If your tooth decay or damage is too extensive to be treated with a standard filling, we can use an inlay or onlay to provide an effective repair. They are a long-lasting solution, and often considered a less invasive alternative to a crown. Inlays are cemented within the tooth cavity, while onlays cover the biting surface for a larger repair.
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To begin, we remove any areas of decay or old fillings and carefully clean your tooth.
We take images and impressions of your tooth, which are used by a dental laboratory to create your custom-made inlay or onlay. The accurate impressions mean it will exactly match the area to be filled.
We fit a temporary restoration on your tooth to protect the prepared cavity between appointments.
When your inlay or onlay is ready, we check it for fit and comfort before fixing it permanently into place using a strong dental adhesive.
We use hardwearing materials like aesthetic porcelain and composite resin to ensure durability and a perfect match to your natural tooth colour. If aesthetics is not an issue, especially for back teeth, we can use gold to provide a particularly strong and durable restoration.
Inlays and onlays are seen as long-term solutions, offering superior protection and stability. With proper care, you can expect your inlay or onlay to last for a similar number of years to dental crowns, typically between 10 to 15 years.
Looking after your inlays and onlays is as simple as caring for your natural teeth. Maintain your regular routine of daily brushing and flossing, and visit your dentist for check-up appointments. The tailored fit of the restorations makes them easy to keep clean, helping to keep your entire smile healthy.
You should take care when eating immediately after having your inlays and onlays fitted, and should avoid eating hard foods. However, you are able to resume eating as normal after a few days.
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