Restore Your Smile
Living with broken or damaged teeth can be a source of distress during your everyday life. From eating to speaking and smiling, your lifestyle changes when you don’t have the full functionality of your teeth. Plus, dental health issues can affect your self-confidence, causing you to hide your smile or even avoid smiling altogether.
Thankfully, our dentists at Holyoke Mall Dental offer high-quality inlays and onlays — natural-looking solutions to help bring your smile back. Learn more about our inlay and onlay solutions and their benefits by reading our guide below.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlay and onlay restorations are personalized dental fillings, generally made of composite resin, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Many patients appreciate the way these restorations closely resemble natural teeth while restoring full functionality.
Inlay restorations are used to restore the tooth’s chewing surface, while onlays restores the chewing surface in addition to the cusps that extend out at the edges of the tooth.
The Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays can fix an array of dental problems, including:
- Broken, fractured, or decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large, unsightly fillings
- Cosmetic flaws
The Inlay and Onlay Placement Process
Placing an inlay or onlay is similar to the dental crown process. We’ll first administer an anesthetic, along with any sedation dentistry solution you may have chosen, to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
We’ll then remove any decayed areas of your tooth, preparing it for the restoration. After we’ve treated your tooth and made sure it’s completely clean, we’ll take a detailed impression to create your restoration. You’ll use a temporary restoration until your custom one returns from our prosthodontics specialist.
Once we’ve received your restoration, we’ll clean your tooth again to prepare it for placement. We’ll then securely attach the inlay or onlay to your tooth using a reliable dental-grade sealant. After a short waiting period, you’ll be ready to leave our office with a brand new, functional restoration!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between fillings and inlays and onlays?
Your dentist may recommend fillings as opposed to inlays and onlays depending on your condition. If you have a large cavity, an inlay or onlay will often be the best option. If the cavity hasn’t progressed yet, a filling may be enough to ward off tooth decay.
How long will my inlays and onlays last?
Your inlays and onlays are a long-term restoration that’s comfortable and natural-looking. With appropriate care, your restoration can last up to 30 years until you need a replacement. To extend the longevity of your restorations, your dentist recommends following these instructions:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss daily
- Schedule your biannual checkups and professional dental cleanings at Holyoke Dental Mall
Is the inlay or onlay procedure painful?
During the procedure, we administer a local anesthetic to make sure you won’t feel any pain. If you experience any discomfort following your procedure, we’ll usually prescribe over-the-counter medication to treat your pain.
If you continue to feel discomfort, contact our Holyoke office at (413) 538-7400 right away to schedule an appointment.
Will dental insurance cover inlays and onlays?
Many dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost of inlays and onlays. We recommend speaking to your insurance provider to find out about your coverage. We also offer financing options so you don’t have to delay your treatment. If you have any questions about the costs, call us at (413) 538-7400 to learn more.
Schedule Your Consultation at Holyoke Mall Dental
Our dentists at Holyoke Mall Dental work hard to ensure your smile stays healthy and restore it to full functionality after damage or decay. Contact us today at (413) 538-7400 to schedule your consultation at our Holyoke, MA office. You can also fill out our online contact form and our staff will be happy to help you out.