Arlington Heights dentist, Dentist in Arlington Heights, IL

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, 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

When we have decided to go ahead with an inlay or onlay, we will set aside 2-3 hours for the entire process. Using our digital imaging E4D machine and mill, we will have your beautiful new onlay bonded in place and ready in a single visit.

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth. Once we have removed the decay, we will take a digital scan of the tooth and bite registration. This scan will be used to design the inlay/onlay, which will be sent to our milling machine where your new restoration will be crafted. This process takes approximately an hour and a half.

We will proceed with the placement of your final restoration. The inlay/onlay will be fitted comfortably into the mouth to check the fit and esthetics. The restoration is then glazed and customized to match your natural surrounding teeth.This part of the process takes approximately an hour. 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 bond the inlay/onlay to the remaining tooth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.