DENTAL SERVICES

• Bleaching
• Bonding
• Bridges
• Cosmetic Makeovers
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Extractions
• Fillings
• Inlays and Onlays
• Invisalign
• Nitrous Oxide
• Sealants
• Sedation
• Veneers
• Snoring and Sleep Apnea
• Orthodontics

Inlays & Onlays

When over half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, Dr. Romano or Dr. Adams will often use an inlay or onlay to restore the tooth.

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain or gold. Traditionally, gold was the material of choice for inlays and onlays; however, in recent years porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color. The porcelain or gold is bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth; an onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50%. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, being bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75%. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.