Dentist
Can Altuğ Kaya
Practicing aesthetic dentistry, laser-assisted dentistry and implant-supported prostheses in Alsancak, İzmir. Founding dentist of Dentorion Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic.
- Born
- 1962 · Zara
- Graduated
- 1984 · Ege University
Inlay/onlay restorations are aesthetic fillings prepared in a laboratory to restore teeth that need large fillings or have had root canal treatment. Inlays and onlays are made of porcelain or fiber-reinforced composite. The choice of material depends on whether the opposing teeth are natural, composite or porcelain.
Why Choose Inlay / Onlay Restorations?
The main reason they are preferred is that less tooth structure needs to be removed. Only the decayed tissue is cleaned, and then an impression of the tooth is taken. The porcelain or composite inlay/onlay fillings prepared in the laboratory are then bonded to the teeth with adhesive systems. This method has many advantages for dental and gum health.
What Are the Advantages of Inlay / Onlay Restorations?
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They Are Aesthetic
Because inlay and onlay restorations can be made of porcelain and composite materials, they look so natural that their color cannot be distinguished from our own teeth.
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They Are Long-Lasting
With this method, after the decay is removed, an impression of the teeth is taken (digitally or with a putty-like material) and a model of the tooth is made in the laboratory.
A porcelain or composite filling is made on this model. Fabricating fillings outside the mouth allows them to be finished in greater detail. Composite material processed outside the mouth shows less polymerization shrinkage and greater durability. This filling, made outside the mouth, is then bonded with adhesive systems into the cavities where the decay was removed.
They are also more resistant to wear and chewing pressure than conventional filling materials, and they help prevent fractures caused by biting forces.
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They Preserve the Remaining Healthy Tooth Structure
Inlays/onlays (porcelain or composite fillings prepared in a laboratory) are applied especially to root canal-treated teeth or to tooth surfaces with advanced decay. In these teeth, too little healthy tooth structure remains after the decay is removed. This makes it impossible to establish contact with the neighboring teeth. Without a contact point with the neighboring tooth, food easily gets trapped in between, causing problems in the tooth tissue and gums. Because inlay and onlay fillings are prepared on a model, the desired anatomical form and contact are easily achieved. As a result, dental and gum health is preserved after treatment.
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Minimal Risk of Marginal Leakage and New Decay
The advantage of this treatment is that, when the restoration is made in a laboratory, it can be worked on in much more detail and more efficiently than in the mouth. This gives the restoration much better margins and reduces marginal leakage. The negative effects of moisture, saliva and blood, which interfere with bonding and curing when a filling is made in the mouth, are also minimized. This helps the teeth stay as healthy as before.
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The Fit Between Tooth and Restoration Is Very Precise
The goal of dentistry is to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. That is why, when teeth can be restored with a more conservative method, your dentist may recommend inlays and onlays instead of crowns.
How Long Do Inlay and Onlay Restorations Last?
The lifespan of inlay or onlay restorations depends on the material, the condition of the tooth, chewing forces, how carefully the patient maintains oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. They generally function well for decades.
How Are Inlay / Onlay Restorations Applied?
- Because inlays and onlays are prepared in a laboratory, they can be completed in two appointments.
- At the first appointment, the decay is removed and an impression of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth is taken (digitally or with a putty-like impression material). The cavity is sealed with a temporary filling material, and the impression is sent to the laboratory.
- At the second appointment, the temporary filling is removed and the inlay/onlay from the laboratory is tried in. The tooth is prepared for bonding, and the inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth with a special adhesive. The dentist then adjusts the bite precisely and polishes the restoration.
What Is the Difference Between an Inlay and an Onlay?
The difference lies in the area they cover. Inlays are more like fillings but sit between the cusps (tubercles) on the chewing surface of the teeth. An onlay is made to cover one or more cusps as well.
Do Inlay / Onlay Restorations Require Special Care?
The only care needed for inlays and onlays to last a long time is a regular oral care routine of brushing, flossing and regular dental visits.