Inlay and Onlay
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are a solution between fillings and crowns. It is an aesthetic treatment method applied to teeth that do not have enough dental tissue to be filled or that have not been damaged enough to be covered.
What is the difference between inlay and onlay?
The difference between them is in the area they cover. Inlays are more like fillings, but they are located between the cusps (tubercles) on the chewing surface of the teeth. Onlay, on the other hand, is made to cover one or more mounds.
Inlays and onlays are made of ceramic or fiber reinforced composite.
Generally, after cleaning the caries in teeth that have had root canal treatment or severely decayed, insufficient healthy tooth tissue remains. Since the inlay and onlay are prepared on the model, the desired anatomical form and contact are easily achieved.
It is also more resistant to abrasions and chewing pressures than conventional filling material.
The life of the inlay or onlay filling depends on the condition of the tooth, chewing forces, how much attention the patient pays to oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. They usually continue their duties in a healthy way for decades.
- At the first appointment, the caries is cleaned, the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth are measured, the tooth is closed with a temporary filling material and the measurement is sent to the laboratory.
- In the second appointment, the temporary filling is removed and inlays or onlays are adhered to the tooth using a special adhesive.
The maintenance of inlays and onlays only requires regular oral care, which includes brushing, flossing and regular dental visits.