Using dental inlays and onlays for conservative restoration of the smile

The team at RK Dentistry is pleased to offer preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry solutions while keeping your whole body’s health in mind. Dr. Richard J. Koeltl of Danville, California, has over two decades of dental experience providing quality care to patients in and around his community. One restorative procedure provided at his office is dental overlays, sometimes called inlays and onlays, which are excellent solutions for restoring a tooth after decay has developed.

How are dental inlays and onlays used to restore the smile?

Inlay and onlay restorations are used to repair or replace damaged teeth. Inlays are used on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, while onlays are typically used for minor damage to a tooth’s front or biting surface. Both inlays and onlays are made of either metal or tooth-colored material, such as composite resin. However, Dr. Richard J. Koeltl and his team often use porcelain or resin materials as they look more natural within the smile and do not stand out as dental restorations.

What is the process of placing an inlay or onlay filling?

The process for placing dental inlays and onlays is very similar to that of crowns and veneers, with some key differences:

  • First, because inlay and onlay restorations usually cover less surface area than complete crowns, they require less alteration of healthy tooth structure. This means that they preserve more natural tooth structure than full crowns, which makes them a preferred choice in many situations
  • Next, because the restoration is not as large a piece of material as a crown is, it requires fewer appointments to place and less time to complete. This also reduces the cost considerably for our patients
  • Finally, the tooth-colored materials used for inlays and onlays can be matched very closely to the color of your natural teeth, which makes them nearly invisible once placed within the smile. In comparison with metal fillings that often show when patients laugh or speak clearly, these restorations make a dramatic difference when you smile

Learn more about dental inlays and onlays today!

Call 925-732-5516 to request a consultation visit with our team at RK Dentistry, conveniently located at 4165 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite #200.