Summit Dental of La Mesa provides patients with an array of treatments and cosmetic options to maintain oral health and beautiful smiles.   

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are extremely durable restorationsmade of ceramic, gold, or composite resin. Fabricated by a dental laboratory and bonded to the damaged area of a tooth. An inlay is similar to a filling that is placed and bonded to the decayed or damaged area near the outer surface of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial restoration, similar to an inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Onlays are necessary to repair more severe damage to one or more cusps of teeth. 

Inlay and onlay procedures

Inlays and onlays are indirect fillings and will require at least two dental appointments.  At your first appointment, we prepare the tooth by removing any old filling and cleaning the decayed or damaged area.  We take an impression of the tooth and send it to a lab to create a custom inlay or onlay.  We then place a temporary filling on the tooth. 

At your second appointment, we remove the temporary filling, and the inlay or onlay is then placed and bonded to the tooth, giving strength to the tooth structure. 

Advantages of porcelain inlays and onlays 

Inlays and Onlays offer many advantages, including: 

  • Custom fitting:  Inlays and onlays take minimal preparation. First, an impression of the damaged tooth is taken, and then a mold is created to fit tightly on the tooth. 
  • Natural look and feel: A tooth-colored filling is used to match the existing tooth color.  As these inlays and onlays are custom made to fit precisely, they will function like your natural teeth and are stain-resistant.   
  • Long-lasting and safe: These custom-made inlays and onlays are durable, and once bonded to the tooth, will not crack, contract, or expand with hot or cold foods or drinks, and last a long time.  

If your tooth is incomplete or has sustained severe damage from an injury or decay, you may need a dental inlay or onlay in La Mesa, California. The team at Summit Dental of La Mesa is caring and gentle when restoring patients’ smiles, and our conservative treatments can offer solutions to all your dental problems. We encourage you to end the discomfort of dental caries or damage and call Summit Dental of La Mesa at (619) 494-2492 for a consultation.