Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental Inlays and Onlays

In years past, dentists commonly used a combination of mercury and silver to fill your teeth. Due to the presence of a toxic element (mercury) being in the mouth, many people are opting to have the old fillings removed. It is becoming more popular now-a-days to have porcelain and ceramic  inlays installed, rather than to have unsightly metal fillings show when you laugh or smile. Porcelain and ceramic inlays, and onlays are translucent, and blend into the color of the teeth. If you have damage to the biting surface of your tooth, and you don't want a metal filling to show when you smile, your dentist may suggest an inlay or an onlay, rather than making a crown. The new surface is made of a ceramic resin that is matched to your tooth's color. No one will be able to see you have a filling.

Cosmetic dentistry includes techniques to restore structure, function and appearance of your teeth. A dentist that does cosmetic dentistry is truly an artist. It takes years of specialized education and training after the completion of regular dental school. Depending on which teeth need filling/repairing/shaping depends on the materials that the dentist will use. Your dentist may use all ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal.

The dentist may take an impression of the tooth you want fixed. Then your impression is sent to a dental lab, where the filling is made. Once the filling is made, you will meet again in the dentist's office to have the inlay installed and cemented into your tooth. You may have only one tooth done at a time, or you may have more. An inlay works just like a filling and fits inside of the cusps of the molars. An onlay is more involved and covers more of the tooth. An onlay may be longer lasting and stronger than a crown. It always takes two visits to have inlays and onlays applied to your teeth. The old filling has to be removed and the new inlay or onlay has to be prepared. On the first visit after the filling is removed he/she will apply a sealant to your tooth. On the second visit you will have the sealant removed to have the inlay or onlay applied.

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