Dental Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are long lasting ceramic restorations that both look and feel like your own teeth.

They are used in the place of direct conventional dental fillings. The two types are classified by the amount of tooth structure which they replace and their design characteristics.

Inlays sit within the natural tooth structure used to fill prepared cavities within the tooth. Onlays sit over the tooth and can be very similar in design to an inlay but possess a portion which overlays part the natural tooth to provide increased strength to that overlayed section. Onlays differ from conventional crowns as they do not cover the entire tooth and therefore conserve tooth structure when possible and appropriate.

Please take the time to view our Smile Gallery for some examples where our Sunshine Coast and Brisbane dentists have used inlays and onlays to replace old amalgam (silver) fillings at our Sunshine Coast and Brisbane practices:

If the tooth is severely damaged, this type of restoration may not be adequate and your dentist may prefer to place a crown.

Why would I get an Inlay/Onlay?

Inlays and Onlays are preferred in situations when a tooth requires more strength than that which a conventional filling can impart. Inlays and Onlays provide greater strength as they can be made from metals such as gold or dental ceramics and porcelains. The benefits of Inlays and Onlays over conventional filling materials include:

• Greater Strength
• Improve Cosmetics of porcelain and ceramics
• Greater Longevity
• Higher Fracture Resistance

How is an Inlay/Onlay made?

Dental Inlay and Onlays require two appointments as they are fabricated offsite through one of the best local Sunshine Coast dental laboratory. The dentist will initially prepare the tooth to have an Inlay or Onlay placed, this will require minimal reduction of the tooth due to the advanced dental materials used. Following this at Avenue Dental the dentist uses the latest in digital scanning technology to communicate with the lab the desired outcome.

The second appointment is simply for cementation of the fabricated dental restoration which restores the tooth to its former size and shape with improved strength.

Between appointments no cavities are left in teeth as interim restorations are placed.

Avenue Dental for Inlays and Onlays

Across all Avenue Dental practices our dentists are trained to assess all teeth and provide Inlays and Onlays as required. Avenue Dental works with the best local dental laboratory to ensure we uphold the highest standard in all our work. As we back our workmanship and that of the dental laboratory we partner with, we offer a 5-year guarantee on our Inlays and Onlays for peace of mind.

At your regular hygiene or another consultation at any of our friendly Sunshine Coast and Brisbane dental practices in Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Bli Bli, North Lakes, Baringa, Sippy Downs, Tewantin, Murrumba Downs, Beerwah and Woolloongabba your dentist will discuss they could perform better than a filling.