When are Inlays and Onlays Needed?

When teeth need more than a filling, inlays and onlays are fantastic options. Rather than pull out the tooth, an inlay or onlay can keep a tooth healthy for the rest of a person’s lifetime. At Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we gladly place inlays or onlays to save our patients’ teeth.
Inlays are onlays are commonly referred to as partial crowns. An inlay is a covering that strengthens and protects the inside of the chewing surface. An onlay serves the inside of the chewing surface, plus one or more of the cusps of the tooth. These are options for when there is a little more damage than what a filling could fix, but not so much that a full crown needs to be placed.

Inlays and onlays are able to look just like the rest of your tooth, so your smile looks natural. They can be made of porcelain, a composite resin, or gold. The porcelain and composite resin options are tooth-colored and blend right in with your teeth. With a normal oral hygiene routine like brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, inlays and onlays can last up to thirty years before they need to be replaced.

Each patient needs individual care. To set up an examination in our Smithville, MO office, call Garrison Family Dentistry at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.