Porcelain Inlays & Onlays in St. Catharine's, ON
Your teeth are very strong, but they are still susceptible to damage. For example, if good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing and flossing are not kept, teeth could become affected with tooth decay (cavities). Additionally, injury or trauma could cause damage to teeth. Small areas of damage, such as cavities, can usually be effectively treated with a dental filling, while serious damage or decay may call for a crown. Sometimes, however, the damage falls in between these two situations, where a filling is not sufficient to treat the problem, but a crown would require excessive dental work. For these cases, a dental inlay or onlay could be the answer. Your dentist at Monarch Dentistry can examine the damaged tooth or teeth in order to determine the best treatment for you in Ontario.
Benefits of inlays and onlays
Both restorations are custom-made for a patient and are bonded to an affected tooth or teeth. In this way, they effectively repair damage and restore functionality and appearance to a tooth. Benefits of both restorations include:
- Preserve more of the natural tooth (dental crowns require a certain portion of a tooth to be filed down)
- Look natural
- Strengthen the structure of a tooth
- Are durable and withstand forces well
Dental inlay
Dental inlays are used when the damage on a tooth is located between the cusp tips (in the center of the tooth). They are made of tooth-colored materials such as ceramic, porcelain, or composite to produce a natural-looking restoration. To have an inlay placed in Ontario, any decay will first be removed from a tooth. It will then be cleaned before an impression will be taken of it. A dental lab will use the impression to create the inlay. A temporary covering will be placed on the prepared tooth to keep it protected until the inlay is ready to be placed. Once it has been completed, the inlay will be bonded onto the prepared tooth.
Dental onlay
If the damage on a tooth is located on the cusp, or if multiple teeth are affected, an onlay will be used. The process for creating and placing onlays is the same for an inlay.
To treat a damaged tooth in Ontario, contact Monarch Dentistry to discuss the possibility of having inlays or onlays placed.
FAQs
Porcelain inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations crafted in a dental lab, then bonded to your tooth, unlike traditional fillings, which are shaped directly in your mouth.
An inlay fits within the cusps (grooves) of a tooth’s chewing surface, while an onlay covers one or more cusps, sometimes acting like a partial crown.
When tooth damage or decay is too advanced for a filling but doesn’t yet require a full crown, porcelain inlays or onlays provide a durable, natural-looking solution that restores strength and appearance.
They help preserve healthy tooth structure and avoid unnecessary removal of enamel, something a full crown might require.
Porcelain inlays/onlays provide a natural, tooth-colored appearance that blends with your smile and resists staining.
They are durable and long-lasting, often surviving many years (in some cases decades) with proper care.
Unlike crowns, they allow your dentist to keep most of your natural tooth intact, treating only the part that’s damaged.
Typically, the process involves two visits. On the first visit, the dentist removes the decay and takes an impression (or digital scan) of the tooth. A temporary restoration may be placed while the custom inlay/onlay is fabricated.
At your follow-up appointment, the porcelain inlay or onlay is permanently bonded to your tooth and polished to match your bite and natural tooth appearance.
Porcelain inlays and onlays are highly durable restorations that can last 10–20 years or more when you maintain strong oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly.
Because of their strength and resistance to wear, they tend to be more durable than standard fillings.
Porcelain inlays/onlays are most commonly used for back teeth (molars and premolars) that endure chewing forces.
However, in some cases, for example, minor or moderate cracks in front teeth porcelain inlays/onlays may still be considered to restore strength and appearance.
Treat your smile with care. Brush twice a day, floss every day, and maintain the same routine you follow for your natural teeth.
TAvoid habits that can cause undue stress, like biting on very hard objects or clenching/grinding teeth. Regular dental check-ups help monitor the integrity of the restoration