6847 W Happy Valley Rd Suite #2, Peoria, AZ 85383
The Right Restoration for Moderate Tooth Damage
Not every damaged or decayed tooth fits neatly into the category of needing a filling or a full crown. When the damage is too extensive for a direct filling but does not compromise enough of the tooth structure to warrant a crown, an inlay or onlay is often the most conservative and effective solution available.
At Stetson Village Family Dentistry in Peoria, we use custom-fabricated inlays and onlays to restore teeth with a level of precision that direct fillings cannot match. Because they are crafted in a laboratory from impressions of your actual tooth, the fit is exact, the strength is superior, and the result blends naturally with the surrounding enamel.
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What Are Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations, meaning they are fabricated outside the mouth and bonded into place, unlike a filling, which is shaped directly on the tooth during your appointment.
Inlay
Fits within the cusps of a tooth, restoring the central chewing surface without extending over the outer edges. An inlay is used when damage or decay is confined to the interior of the tooth.Onlay
Extends beyond the cusp tips to cover a larger portion of the tooth surface. An onlay is the appropriate choice when one or more cusps are involved in the damage, providing broader coverage without the full reduction required for a crown.What to Expect During Treatment
Inlays and onlays are typically completed over two appointments.
01
First Appointment: Preparation and Impressions
The damaged or decayed portion of the tooth is carefully removed, and the area is cleaned and shaped. Detailed impressions or digital scans are taken to capture the exact dimensions of the prepared tooth. A temporary restoration is placed to protect the tooth while your permanent inlay or onlay is being fabricated in the dental laboratory.
02
Second Appointment: Bonding
When your restoration is ready, the temporary is removed, and the inlay or onlay is tried in for fit, shape, and color before being permanently bonded to the tooth. We check your bite carefully and make any final adjustments to ensure everything feels completely natural.
Who Is a Good Candidate
Inlays and onlays are a strong option for patients who have:
- A cavity or area of decay too large for a conventional filling to restore reliably
- A cracked or fractured tooth where the damage does not extend to the point of requiring a crown
- An old or failing filling that needs to be replaced with a more durable, long-
term solution - Healthy surrounding tooth structure that warrants a conservative approach
We will evaluate the extent of the damage at your appointment and give you a clear recommendation on whether an inlay, onlay, filling, or crown is the most appropriate path forward.
Precise, Long-Lasting Restorations at Our Peoria Office
If you have a tooth that has been bothering you or a filling that is showing its age, come in and let us take a look. Our team will assess the situation and recommend the most conservative solution that reliably restores the tooth over the long term.
New patients are always welcome at Stetson Village Family Dentistry.
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