Inlays and onlays are often referred to as partial crowns. They use the existing tooth as a base and fit the inlay or onlay onto the tooth. This is done to strengthen the tooth, restore its shape, and prevent further damage. An inlay is done when there is no damage to the cusps of the tooth and the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. An onlay is used when the damage is a little more extensive.
The decayed or broken area of your tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. We then image the tooth with our digital scanner and make the restoration in our in house lab on the same day. We use a porcelain material called, eMax. Once we've completed the preparation and imaged your mouth, you will get about a one hour break to relax. Some patients relax in our office and other choose to run an errand. During your break, the restoration is milled, charaterized to look like your other teeth and fired in our kiln. When you return from your break, the inlay or onlay will be placed into your mouth and set with cement. Your tooth will look natural and you or anyone else won't be able to tell the difference.