Inlays and Onlays
Dental restorations can be divided into direct restorations and indirect restorations. Direct restorations are those “fillings” that are incrementally placed into a prepared cavity so that the tooth is restored to full function and contour. Indirect restorations would include those restorations which are fabricated outside of the mouth, usually from a standard impression or a digital impression, then cemented or bonded as a single unit. These restorations would include inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are a restoration alternative. Standard “filling” material for a direct application is conventionally composite resin, amalgam, and in some instances direct gold foil. Indirect application restorations such as inlays or onlays typically are fabricated with porcelain or cast gold. They are fabricated in a laboratory by a dental technician and/or can be constructed using CAD/CAM technology that is available and specifically designed for dentistry. The advantage of an indirect restoration is the ability to establish the natural contours, contacts and marginal adaptation of the restoration to the tooth which on average provide greater support and increased longevity of the restoration. Onlay restorations differ from inlays by the extended coverage of one or more cusps of a tooth. This is indicated when there is fear of fracture from unsupported tooth structure. In many cases it is an alternative to full coverage crowns which require more aggressive tooth removal to allow for total coverage.
What is involved in the inlay/onlay procedure?
You can expect that the entire procedure will take two or more visits to our office. During your first visit, Dr. Griffin will carefully prepare the tooth, take impressions, and send those impressions to a special laboratory where the inlay(s) or onlay(s) will be fabricated. Once the preparation and impression is completed, Dr. Griffin will fit a provisional inlay/onlay that you can use until the permanent one is ready. During the initial visit, you can discuss which materials you’d like used in the fabrication of your inlay/onlay.
During your second visit, the provisional inlay/onlay is removed, and then the permanent inlay/only is checked for accuracy and fit. Once Dr. Griffin is satisfied, the inlay/onlay is bonded or cemented to the tooth and polished.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are a restoration alternative. Standard “filling” material for a direct application is conventionally composite resin, amalgam, and in some instances direct gold foil. Indirect application restorations such as inlays or onlays typically are fabricated with porcelain or cast gold. They are fabricated in a laboratory by a dental technician and/or can be constructed using CAD/CAM technology that is available and specifically designed for dentistry. The advantage of an indirect restoration is the ability to establish the natural contours, contacts and marginal adaptation of the restoration to the tooth which on average provide greater support and increased longevity of the restoration. Onlay restorations differ from inlays by the extended coverage of one or more cusps of a tooth. This is indicated when there is fear of fracture from unsupported tooth structure. In many cases it is an alternative to full coverage crowns which require more aggressive tooth removal to allow for total coverage.
What is involved in the inlay/onlay procedure?
You can expect that the entire procedure will take two or more visits to our office. During your first visit, Dr. Griffin will carefully prepare the tooth, take impressions, and send those impressions to a special laboratory where the inlay(s) or onlay(s) will be fabricated. Once the preparation and impression is completed, Dr. Griffin will fit a provisional inlay/onlay that you can use until the permanent one is ready. During the initial visit, you can discuss which materials you’d like used in the fabrication of your inlay/onlay.
During your second visit, the provisional inlay/onlay is removed, and then the permanent inlay/only is checked for accuracy and fit. Once Dr. Griffin is satisfied, the inlay/onlay is bonded or cemented to the tooth and polished.
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150 West Cambridge Avenue
Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
Work (864) 229-2610
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Fax (864) 229-3323
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