Inlays and Onlays in Santa Monica
When your tooth has sustained more damage than a regular filling can fix but not enough to require a full crown, our inlays and onlays offer the perfect middle ground. At our dental office in Santa Monica, we specialize in these minimally invasive restorations to protect and strengthen your teeth while preserving as much of your natural enamel as possible.
Crafted with precision and designed to last, our inlay and onlay solutions are ideal for restoring the look and function of your smile without unnecessary tooth removal.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are restorative dental treatments made outside the mouth in a lab or with digital CAD/CAM technology and then permanently bonded to the tooth. The difference between them lies in how much of the tooth they cover:
- Inlays fit within the grooves of the tooth, between the cusps.
- Onlays cover one or more cusps, sometimes extending over the entire chewing surface.
Both are custom-made from strong materials like porcelain, composite resin, or metal alloys. They’re built to mimic your natural teeth’s shape, color, and strength, offering a more durable alternative to large fillings.
Are You a Good Candidate for Inlays or Onlays?
These restorations are particularly useful for patients dealing with:
- Mid-sized Cavities: When decay is too widespread for a filling but not extensive enough for a full crown.
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Especially when damage affects the biting surface but the tooth is otherwise intact.
- Replacing Old Fillings: Ideal for upgrading deteriorating or oversized fillings that compromise tooth strength.
- Grinding-Related Wear: Helps restore teeth worn down from chronic clenching or bruxism.
- Cosmetic Enhancements: Great for reshaping or brightening teeth with visible flaws like stains or irregular contours.
Benefits of Choosing Inlays and Onlays
There are many reasons why patients in Santa Monica opt for this treatment over traditional fillings or crowns:
Improved Bite Function
Built to Last
Natural Look
Precision Fit
What to Expect During the Inlay/Onlay Procedure
We follow a two-appointment process to ensure top-notch results and long-term success:
Visit 1: Tooth Prep and Impression
After numbing the area, we remove decayed or damaged portions of the tooth while preserving all healthy tissue. The prepared site is then scanned or molded to create a precise model of your tooth. A temporary restoration is placed to protect your tooth until the final inlay or onlay is ready.
Visit 2: Final Placement
Your custom restoration is tried in and evaluated for comfort, color, and fit. Once everything looks and feels right, we bond it in place using strong dental adhesives. Any bite issues are adjusted, and the surface is polished to blend seamlessly with your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
When correctly performed, professional fluoride treatments prove exceptionally safe with minimal adverse reactions. Brief taste alterations may develop but disappear rapidly.
