When a tooth is too damaged for a filling but doesn’t need a full crown, inlays and onlays offer the perfect solution. At Dental Designs of Stroud, our doctors use these conservative restorations to repair moderate damage while preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Inlays and onlays are custom-made to fit your tooth precisely, providing strength, durability, and a natural appearance. With our CEREC technology, we can often design and create your restoration in a single visit.
Saving More Of Your Natural Tooth
The biggest advantage of inlays and onlays is how conservative they are. Unlike crowns, which require significant reduction of your tooth structure, inlays and onlays preserve more of your healthy enamel.
A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth. An inlay or onlay only replaces the damaged area. This means less drilling, less tooth removal, and a stronger tooth in the long run.
By preserving more natural tooth structure, we reduce the risk of future complications and help your tooth withstand chewing forces better. Your natural tooth is always stronger than any restoration, so keeping as much of it as possible is always the goal.
Perfect For Moderate Damage
Inlays and onlays are ideal for teeth that have:
- Cavities too large for a simple filling
- Fractured or cracked cusps
- Old fillings that have failed and need replacement
- Decay between teeth that requires more support than bonding
- Moderate wear or damage that doesn’t involve the entire tooth
If the damage is confined to the center of the tooth, an inlay fits inside the cusps (the pointed parts of the chewing surface). If one or more cusps are damaged, an onlay covers the damaged cusp while preserving the rest of the tooth.
Our doctors will evaluate the extent of damage and recommend the most conservative option that gives you a predictable, long-lasting result.
Engineered For Strength & Precision
Inlays and onlays are custom-fabricated to fit your tooth with incredible precision. This tight fit strengthens the tooth, seals out bacteria, and prevents future decay from forming underneath the restoration.
Because they’re made from solid materials like porcelain or composite resin, inlays and onlays are much stronger than traditional fillings. They can withstand heavy chewing forces and typically last longer than composite fillings—often 10 to 20 years or more with proper care.
The precision fit also means better contact between teeth, which improves your bite and makes flossing easier.
Built To Last: Material Choices
We offer several material options for inlays and onlays, each with its own advantages.
- Porcelain is the most popular choice. It looks incredibly natural, resists staining, and is strong enough for back teeth. Porcelain mimics the translucency and light-reflecting properties of natural enamel, making it virtually invisible.
- Composite resin can be color-matched precisely to your tooth and is slightly more affordable than porcelain. It’s strong, durable, and bonds well to tooth structure.
- Gold alloy is exceptionally strong and long-lasting. While it’s not tooth-colored, some patients prefer gold for back teeth due to its superior durability and biocompatibility.
Our doctors will help you choose the material that best fits your needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
Finding The Right Restoration
Choosing between a filling, inlay/onlay, or crown depends on the extent of damage and the location of the tooth.
- Fillings are best for small to moderate cavities where most of the tooth structure is still intact. They’re placed directly in the tooth during a single visit.
- Inlays and onlays are ideal for moderate damage that’s too extensive for a filling but doesn’t require a full crown. They provide superior strength and fit compared to large fillings.
- Crowns are necessary when a tooth is severely damaged, has had root canal treatment, or has large existing fillings that have failed. Crowns cover the entire tooth for maximum protection.
We’ll always recommend the most conservative option that gives you a predictable result and preserves the most natural tooth structure.
Same-Day Restorations With CEREC®
Our CEREC technology allows us to design, mill, and place inlays and onlays in a single visit. No messy impressions. No temporary restorations. No waiting weeks for a dental lab.
We prepare your tooth by removing decay and shaping it to receive the restoration. A digital scanner captures a 3D image of your tooth. Our doctors design your custom inlay or onlay using specialized software. The CEREC machine mills your restoration from a solid block of porcelain or composite in about 15 minutes. We bond the finished restoration to your tooth, check your bite, and polish it to perfection.
You walk out with a complete, permanent restoration the same day. No second visit is required.
Long-Term Benefits You Can Count On
Inlays and onlays offer several long-term advantages over large fillings:
- Superior strength and durability
- Better resistance to wear and fracture
- Excellent seal that prevents bacteria from entering
- Maintains more natural tooth structure
- Less likely to cause sensitivity
- Easier to clean and maintain
With proper care like brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, inlays and onlays can last 15 to 20 years or more. They’re an investment in your tooth’s long-term health and function.
The Smart Solution For Moderate Damage
At Dental Designs of Stroud, inlays and onlays provide a conservative, durable alternative to crowns for teeth with moderate damage. Our team combines precision dentistry with advanced CEREC technology to deliver restorations that look natural, feel comfortable, and last for years.
Call our Stroud, OK office or book online to schedule your consultation. We’ll evaluate your tooth, discuss your options, and create a restoration that protects your smile for the long haul.