Inlays and Onlays in Lakeland, Florida

Restorative dentistry is all about finding the right fit for each patient. At Crosby Dentistry, we are happy to explore several options to find the best procedure to restore a healthy smile. Inlays and onlays offer a fantastic alternative that lives somewhere between a dental filling and a new crown. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality dental restorations to our neighbors in Lakeland, FL. We want every person who walks through our doors to feel confident that they are receiving the best care for their unique situation.

When you visit our office in Lakeland, FL, we focus on saving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Modern dentistry has come a long way, and we now have many advanced dental restoration options to fix tooth damage without needing to remove the whole tooth. Whether you are dealing with a small cavity or more extensive damage, we are here to help you understand your choices and keep your smile looking its best.

What Is an Inlay?

When decay or infection causes a cavity to form in the tooth, a dental filling is usually the best option to remove the infection and fill the void. However, sometimes the cavity in the tooth is too large to use a traditional filling. Instead of extracting the tooth entirely, an inlay can provide a suitable alternative. An inlay is made of porcelain that looks and feels like a natural tooth. The porcelain is molded and placed inside the tooth’s cavity, filling the void while still retaining the majority of the natural tooth. Inlays are used to fix cavities in teeth when a traditional dental filling would be too small.

Dental inlays are often referred to as indirect restorations because they are made outside of the mouth in a dental laboratory. Unlike composite fillings that are packed into the tooth during one visit, a customized inlay is crafted to fit perfectly into the grooves of a tooth. This provides a much stronger result for a larger area of dental decay that a simple filling just couldn’t handle.

What Is an Onlay?

Comparatively, an onlay is used to help fill the cavity inside the tooth and work to cover areas on the cusps, or surface, of the tooth. Onlays tend to be larger than an inlay but not quite as large as a crown. An onlay is made of resin by taking a mold of the damaged tooth. The onlay is made to look and feel just like a natural tooth, so it will seamlessly blend into your smile.

You might hear a dental professional call an onlay restoration a partial crown. This is because it covers the biting surface of the tooth while leaving the healthy tooth structure near the gum line alone. When there is too much damage for an inlay but you still have much healthy tooth structure left, a dental onlay is usually the best option to restore tooth strength.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

Choosing inlays or onlays over other dental restorations offers many benefits for your oral health. Because these are custom-made from ceramic materials or high-quality composite materials, they are incredibly tough. They can withstand the pressure of chewing much better than traditional composite resin fillings.

Other key benefits include:

• They help save the natural tooth structure, which is always better for long-term dental health.
• They are easier to clean than a full dental crown, which helps prevent future gum disease.
• The fit is extremely tight, which stops bacteria from getting back into areas of decay.
• They won’t change color over time, so they keep your smile looking bright and natural.
• They provide a better night’s sleep by knowing your tooth is protected by a solid, long-lasting material.

What Does an Inlay or Onlay Procedure Involve?

Using inlays and onlays is a straightforward procedure that can usually be completed in just two dental appointments. During the first appointment, Dr. Crosby will remove the infection or decay from the affected tooth. Then, a simple mold will be created using soft wax. A temporary filling will be applied to the tooth to protect the void until your inlay or onlay is made. The mold is sent to a laboratory, where a professional will work to create a customized finished product.

Once the final inlay or onlay is created and sent back to our office, you will have a second appointment with Dr. Crosby. At this appointment, the temporary filling will be removed and replaced with the permanent inlay or onlay. The dentist will work to blend the new fixture into your natural smile, making minor adjustments to ensure it fits just perfectly. The dentist will also ensure that there is plenty of room between your teeth to allow for flossing and that your bite pattern remains even and comfortable. Fitting your new inlay or onlay will take only a short amount of time, but you will be left with a beautiful, fresh new smile.

Why We Focus on Conservative Dental Care

Our goal is always to keep your natural teeth healthy for as long as we can. When we use an inlay or an onlay, we are practicing conservative dentistry. This means we only remove the portion of the tooth that is actually damaged. Traditional crowns require us to remove a lot of the part of the tooth that is still healthy just to make the crown fit. By choosing dental inlays or onlays, we keep more of your natural tooth structure intact.

This approach is better for your tooth’s long-term strength. The more natural teeth you have, the more stable your bite will be. While we also offer dental implants for teeth that cannot be saved, we always try to find an indirect restoration that allows you to keep your own tooth first. This is why we carefully check the size of the cavity and the surface area of the damage before recommending a plan.

How Long Do Inlays and Onlays Last?

One of the most attractive benefits of inlays and onlays is their tremendous longevity. Most inlays and onlays can last at least fifteen years, with many lasting thirty years or longer. Of course, taking care of your inlays and onlays is key to getting the most out of them.

As with other restorative dental fixtures, you will want to make sure you keep up with good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice per day, and floss at least once daily. While inlays and onlays are made of solid materials, you will want to take care not to chip or crack them. Try to avoid eating hard foods like nuts and ice that could inadvertently damage your inlays and onlays. With the right care, you can keep your smile beautiful for years.