Procedure of Inlay and Onlay
The dental procedure for inlays and onlays is one and the same. Both of them require two visit to your cosmetic dentist’s office. The initial visit is one where the dentist prepares the damaged tooth structures by removing all bacteria or caries and cleaning the remaining portions of the tooth. An impression is then taken of the tooth (sometimes accompanied by a digital photo or x-ray) and then is submitted to a qualified dental lab for custom fabrication of the inlay or onlay. The patient’s tooth is filled with a temporary filling material, which is removed once the customized inlay or onlay is seated.
The second appointment usually occurs within two weeks of the initial visit. This final appointment consists of seating the laboratory-crafted inlay or onlay into the affected tooth. First, the temporary filling material is removed, then the tooth is cleaned and finally the inlay or onlay is bonded to the existing tooth structure. Cosmetic dentists generally need to adjust the patient’s bite to ensure that the inlay or onlay fits and functions well when the patient bites down. All points of contact with adjacent teeth are checked and the inlay or onlay is polished to a smooth enamel-like finish.
Materials used in the procedure of inlays and onlays of cosmetic dentistry
In order to ensure their longevity during rigorous daily wear and tear, the material composition of inlays and onlays should be durable and superior. Cosmetic dentists generally like dental laboratories to use are either porcelain or resin; these materials are custom fabricated to match the patient’s tooth enamel color.
Another material used to make inlay or onlay restorations is gold. Gold is most often used on molars in the posterior (back) portions of the mouth, as the color distinction makes the inlay or onlay very visible to the eye.
For visible sight lines, porcelain offers the best esthetic choice. With restorations in the smile line (the areas of the mouth that are visible when a patient smiles), the goal is to match the patient’s tooth color. Often times, patients will bleach their teeth before the inlay or onlay process has begun in order to have the ideal inlay/onlay color.
Resin is a great alternative for patients who grind or clench their teeth. This material is also helpful when used on patients with bite concerns such as malocclusion (a misalignment of the bite).
As more and more cosmetic dentists utilize inlays and onlays, the material make-up of these restorations has improved dramatically over time and as a result, grown stronger and more durable. Cosmetic Dentists review options with their patients before proceeding in order to determine the most appropriate material for the given restoration. Dentists usually send their laboratories copious notes and digitized images to ensure the fabrication process is successful. In addition, cosmetic dentist will often communicate verbally with their dental lab professionals regarding the design of individual inlay or onlay cases. These tiny restorations are handcrafted and require a tremendous amount of skill when being sculpted. Therefore, both the dental lab and the dentist must be qualified professionals who enjoy a superior level of precision in their work.
