South Tulsa Inlays & Onlays

INLAYS & ONLAYS

At Magnolia Family Dental Care, we believe in providing dental care that is unique to the needs and desires of each patient. We realize that there is no one restorative dentistry service that is a good fit for every patient. Because of this, we offer a variety of restorative dentistry services, allowing us to provide you with a smile that is perfectly suited for your needs.

One of the restorative dentistry procedures we specialize in is the use of Inlays and Onlays. Inlays or Onlays may be used when a tooth has been damaged in a way that is more extensive than a traditional filling would repair, but not bad enough to require a full dental crown.

Both inlays and onlays are considered indirect fillings. Unlike traditional fillings, inlays and onlays are fabricated outside the mouth before they are bonded to the damaged tooth. The use of an inlay or onlay allows us to preserve more of your natural tooth than we would be able to when using a dental crown.

Inlays and Onlays are made out of a tooth-colored material that blends seamlessly with your existing teeth, creating a beautifully repaired smile. They are traditionally more sturdy than regular fillings, making them a great alternative for more intensive restoration procedures.

3d render of teeth with dental composite filling in gums

3d render of teeth with dental composite filling in gums over white background

WHEN ARE INLAYS & ONLAYS USED?

Inlays and onlays are restorative dentistry procedures that are used for very specific purposes. If a tooth has been damaged or begun to decay, we may recommend using an inlay or onlay instead of a traditional filling or crown. This decision is greatly impacted by the extent and location of the existing damage.

At Magnolia Family Dental Care, we often use inlays to repair a tooth that has decay or damage in the grooves or center of a tooth. Inlays are used when the cusps of the tooth remain healthy or when we determine that a traditional filling would weaken the structure of the natural tooth.

Onlays are used in situations where the damage or decay extends to one or several cusps of the tooth.

INLAYS & ONLAYS VERSUS DENTAL CROWNS

There are many things to consider when determining which type of restorative dentistry procedure will best fit the situation at hand. The primary difference between situations where we use inlays and onlays versus dental crowns is the extent of the damage to the tooth.

Our goal at Magnolia Family Dental Care is to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Because of this, we often opt for the use of inlays and onlays. However, if the damage to your tooth is extensive, we will most likely opt for the use of a dental crown instead.

Inlays and onlays closely mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth. With proper oral hygiene habits and regular dental exams, your inlays or onlays can last up to thirty years!

3d render of teeth with different types of filling

3D rendering of teeth with an inlay, onlay and a crown

INLAYS & ONLAYS AT MAGNOLIA FAMILY DENTAL CARE

Magnolia Family Dental Care is proud to work with you to create a smile that is both healthy and beautiful. By addressing underlying issues such as decay or tooth damage, we are able to eliminate the potential for more serious problems down the road. Contact our team today to discuss our many restorative dentistry services!