Discover a modern approach to dental restoration at DentiCare, your trusted dentist in North Dublin. We specialise in inlays and onlays, offering a durable, aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional fillings and crowns.
Our advanced materials and expert techniques ensure that your restoration blends beautifully with your natural teeth, providing both strength and longevity. Whether you’re restoring a back tooth or treating larger areas of decay, our inlays and onlays provide a seamless finish — and long-lasting results.
Inlays and onlays are ideal when a tooth is too damaged for a filling, but not damaged enough to require a crown. We take precise impressions and work with top dental labs to ensure a perfect fit. The result? A beautiful restoration that strengthens your tooth while maintaining a natural look and feel.
Durability & Strength – Inlays and onlays can last over 10 years with proper care.
Natural Appearance – Crafted from tooth-coloured materials for a discreet, attractive finish.
Protective Design – They support and reinforce the remaining tooth structure, helping prevent future fractures.
Minimally Invasive – They require less removal of healthy enamel than full crowns.
Dental inlays and onlays are types of restorative treatments used to repair back teeth that have suffered from decay or damage. An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth, similar to a traditional filling, but is specifically made to fit your tooth’s cavity. An onlay covers one or more cusps or the entire biting surface of the tooth, offering more extensive coverage than inlays for larger cavities.
Inlays and onlays are considered a conservative alternative to crowns because they require less removal of the tooth structure. Unlike fillings that are moulded into place during your dental visit, inlays and onlays are prefabricated in a dental lab before being bonded to the tooth. This makes them more durable and a better fit than fillings, but less invasive than crowns.
Inlays and onlays can be made from various materials, including porcelain, composite resin, and zirconium. Porcelain and zirconium are popular choices for their durability and their ability to mimic the natural appearance of teeth, making the restoration virtually undetectable.
The benefits of inlays and onlays include a better fit and stronger restoration, preservation of natural tooth structure, reduced risk of further decay, and an enhanced aesthetic appearance. They are also more durable than traditional fillings, offering a long-term solution for tooth restoration.
With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, inlays and onlays can last for decades. The lifespan can vary depending on the material used and the location of the restoration in the mouth, but many last upwards of 20-30 years.
Coverage for inlays and onlays varies by insurance provider and plan. Many insurance plans partially cover these treatments as they are considered restorative procedures. We recommend checking with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.
The procedure typically requires two visits. During the first visit, the decayed or damaged area is cleaned, and an impression of the tooth is taken, which is sent to a dental lab. A temporary sealant is placed on the tooth. At the second visit, the temporary sealant is removed, and the inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth. Adjustments are made as necessary to ensure a perfect fit and bite.
Care for inlays and onlays is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental check-ups, are essential to maintain the health and longevity of your restoration.
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