay or dental onlay?

When a tooth is damaged or decayed, you may have a few choices for restoring the tooth. Our knowledgeable dentist may recommend a dental inlay or onlay if a tooth is too brittle, weak, or thin to support a traditional dental filling because of deep or wide decay. Inlays are used when the damage or decay does not extend to the cusps of the tooth, while an onlay covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth, including the cusps. Dr. Nadia Hamouda will carefully examine your smile to determine whether a dental inlay or onlay would be better for restoring your smile. For more information on dental inlays and onlays, we welcome you to contact us today at White Pearl Dentistry.