.png?width=80&height=80&name=image%20(9).png "image (9)")
Inlays and Onlays Treatment in Santa Monica
At Clove Dental in Santa Monica, we offer specialized inlays and onlays to fix damaged teeth. These treatments are a top choice for repairing moderate to extensive tooth problems. They're a great alternative to traditional crowns or very large fillings. We use careful craftsmanship and advanced technology to create custom restorations that blend right in with your natural teeth. This means long-lasting function and beautiful results that will boost your smile.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are custom dental restorations. We use them to repair teeth with moderate to extensive damage while keeping as much of your healthy tooth as possible. Unlike a filling done right in the office, these are made in a special dental lab. They use high-quality materials that perfectly match your natural teeth.
- Inlays fit specifically within the biting surface of your tooth. Think of them like a puzzle piece filling a damaged area, but they don't extend over the tooth's pointed chewing parts (cusps).
- Onlays cover more of the tooth. They extend over one or more of the chewing cusps, offering more complete protection for bigger areas of damage. People sometimes call them "partial crowns."
When Are Inlays and Onlays Recommended?
- Large Cavities: When a cavity is too big for a regular filling, but there's still plenty of healthy tooth left that doesn't need a full crown.
- Cracked or Broken Teeth: For teeth with cracks or breaks, but still enough healthy structure to support a partial restoration.
- Replacing Old, Large Fillings: If an old filling (amalgam or composite) has failed or weakened the tooth, inlays or onlays can replace it.
- Enamel Issues: To fix problems with your tooth enamel, whether from development issues or wear.
- After a Root Canal: To strengthen teeth that have had a root canal, giving them extra support without needing a full crown.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Choosing an inlay or onlay at our Santa Monica practice offers several advantages:
Saves More Tooth
We only remove the damaged part, keeping as much of your natural, healthy tooth structure as possible.
Great Fit and Function
Very Durable
Look Natural
The Inlay and Onlay Treatment Process
Our team in Santa Monica follows a careful process, usually over two appointments, to ensure the best results:
- First Visit: Exam & Preparation
- We'll do a thorough exam, including digital imaging, to check your tooth and plan the treatment.
- Then, we carefully remove only the damaged part of your tooth, keeping the healthy structure intact.
- We'll take precise molds of your tooth. These molds go to a special lab where your custom inlay or onlay will be made.
- We'll place a temporary covering on your tooth to protect it and keep it functional while your permanent restoration is being crafted.
- Second Visit: Placement
- Once your custom inlay or onlay arrives from the lab, we'll carefully fit and adjust it.
- Then, we permanently bond it to your tooth using strong dental adhesives.
- Finally, we'll check your bite again and give you instructions on how to care for your new restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's nothing really unusual. Simply continue practicing good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice a day and scheduling regular dental examinations and cleanings. They will also last a very long time if you avoid really hard meals (such as biting on ice) and be aware of if you grind or clench your teeth (we can talk about a nightguard).
