Coeur d'Alene dentist, Dentist in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns. These partial crowns are utilized when there is still a healthy enamel portion of the tooth. An inlay or onlay is a like a puzzle piece that will be fitted into the remaining portion of the tooth to help increase its strength. This piece is usually crafted out of porcelain or gold, but can also be made of a composite material. We will make the determination as to which restoration will work best in your specific situation.

An inlay is used when there is not damage to any of the cusps of your tooth and is essentially place within these cusps. An onlay is used when there is slightly more extensive damage to the tooth structure. This type of restoration is placed over at least one of the cusps on the tooth.

Procedure

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth. Once we have removed the decay, we will take an optical image of the tooth. This image will be used to design the final inlay/onlay, and then sent to the CEREC machine for milling. This will take up to 15 minutes.

After the inlay/onlay has been completely milled, we will try it in to be sure it fits properly between your tooth and the adjacent teeth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new restoration feels exactly like one of your natural teeth. The final step in the process is to cement the inlay/onlay into your mouth, and adjusting it according to your bite so it isn't too high, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.