Inlay, Onlay and Overlay
Reconstructing damaged teeth through prosthetic implants. An excellent alternative to crowns and superior to classical fillings from an aesthetic and functional point of view.
DENTAL PROSTHETIC IMPLANTS
Inlay, onlay and overlay are prosthetic indirect fillings to address and restore damaged teeth. The procedure is far less invasive than crowns and unlike normal fillings that are fitted and moulded in the mouth, these artificial implants are created through precision in a laboratory. They are essentially the same thing and only differs in their size and position on the treated tooth. An inlay gets get used in the middle of the tooth without any contact with other teeth while an onlay is bigger, allowing it to make contact and connect with the upper teeth when biting down. Overlays cover the inner and outer parts on the top of the tooth to preserve the tooth’s inner substance.Â
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These are excellent alternatives to classical fillings as they are stronger and longer lasting. They appear almost invisible and allow the better treatment of hard-to-reach teeth in the back of the mouth. When compared to crowns they are less invasive to the current tooth structure and the process is far less complicated.Â
BENEFITS OF
INLAY, ONLAY & OVERLAY
BENEFITS OF INLAY, ONLAY & OVERLAY
• Minimally invasive
• Natural looking
• Long-lasting
• Biomechanical
• Biocompatible
• Antibacterial
• Economical
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The most common use for them is to treat and plug teeth that were damaged by caries and trauma. They are also useful in wide range of other dental conditions like: Old restorations, Tooth malocclusions, Tooth fractures, Tooth discolorations, Veneering of old crowns, Anatomical malformations, Abrasion, Erosion, Cosmetic correction, Lifting of the vertical dimension in the posterior region.
No, an onlay only covers the tooth’s cusp while a crown covers the entire biting surface of the tooth above the gum.
The dentist still needs to prepare and sterilise the area on which the inlay, onlay and overlay will fit. There will thus be some cleaning, drilling and preparation required and to desensitise the tooth for this they will numb the area with local anaesthesia. In some rare instances the surrounding tissue around the tooth might remain sensitive for a couple of days post treatment.
Onlays are very durable and long-lasting. They will however not last a lifetime and most last between 10 and 15 years.
