Cosmetic Restoration with

Inlays & Onlays

for a Healthy Smile in Savage and the Greater Minneapolis Metro

Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays are unique restoration procedures that involve bonding a restoration to a tooth in a manner that strengths that tooth, as opposed to weakening it like many other restoration options do. Inlays and onlays might be suggested by your dentist if you are experiencing tooth decay or damage.

Dental inlays are a prosthetic that is generally made with porcelain or ceramic, but can also be made with gold, that are placed inside the grooves of the biting area or indented top surfaces of a tooth. These inlays will help restore the strength of your tooth, which in turn will allow you to better bite down and chew. Along with the added restored strength, dental inlays will also improve the overall cosmetic appearance of your mouth.

Onlays are used when more tooth structure has been lost and are made from the same filling as inlays, though the onlays will extend to the cusp of the tooth. For example, a crown is a type of onlay that covers the entire surface of the tooth. Once the onlay has been properly set, you will find you have regained a great deal of your strength and will be able to better chew and bite.

Nearly all patients are candidates for inlays and onlays. At Cherrywood Dental Care, there is nothing we love more than watching our patients discover a brilliant new smile. Please contact our staff to see if inlays and onlays are right for you. Our clinic is proud to provide the comprehensive care you need to improve your dental health and is committed to returning even the most damaged mouths back to full health.

Book An Appointment

Call Cherrywood Dental Care

(952) 440-9303

Procedural Expectations

The inlay and onlay procedure are nearly identical to one another. During your appointment, your dentist will remove decay from the affected tooth. Once they have assessed the severity of the damage, they will determine whether an inlay or onlay is appropriate for your particular case. Once they have settled on an inlay or outlay, an impression will be made and sent to the lab. Your dentist will then schedule a follow up
appointment, where they will check the fit of the inlay and onlay, and upon deciding it is correctly fitted, will complete the placement process.

Benefits

One of the primary benefits to having an inlay or an onlay placed, as opposed to a filling or a crown, is the cost involved. Inlays and onlays are generally much cheaper than the other two procedures. Another benefit is that onlays fit extremely well, which allows you to keep the area around it much cleaner to avoid any future decay. Inlays and onlays also come with the added benefit of preserving more of your natural healthy tooth, which is always preferable to fillings or other materials.

This is not to say that inlays and onlays are always a better option than crowns. Generally, inlays and onlays will be used when your dentist only needs to replace less than 50% of your tooth. If the area your dentist is attempting to restore is greater than 50%, then inlays and onlays may not be your best option.

Inlay & Onlay Aftercare

Immediately following your treatment, your mouth may be a bit numb or irritated from the procedure. During this period, it is best to avoid extremely hot or extremely cold beverages and also avoid chewing sticky foods.

Once the numbness has gone away, you will not have to restrict your diet or eating habits to maintain the inlays and onlays; however it is important to consider why you had this procedure done in the first place. The most common reason for this procedure occurring is poor oral health habits. Therefore, be sure you continue practicing good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily and continue scheduling dentist appointments every six months. During these checkups, your dentist can keep your up to date on the current health of your inlay or onlay and potentially warn you about developing decay, thereby preventing a potential root canal or even removal of your tooth.

Remember: if you continue to take good care of your teeth, your teeth will continue to take good care of you!

Associated Costs

Like most dental procedures, what is covered by your insurance depends on your individual insurance plan. Still, most insurance plans cover inlays and onlays procedures. Keep in mind that your insurance plan may not cover 100% of the costs, so be prepared to pay some of the costs out of pocket. If you do not currently have dental coverage or would like to discuss payment options, please contact our staff to see what
opportunities may be available.

High Quality Care You Can Trust

Undergoing any dental procedure can be a nerve wracking experience, but finding a dentist that understands your needs can make all the difference in the world. At Cherrywood Dental, we are committed to providing you with top notch care using state-of-the art technology. If you would like to meet our team, take a tour of our facilities, or discuss the inlays and onlays procedure with our knowledgeable staff, please let us know. Our team is here to ensure that all your dental needs are met.

Contact Cherrywood Dental Care

Having inlays and onlays placed can significantly impact and improve the lives of those with damaged teeth. Scheduling an appointment for inlays and onlays is the first step towards being confident in your smile once again. We are here to help you begin your journey towards the perfect smile! Please contact us to set up an appointment for inlays and onlays at (952) 440-9303.

At Cherrywood Dental, we are passionate about your smile and committed to providing you with the quality care you need in Savage and the Greater Minneapolis Metro!