Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays in Oakland, CA

Inlays and onlays are a restorative treatment that is placed on teeth when dental fillings are not enough to fill a cavity or lost tooth structure, but crowns are unnecessary. Like a dental crown, inlays and onlays are cemented to the affected tooth. Here at Franklin Dental Care, we are proud to offer dental inlays and onlays to our patients in the Oakland, California, area.

What are Dental Inlays or Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are a conservative treatment for repairing teeth that are damaged but repairable. Inlays are placed inside the cusps of a tooth. Onlays are similar but extend over more than one cusp for when more significant work is needed.

Inlays and Onlays Procedure

Both inlays and onlays are created in a dental laboratory and then bonded to the tooth by our dental team. The biggest difference between crowns and inlays or onlays is that less of your natural tooth has to be removed when preparing the tooth for inlays or onlays. The goal at Franklin Dental Care is to safeguard as much of your tooth.

The first step in having an inlay or onlay is coming to our office for regular appointments or a consultation if you feel that your tooth is damaged or decayed. Once our team determines that an inlay or onlay is right for you, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic and remove decay. We need to remove the decay from the tooth to stop it from spreading further and infecting the tooth root, which would require root canal therapy or other further dental work. Once the tooth is prepared, and the decay has been removed, a mold is taken of the tooth. This impression will be sent to the dental laboratory to create an inlay or onlay that fits your tooth perfectly. A temporary filling will be adhered to your tooth to keep it safe until the permanent inlay or onlay comes back from the laboratory. At your next visit, the permanent inlay or onlay will be placed and cured into place using a special light.

Inlays and Onlays Near You

Inlays and onlays are a long-lasting restorative treatment for damaged and decayed teeth that are healthy enough to avoid crowns. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Franklin Dental Care today.

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