Dental cavities seriously damage your teeth if you don’t treat them in time. At Névé Dental Clinic, we offer advanced restorative solutions such as inlays and onlays to treat carious lesions effectively and aesthetically. These techniques provide a durable alternative to traditional fillings, preserving the natural structure of your teeth while restoring their strength and beauty.

What are inlays and onlays?

We create custom inlays and onlays, indirect dental restorations, to fill cavities caused by decay. We typically use ceramic, composite, or gold and bond them to the tooth for precise and durable restoration.

• Inlay: We use inlays to restore small cavities within the cusps (points) of the teeth.
• Onlay: We use onlays to cover a larger surface area, including one or more cusps of the tooth, for more significant damage.

Advantages of inlays and onlays

• Aesthetic: Our ceramic or composite inlays and onlays blend with the natural color of your teeth, providing a discreet aesthetic result.
• Durability: Our restorations are extremely strong and can last for many years with proper care.
• Preservation of the tooth: Unlike crowns that require significant reduction of the tooth, our inlays and onlays preserve more of the natural tooth structure.
• Stability: Our inlays and onlays are custom-made to fit perfectly to the tooth, offering excellent stability and resistance to chewing.

How we perform inlay and onlay treatment

Examination and Diagnosis:

• Evaluation: First, during your consultation, our dentist examines your teeth and takes X-rays to assess the extent of the damage caused by decay.
• Treatment plan: Next, we develop a personalized treatment plan, including the recommendation of an inlay or onlay based on your tooth’s specific needs.

Preparation of the Tooth:

• Cleaning and preparation: First, we clean the affected tooth to remove any decay and prepare it to receive the inlay or onlay. Then, we take an impression of the tooth to create a custom restoration.
• Temporary: While waiting for the final inlay or onlay to be ready, we can place a temporary restoration on the tooth for protection.

Fabrication of the Inlay or Onlay:

• Custom-made: Next, we send the impression to a dental laboratory where the inlay or onlay is precisely crafted to fit the prepared tooth.

Placement of the Inlay or Onlay:

• Fixation: During your second appointment, we check the final inlay or onlay for a perfect fit. Then, we bond it to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive.
• Finishing: Finally, we polish the restoration to achieve a smooth surface and harmonious fit with the surrounding teeth.

Post-operative care and maintenance

Oral hygiene: To begin with, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily to prevent cavities and prolong the life of your restorations.

Regular check-ups: Additionally, schedule regular visits to the dentist for professional cleanings and check-ups to monitor the condition of your inlays and onlays.