High River Inlays and Onlays

For rear teeth affected by decay and damage, inlays and onlays are a popular restoration option. Used chiefly for mild problems, inlays and onlays are a simple, fast and safe way to restore your teeth to their original state. Highwood Dental is pleased to offer a full range of restorative dentistry treatments to keep you smiling, including inlays and onlays.

A dental inlay is a pre-molded filling that is carefully fitted into the grooves of your tooth, used most often to deal with cavities that are in the center of your tooth rather than along the outer edges or “cusps.” A dental onlay fits over the entire biting surface of your tooth and is made of one solid piece of material. It is used to correct a tooth that is damaged by injury or decay.

Onlays are similar to inlays, but cover far more of the tooth. The main difference between the two is their coverage and application. Inlays are primarily used for lesser problems and only help when the damage is confined to the tooth’s surface, such as hollows and cavities between the cups, primarily on the chewing surface. Dental onlays are used for more extensive problems where the damage extends beyond the surface of the tooth. They are larger and cover a wider area, usually beyond the biting area and on the sides of the tooth.

Dental Inlays are mainly used to contain decay or damage to the top grooves of the tooth. Inlays fill cavities on the chewing surface and are custom-made to fit the exact size and shape of the damage, providing a snug fit.

Dental Onlays are used on teeth where the damage is beyond the surface, has reached one or more cusps, or covers a wider area. Similar to inlays, onlays are also tailored to fit snugly over damaged cusps, extending beyond the biting surface and sides of the tooth. They offer more extensive coverage compared to inlays.

An attractive alternative to composite fillings, inlays and onlays offer an exceptional amount of strength that make them an excellent choice for supporting weakened molars or back teeth. For teeth that must stand up to heavy chewing, teeth that are decayed or teeth that have previously undergone extensive restoration, inlays and onlays can offer superb protection and restoration. Different from crowns which cover the entire tooth, inlays and onlays are intended to protect a particular part of the tooth and require less tooth preparation as a result. The main difference between the two is how much of the tooth they cover. Dental inlays and onlays are great options for teeth that have mild fractures, tooth decay or damage. They are not as invasive as crowns but offer similar protection and support. On the spectrum of restorative dentistry, dental inlays and onlays fall between fillings and dental crowns; they are used when traditional fillings are deemed insufficient, but a dental crown is too invasive. Similar to crowns, inlays and onlays are made of porcelain or composite resin.

• Made from high-quality material
• Durable and long-lasting with proper care
• Treats tooth decay while preserving the structure of the tooth
• Eliminates tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
• Provides a natural appearance