patient procedures | inlays and onlays

When over half of the biting surface of a tooth is damaged, Dr. Schlossberg will often use an inlay or onlay. What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin.

These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay is similar to a filling and is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth; an onlay is a more considerable reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

As a result of increasing the strength of a tooth by up to 75% they can last from ten to thirty years. In contrast, traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50%.

Conventionally, the material of choice for inlays and on-lays has been gold but in recent years porcelain has become increasingly popular. Porcelain, because of its strength and color, can potentially match the natural color of your teeth considerably better than other materials.