Understanding the Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

If you have a limited amount of decay in a tooth, we can correct it with a filling. If the decay has reached the sensitive pulp inside your tooth, it usually requires a root canal. Afterward, we fit a crown over the tooth to restore it.

But what happens if your tooth falls somewhere in between? If you need more than a filling but less than a root canal, we offer inlays and onlays. These customized restorations allow us to remove the decay and rebuild your tooth. 

If you’re dealing with tooth pain or another sign of decay, come see us at one of our Central Avenue Dental locations in Valley Stream, New York, or Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Our providers evaluate your tooth and decide what it needs.

If it’s an inlay or onlay, this guide helps you know what to expect, including the benefits of this kind of oral care. 

Inlay and onlay 101

Inlays and onlays are a more durable alternative to a large filling. With a filling, we remove the decayed part of your tooth, then seal the resulting hole. 

If the decay has progressed too far, we can’t take this relatively simple approach. That’s where inlays and onlays come in. Instead of simply filling the hole, we fabricate a replacement for the larger portion of your tooth that we’ll need to remove.

If the decayed area is confined inside the grooves of your teeth, we call that restoration an inlay. If the decay has reached one or more of the cusps of your tooth (the pointed part of the chewing surface), the restoration has to be bigger. We then call it an onlay.

You can think of it this way: An inlay lies in the center portion of your tooth. An onlay lies on top, rebuilding more of the surface. 

Either way, once we create the restoration, we bond it in place. 

What inlays and onlays can do for you

Once your inlay or onlay is in place, it gives you a long-lasting way to enjoy the full function of that tooth. It should look and feel just like your natural teeth. You’ll be able to chew and talk normally. 

Onlays and inlays stabilize your tooth more than a filling. If you required a large filling, it could compromise your tooth’s structural integrity. With an inlay or onlay, you get a sturdy solution that should last for years.

The longevity you get depends on the material you choose. If you get ceramic or porcelain, which we color-match to your tooth, it usually lasts a decade or more. A gold inlay or onlay can last 20 years or longer. 

As an added benefit, these restorations don’t require any special care. You just need to continue consistently brushing and flossing and visiting us for exams every six months. 

Don’t get less or more than your tooth needs. For a solution precisely fitted to your level of decay, call our Central Avenue Dental office nearest you or book online today.