Inlays / Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are used to restore the biting surface of teeth after it has been damaged.

Dental inlays are a restoration used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying within their indented top surfaces. Similar to fillings, inlays are custom-made to fit a prepared spot and lay inside the cusp tips of a tooth.

Onlays involve a more extensive reconstruction process, since they are typically used when a larger part of the tooth is damaged - often extending to one or more of the cusps.

The inlay/onlay process typically takes two office visits. During the first visit, your dentist will remove the tooth's decay and/or damage and prepare it to receive the inlay or onlay. Then, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth being treated and place a temporary sealant over the tooth. A dental lab will then create an inlay or onlay to match the tooth's exact specifications. During the second office vist, the temporary sealant will be removed and the newly created inlay or onlay will be placed and bonded on top of the tooth.

For more information on our Gainesville office dental procedures or if you have questions about inlays and onlays, please contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.