Dr. Ashley Covington often recommend Inlays and Onlays as a more conservative approach to tooth restoration than full crowns. The are used to repair rear teeth that have mild to moderate tooth decay, or for cracked teeth where the damage does not warrant a dental crown. Porcelain, composite resin and sometimes gold are used to create inlays and onlays. Inlays refer to those procedures where the bonded material limited to the center of the tooth, while onlays refer to those procedures where the bonded material can extend further to one or more cusps of the tooth.
Advantages of Inlays and Onlays
- Less likely to discolor over time
- Preserves more natural tooth structure than crowns
- Seals teeth and keeps out bacteria
- Remains stable
- Protects tooth structure without extensive reshaping
Procedure for Inlays and Onlays
Using our new Cerec Primescan, Inlays and onlays are made in-house at our Lady’s Island dentist office. Instead of the traditional two visit completion turn around time, we can place your Inlay or Onlay in a single two hour appointment. With Cerec our patients have experiences a perfect fit every time. Our Beaufort dentists often recommends inlays and onlays because they match the contours of the teeth they need to restore.
Dr. Covington will examine the edges of your dental inlay or onlay to ensure it fits tightly and will remain stable. We’ll also check your bite to ensure the inlay or onlay has been fitted properly. Once the restoration is bonded to your tooth and polished, you’ll be ready to go home.
If you live in Downtown Beaufort, on Lady’s Island, or any of the surrounding area, we encourage you to call 843-986-0177 or schedule via our online appointment form so we can examine you and determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.