Tooth-Colored Inlays/Onlays

TOOTH COLORED INLAYS/ONLAYS

The esthetic replacement of faulty amalgam restorations can often best be accomplished by using tooth colored inlays and onlays. Direct placement composite restorations are best used to replace small to medium sized fillings. When the old restorations are too large to be replaced directly yet too small to justify fully shaping the teeth, indirect inlays and onlays may be the ideal solution. The old restoration is removed, the decay cleaned out, and an insulating base placed. The tooth is shaped, impressions made, and a temporary placed.

At the next appointment the temporary is removed, the inlay or onlay tried in, and then bonded to the tooth. The bite is adjusted and the final restoration finished and polished. The restorations blend in beautifully with the remaining tooth structure.

In-office fabricated tooth colored inlays may be used to replace 1 or 2 faulty amalgam restorations. When the procedure is simpler and ample time exists, it may be completed in one visit.


Lab fabricated tooth colored inlays and onlays may be used to replace multiple faulty amalgam restorations.