Dental Inlays and Onlays in Torrance, CA

Does your smile have minor imperfections, such as chipping or staining? At Torrance Dental Spa in Torrance, CA, we offer a simple and budget-friendly solution: inlays and onlays. Let’s explore how these treatments can elevate your smile to the next level!

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

Worried about your smile? Inlays and onlays, also known as indirect fillings, are excellent for repairing teeth that are slightly damaged by decay or cracks without requiring a full crown. These custom-made restorations, created from materials like porcelain or composite resin, fit perfectly and are highly durable.

The best part? They help preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible while enhancing both function and appearance. A natural-looking solution to keep your smile radiant!

Inlays and Onlays in Torrance, CA

Getting your smile refreshed with inlays and onlays is a breeze at Torrance Dental Spa. We’re dedicated to ensuring you feel comfortable and satisfied throughout your treatment. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Comprehensive Check-Up: Our highly trained dentist thoroughly examines your dental health to determine if inlays or onlays are the best option for you.
2. Preparing Your Tooth: We gently remove any damaged or decayed portions of your tooth and clean the area thoroughly.
3. Making a Model and Crafting: We take an impression of your tooth to craft a custom inlay or onlay that fits perfectly.
4. Securing the Inlay or Onlay: Once ready, we securely attach the inlay or onlay to your tooth.
5. Adjusting to Perfection: We check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your bite feels just right.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays, also known as “three-quarter crowns,” offer a number of benefits to patients who have moderate to severe tooth decay or damage.  Inlays and onlays are typically made of stronger, more durable materials than traditional fillings. This means that they can provide better support for the tooth and last longer, which can save patients from having to undergo repeat procedures in the future. As a “lab-made filling,” inlays and onlays repair issues similar to a traditional filling but pertaining to a larger area of the tooth.

Additionally, inlays and onlays are designed to conserve as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible. This means that less tooth needs to be removed than a crown does in order to place the restoration, preserving more of the natural tooth. They essentially take up significantly less tooth than a full-coverage dental crown, minimizing the structural impact on your tooth.

Inlays and Onlays vs. Other Restorations

Our patient may need a dental inlay or onlay instead of a filling or crown for several reasons. Some of the most common examples include:

• Damage or Decay: If the wear, fracture, or cavity in a tooth is moderate to severe, an inlay or onlay may be a more appropriate treatment option. This is because inlays and onlays can cover a larger area of the tooth and provide more support than a traditional filling.
• Size of the Cavity: Inlays and onlays are typically larger than traditional fillings, so they are better suited for larger areas of decay. This is because they can fill the entire space created by the cavity, which can help to prevent further damage during everyday use.
• Strength and Durability: Inlays and onlays are typically made of stronger, more durable materials than traditional fillings. They are also crafted in a lab for optimal compatibility with the tooth. This means that they can provide better support for the tooth and last longer than a traditional filling without the need to completely cover the entire tooth with a crown.
• Aesthetics: Inlays and onlays can be made of tooth-colored materials, such as porcelain, which can blend in with the natural color of the tooth and improve the overall appearance of your smile.
• Preservation of Tooth Structure: Inlays and onlays conserve more tooth structure than a traditional crown, which requires significantly more tooth alteration during the treatment process. As such, they may be a better alternative for preserving teeth without major structural damage.

It’s important to note that the best option for a patient will depend on their individual circumstances. Our Torrance  dentist will recommend the best treatment option after a thorough examination.

How Inlays and Onlays are Made

Inlays and onlays are typically made in a dental laboratory by hand or digitally milled with the help of 3D imaging data. We will either take an impression of your tooth or record a digital scan to create a model of the tooth. The lab will then use this model to create the custom-made inlay or onlay with the materials specified by our dentist. The final restoration is then sent back to our office for placement.

Depending on which tooth needs to be restored, inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or other types of ceramic materials.

Experience the Torrance Dental Spa Difference

Choosing Torrance Dental Spa means opting for a team that delivers gold-standard dental care with a personal touch. We stay current with the latest technology and use premium materials to ensure your inlays or onlays are durable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Experience personalized care that makes you feel at home, like part of our family.

Ready for a Smile Upgrade?

Don’t worry about losing that beautiful smile if your teeth are not looking their best! Reach out to Torrance Dental Spa today to schedule a consultation with our expert dentist and learn how inlays or onlays can help. Let’s team up to get your teeth looking healthy and beautiful again.

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Definition of common dental fillings terminology

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: Wikipedia (Inlays and onlays) | (ADA) Glossary of Dental Terms