Teeth Inlays & Onlays in Sugar Hill

Also serving Johns Creek, Buford, & Suwanee

Dental Inlays and Onlays at Dentistry of Sugar Hill

If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but doesn’t require a crown, inlays and onlays are a great compromise. These small restorations are placed over the affected area(s) of the tooth to strengthen it and prolong its life. When used correctly, inlays and onlays can even prevent the need for more extensive dental work in the future. Dentistry of Sugar Hill offers inlays and onlays in Sugar Hill and the surrounding areas, including Johns Creek, Suwanee, and Buford.

What Inlays and Onlays Treat

Inlays and onlays are designed to repair teeth that have too much damage or decay to be successfully treated with a filling, but enough healthy tooth structure to avoid placing a crown. Inlays are placed inside of the tooth’s cusps (edges), and onlays are bigger and can extend over one or more cusps of the tooth.

By placing inlays and onlays, our dentists can conserve as much natural tooth structure as possible while restoring the tooth to optimal health and strength.

The materials used to construct inlays and onlays is tooth-colored and very natural looking. It is also extremely durable and made to last for many years without problems.

Treatment Details

Generally it takes two appointments to design and deliver inlays or onlays.

To begin, the dentist will remove any decay or damage from your affected tooth. The tooth will be disinfected, cleaned and prepared for its restoration. Impressions will be taken of the damaged tooth and sent to the dental laboratory that we trust to create high-quality restorations. Most of the inlays and onlays we use are created from tooth-colored porcelain materials that blend in with the natural tooth structure. Some restorations are fabricated with gold or composite resin materials.

A temporary restoration may be placed while the lab creates your permanent inlay or onlay. When your permanent restoration is ready, we will remove the temporary and fit the permanent one into place. We will check for its fit against your bite and ensure there are no problems. Finally, we will bond the inlay or onlay into place and polish it for a beautiful, radiant finish.

Inlays and onlays are sometimes used to replace old metal fillings. The old filling material is removed from the tooth and impressions are made and sent to the dental laboratory. Once the inlay or onlay is ready, the dentist bonds it into place on the tooth where the old filling used to be.

There might be a slight adjustment period as you get used to your new inlay or onlay. You might notice the tooth surface feels unusual. It is also common to experience slight sensitivity or soreness around the treated tooth. These feelings should subside quickly.

To care for your new inlay or onlay, brush and floss your teeth as you normally do. Visit our dentists at least twice a year to have your restoration checked. Refrain from biting or chewing on hard objects, like pen caps, shells or ice. With the right care, your inlay or onlay can last for many years.

Learn More about Inlays and Onlays

To learn more about restoring teeth with inlays and onlays, please schedule an appointment at Dentistry of Sugar Hill. Call or email us today.