NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING ARLINGTON, TYSONS CORNER, ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX, AND MCLEAN, VIRGINIA DENTIST
If you’ve experienced mild to moderate tooth decay, fractures, or cracks in a tooth, but the damage isn’t severe enough to require a dental crown, dental inlays or onlays may be the perfect solution. These tooth-colored fillings restore the integrity of your teeth and look great, blending in beautifully with your natural smile.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics in McLean, Virginia, we specialize in providing these advanced restorative options to help maintain and enhance your dental health while ensuring that the results look as natural as possible.
WHAT IS A DENTAL INLAY?
Dental inlays are like a composite filling and are used inside the cusp tips of a tooth. Inlays are made from fired porcelain, allowing the doctors to match the color of your natural tooth. They are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Much like a crown, our doctors will create a temporary inlay for your tooth, take an impression, and send the impression to the lab for the porcelain restoration. You’ll need to see our doctors to have the final inlay bonded to the tooth and polished.
WHAT IS A DENTAL ONLAY?
Dental onlays are also made of fired porcelain, just like inlays. However, onlays are a more substantial restoration, extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Where a crown may have been necessary, an onlay can often be used to repair the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact. Dental onlays are also made in the lab and will require a return visit. Your temporary onlay should hold up to normal wear until your return appointment.
DENTAL INLAYS VS. DENTAL ONLAYS
The use of a dental inlay or a dental onlay depends on the location of the tooth decay or damage:
- Dental Inlays: If the damage is confined to the upper surface of your tooth, an inlay is ideal. This type of restoration fits within the grooves but does not extend over the cusps of the tooth.
- Dental Onlays: When the damage goes beyond the tooth's surface, affecting one or more of the tooth’s cusps, an onlay is the better choice. Onlays can cover a larger area, sometimes encompassing the entire biting surface of the tooth.
DENTAL INLAY & ONLAY PROCEDURE
Both processes are essentially the same and require two visits to our office. During the first visit, we will prepare the damaged tooth by removing all decay. We will then make a mold so a custom porcelain dental inlay or onlay can be manufactured. The porcelain can be matched to your existing smile, so it integrates impeccably with your smile.
It will take approximately two weeks to create your porcelain dental inlay or dental onlay. A temporary dental inlay or onlay will be attached to your prepared tooth to use during the interim.
When we have received your lab-fabricated porcelain dental restoration, you’ll return to the office. We can thoroughly check the dental inlay or onlay for precise fit, comfort, and function. When the fit is satisfactory we bond the permanent restoration to the tooth and adjust for a proper bite and polish.
BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN INLAYS & ONLAYS
There are many benefits of porcelain inlays and onlays:
- They strengthen damaged or decayed teeth.
- Porcelain materials can match your smile, making them virtually invisible
- There is no expansion or contraction of the porcelain material, which can lead to tooth fractures
- The restorations preserve more of your natural tooth during this process
- They are durable and long-lasting
WHY CHOOSE GALLERIA DENTAL AESTHETICS?
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics in Northern Virginia, you'll find a welcoming team of skilled dentists, including Dr. Chong Lee, Dr. Joseph Oh, Dr. Kathleen Dillon, and Dr. Kirsten Lee. Each is committed to providing you with the best in dental care, whether you need a routine cleaning or a more complex procedure like a full-mouth reconstruction. Our team is recognized locally and nationally, not just for their dental expertise, but for their ability to create a comfortable and caring environment for every patient.
Choosing our practice means trusting a team that values your dental health and understands the importance of a confident smile. We make sure every visit is straightforward and stress-free, offering practical amenities and clear communication. Visit us at Galleria Dental Aesthetics, and let us take care of your smile with the attention and professionalism it deserves.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In recent years, dentists have learned that the metal fillings in your mouth act much like metal does outside of the mouth. Exposed to heat and cold, such as hot coffee or ice cream, the metal fillings in your teeth expand and contract, causing micro-fractures in the structure of the teeth. As the silver mercury fillings shift, they can weaken the teeth they were meant to protect and even cause the entire tooth to crack. The expansion and contraction also creates small openings between the filling and the tooth structure where harmful bacteria can enter the openings and become trapped, leading to further tooth decay. After 10 years, there is an 80% chance that decay will occur under and around the silver-mercury restoration.
A dental inlay or onlay is a much more reliable tooth restoration than a metal filling and is considered by most in the profession to be adhesive dentistry because it bonds the tooth together, making it much more stable. While traditional fillings can reduce tooth strength, inlays and onlays made of high-strength porcelain can potentially increase tooth strength, lasting from 10 to 30 years.
The ideal candidates for this procedure will have:
- Mild to moderate tooth decay or damage
- Good overall and oral health
- Proper oral hygiene habits
- Realistic expectations of treatment outcomes
- No severe dental decay or active gum disease
Contraindications include patients with certain chronic medical conditions, those who are pregnant, or individuals who have severe dental decay or gum disease that needs to be treated prior to the procedure. A thorough consultation will help determine if there are any reasons you should avoid this procedure.
One common myth is that the procedure is painful and risky. In reality, with modern techniques and proper care, discomfort is minimal, and risks are very low. Another misconception is that the results are temporary, whereas many times they offer long-lasting effects.
There are some risks involved, but they are rare. These might include infection, sensitivity, and in rare cases, damage to surrounding teeth or gums. Our team takes every precaution to minimize risks.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, thanks to local anesthesia options. Post-procedure pain is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers, and any discomfort usually goes away within a few days.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
If you have questions about inlays & onlays, contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics. Call our office in McLean, VA, at 703-448-1020 to schedule a thorough dentistry consultation.
Click here to print the post-operative instructions for dental crowns, bridge, inlay, and onlay.