At the dental offices of Dr. Yolanda Cruz in Toronto, we offer porcelain and composite inlays and onlays. Dental inlays and onlays are premolded, custom fit fillings that fit into the grooves of your tooth.  These dental restorations repair the chewing surface of the tooth and are nearly invisible, if made from tooth colored material. Manufactured in a lab, they can be made from porcelain, composite resin or even gold. Dental inlays and onlays are usually more durable than regular fillings.  An inlay does not extend over the cusps of the tooth, while an onlay extends onto the chewing surface of a back tooth to replace one or more cusps.  An onlay is used to repair a tooth that has more extensive damage affecting the cusp or the tooth’s biting surface.

Inlay and Onlay Dental Process

The process of installing an inlay or onlay is very similar to the installation of a dental crown. First, Dr. Yolanda Cruz will numb your gum using a local anesthetic and clean the decay from your tooth.  Next, Dr. Cruz will take an impression of the tooth and send to a lab. While the dental restoration is being fabricated, Dr. Cruz will place a temporary filling into the space in order to protect your tooth from fracture or further deterioration.  Once the inlay or onlay is back from the lab, Dr. Cruz will fit the restoration into place and bond it to the natural tooth.

Porcelain & Composite Inlay Post Treatment

After the restoration is complete, it is normal to experience some minor discomfort, normally at the site of the anesthetic or at the tooth itself. To alleviate the discomfort, our dental office may recommend on taking an over the counter pain medication such as Advil. If your symptoms persist for more than few days, you should call one of our Toronto dental offices: Downtown office 416-595-5490 .

You should treat your inlay or onlay like your natural teeth by maintaining proper oral hygiene and diet. Avoid habits that can wear down or damage your restoration such as chewing ice, cracking nuts with your teeth or excessive gum chewing.