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Strong, Beautiful Tooth Restorations Without Full Crowns
If a tooth is decayed or has moderate structural damage, a standard filling material may not be sufficient to restore adequate strength and support the tooth; however, a full-coverage crown may be too much for that tooth. This is where inlay and onlay restorations can be used.
At Stamford Dental Studio, we use modern inlays and onlays to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible while restoring the strength, function, and aesthetics of the damaged tooth. All of our custom-made restorations are designed to rebuild your damaged tooth in a durable, long-lasting, and natural-looking way.
Both inlays and onlays are precise restorations that are made in a dental laboratory to restore teeth that have the following conditions:
They are considered a conservative alternative to crowns and are placed between fillings and full crowns in terms of coverage:
Because they are custom-made from high-quality materials such as porcelain or composite ceramic, inlays and onlays are stronger than large fillings and more aesthetically pleasing.
Unlike crowns that require significant alteration of the tooth, inlays and onlays help conserve your existing healthy enamel and dentin. Since they require less tooth preparation than crowns, they result in healthier, longer-lasting solutions.
Lab-fabricated inlays and onlays are more durable than traditional fillings and have greater wear resistance. With appropriate care and maintenance, these restorations may remain functional for 10 years or longer (frequently many decades).
These restorations can be crafted from tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain, allowing them to blend with the natural appearance of your teeth while providing excellent stain resistance.
Inlays and onlays are designed specifically for your bite and the shape of your teeth; therefore, they evenly distribute the forces created during chewing, thereby reducing the stress placed upon any one particular area of the tooth.
As they restore the toothÔÇÖs integrity, inlays & onlays decrease the likelihood of future fractures or decay and the need for root canal treatment.
Inlays and onlays are both excellent choices when a large filling wonÔÇÖt suffice, and a crown is overly invasive.
We customize every restoration to match your smile. Options typically include:
We tailor the material choice to your specific needs, considering aesthetics, bite forces, and overall dental health.
The process usually takes two visits:
Using your digital impressions, our trusted dental lab custom-crafts your restoration for a perfect fit, precise margins, and natural shade matching.
You may be a candidate if you have:
Ô£ö A cracked, broken, or fractured tooth
Ô£ö A large filling that needs replacement
Ô£ö Moderate dental decay not severe enough for a crown
Ô£ö A desire for a conservative alternative to crowns
Ô£ö Strong bite performance and natural aesthetics
We conduct a complete examination and evaluate dental imaging to determine the best course of treatment for your case. In some instances, if the damage is too severe, a crown may be suggested ÔÇô but inlays and onlays are often the best choice when it comes to preserving the integrity of your tooth structure.
Inlays and onlays offer the perfect balance of strength, beauty, and conservation, making them a favorite among patients seeking the best restorative treatments.
With proper care, inlays and onlays can last a long time. Maintain them with:
Professional dental maintenance will help prevent decay at the margins and maintain the health of the surrounding gums.
Suppose you need a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing option rather than larger fillings or full-coverage crowns. They preserve more of your natural tooth structure while allowing you to chew better. Inlays and onlays are beautiful, lasting restorations.
This page provides general educational information and is reviewed for accuracy. Treatment recommendations are made after individual evaluation.
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