Understanding the Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

If your tooth is damaged, you have several repair options. Dental crowns and fillings are the most common dental restorations, but they’re not your only choices. An inlay or onlay can help restore your tooth and protect your oral health.

If you’re in New York City and suspect you have a damaged or decayed tooth, contact us at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics to discuss your dental restoration options.

Here, Dr. David Blaustein spotlights the benefits of inlays and onlays.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations used to repair teeth with moderate decay or damage that isn’t severe enough to require a crown. They’re crafted from materials like porcelain, composite resin, or gold and bonded to a tooth for a seamless, natural look.

Inlays fit inside the grooves of a tooth — similar to a filling but with more strength and precision. Onlays extend over one or more cusps of your tooth and provide additional coverage.

4 benefits of inlays and onlays

All dental restorations have advantages. Inlays and onlays are no exception. 

1. They preserve more of your tooth structure

When you receive a dental crown, Dr. Blaustein shapes your tooth to ensure space for your crown, but inlays and onlays preserve as much of your tooth as possible.

2. They blend in with your natural teeth

A porcelain or composite resin inlay or onlay can blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. (Gold, for obvious reasons, doesn’t.) If you value a discreet restoration, inlays and onlays can be a good match.

3. They offer a better fit 

Dr. Blaustein creates your perfect-fit inlay or onlay through a two-appointment process. He takes an impression of your tooth to create your restoration. Once your inlay or onlay is ready, you return to our office here in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. 

Creating a restoration outside the mouth using an impression is known as an indirect restoration. 

Because they’re custom-made, inlays and onlays fit precisely and reduce the risk of bacteria buildup and future decay. They also create a tight seal and protect your tooth from further damage.

4. They protect your tooth and make it stronger

Unlike traditional fillings, which can weaken your tooth by up to 50% over time, inlays and onlays reinforce teeth. An inlay or onlay can make your tooth 75% stronger, increasing resistance to fractures and long-term wear.

Is an inlay or onlay right for you?

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth but want to avoid a crown, an inlay or onlay may be a great option. Dr. Blaustein can assess your tooth’s condition and determine whether this treatment best fits your needs.

To learn more, call us at 917-200-0219 or request an appointment online today.