Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays provide an affordable way to repair tooth damage caused by trauma or decay.
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At Sapphire Dental Care in Oceanside, New York, Mark Zafir, DDS, and Angela Zampogna, RDH, regularly use inlays and onlays to rehabilitate teeth and transform smiles. To see if you can benefit, make an appointment today by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature.

Inlays & Onlays Q & A

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that repair damaged or decaying tooth enamel. Though often mentioned together, inlays and onlays aren’t the same thing:

Inlays

Inlays replace a small amount of enamel on the chewing surface of a tooth. The team at Sapphire Dental Care might recommend an inlay if they find a small cavity inside the cusps of your tooth. The inlay helps strengthen your tooth enamel, preventing further damage.

Onlays

Onlays also cover the chewing surface of a tooth, but they extend onto the sides, similar to a crown. An onlay restores your tooth to its near-original condition, allowing you to bite and chew confidently.

What does getting inlays and onlays involve?

At Sapphire Dental Care, getting inlays and onlays takes two visits about a week apart.

The team reviews your dental records, completes an oral exam, and takes a series of digital X-rays to assess the extent of the damage or decay. Next, they numb your mouth with a local anesthetic and carefully remove the decaying or damaged tooth enamel.

The team takes digital impressions of your tooth and sends them to a dental laboratory. Technicians at the lab use your impressions to design and manufacture an inlay or onlay that fits your tooth perfectly.

About a week later, when your inlay or onlay is ready, you return to Sapphire Dental Care. The team numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and bonds the inlay or onlay on top of your tooth. After the material dries, they check your bite and provide care instructions.

How long do inlays and onlays last?

Inlays and onlays are some of the toughest and longest-lasting dental restorations. With proper oral hygiene, most inlays and onlays last between 20-30 years.*

To keep yours in optimal condition, the team at Sapphire Dental Care recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for an oral exam and preventive teeth cleaning.

You should also wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth to reduce the risk of damage.

Explore the benefits of inlays and onlays by making an appointment at Sapphire Dental Care today. Call the office to speak with a caring staff member or click the online booking feature.

*Individual results may vary.