Dental Inlays & Onlays in Charlotte, NC
When tooth decay or damage extends beyond what traditional fillings can effectively address but doesn’t require a full dental crown, dental inlays and onlays in Charlotte, NC provide the perfect middle ground solution that many patients are looking for! These precision-crafted restorations offer superior strength, durability, and esthetic appeal compared to regular fillings, while preserving more of your natural tooth structure than dental crowns require. Whether you’re dealing with larger cavities, cracked teeth, or worn dental restorations, inlays and onlays represent an advanced approach to maintaining your oral health and protecting your smile.
At Imagine Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we utilize state-of-the-art technology and premium materials to create custom restorative solutions that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has over 20 years of experience and has received a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. Our restorative dentistry services focus on preserving your natural tooth structure while providing long-lasting solutions that restore both function and beauty to your smile.
Understanding Dental Inlays
Dental inlays are custom-made restorations that are designed to fit precisely within the tooth’s grooves and cusps, providing an ideal solution for moderate tooth decay that extends beyond the scope of traditional fillings. Unlike regular fillings that are placed directly into the cavity during your appointment, dental inlays are fabricated in our dental lab using advanced materials that offer superior strength and longevity. This indirect restoration method allows for a more precise fit and better structural integrity of the affected tooth.
The process begins with careful removal of decay or damaged tooth structure, followed by detailed digital scans using our state-of-the-art iTero Lumina scanner that captures the exact contours of your prepared tooth. These digital scans are sent to our dental lab where skilled technicians craft your custom inlay using materials such as composite materials, ceramic materials, or gold inlays, depending on your specific needs and preferences. The precision fabrication process ensures optimal fit and function while maintaining the natural appearance of your smile.
Dental inlays excel at treating cavities that are located in the central chewing surface of your teeth, particularly in the grooves and pits where decay commonly develops over time. By preserving more of your healthy tooth structure compared to dental crowns, inlays represent a conservative approach to dental restoration that maintains the structural integrity of your natural teeth. This preservation of tooth structure not only supports better long-term oral health but also provides a foundation for future dental care if needed.
Dental Onlays Provide Comprehensive Coverage for Extensive Damage
Dental onlays, often referred to as partial crowns, provide more extensive coverage than inlays by extending over one or more cusps of the affected tooth. When tooth decay or damage affects the biting surface and extends to the raised points of your teeth, onlays offer the ideal solution for restoration that can truly save your natural tooth! This expanded coverage makes onlays perfect for teeth that have experienced significant structural loss due to large cavities, fractures, or failed previous restorations.
The fabrication process for dental onlays follows similar procedures to inlays, beginning with thorough preparation of the damaged tooth and removal of all decay or compromised tooth structure that could compromise your results. However, because onlays cover a larger surface area, the preparation process may be slightly more extensive to ensure proper fit and function that will serve you well for years to come. The custom-made restoration is crafted to match your natural tooth color and contours, providing seamless integration with your existing smile.
Onlays offer exceptional durability and longevity, particularly when they are crafted from high-quality ceramic materials or gold that can withstand the forces of daily chewing. The extended coverage that is provided by onlays helps distribute chewing forces more evenly across the tooth, reducing stress concentration that could lead to future fractures. This makes onlays an excellent choice for patients who need substantial restoration but want to avoid the more invasive process of crown placement.
Premium Materials for Lasting Restoration
Our dental inlays and onlays are crafted using the finest materials that are available, each offering unique benefits to suit different patient needs and preferences. Ceramic materials and porcelain provide exceptional esthetic results, closely mimicking the natural translucency and color variations of your teeth in ways that are truly remarkable. These tooth-colored restorations blend seamlessly with your smile, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth while providing excellent durability and stain resistance that keeps your smile looking beautiful.
Composite materials offer another excellent option for dental inlays and onlays, providing good esthetic results at a more economical price point that many patients appreciate. Modern composite materials have significantly improved in strength and durability, making them suitable for most restoration needs that patients present with. The composite materials can be precisely color-matched to your existing teeth and offer excellent bonding properties for long-lasting results that you can count on.
For patients who prioritize maximum durability and longevity, gold inlays and onlays represent the premium choice that many dentists still prefer. While gold restorations may not offer the same esthetic appeal as tooth-colored options, they provide unmatched durability and biocompatibility that has been proven over decades of use. Gold has an excellent track record in dentistry, with properly maintained gold restorations often lasting decades. Many dentists still consider gold the gold standard for posterior restorations due to its exceptional wear characteristics and gentle treatment of opposing teeth.
The Treatment Process
The process of receiving dental inlays and onlays typically requires two appointments to ensure optimal results that meet our high standards. During your first visit, we begin with a comprehensive examination and local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort throughout the entire process. Dr. Coambs carefully removes all decay and damaged tooth structure, then shapes the remaining tooth to provide an ideal foundation for your restoration. Detailed digital scans are taken using our iTero Lumina scanner to capture every nuance of your prepared tooth.
While your permanent restoration is being crafted in our dental lab, we place a temporary filling to protect your tooth and maintain comfort during the fabrication period. This temporary restoration allows you to function normally while your custom inlay or onlay is being created to exact specifications. The laboratory process allows our skilled technicians to create your restoration using your chosen material with precision that ensures optimal results.
Your second appointment focuses on the precise placement and bonding of your completed restoration that has been crafted specifically for your tooth. After removing the temporary filling and thoroughly cleaning the prepared tooth, Dr. Coambs carefully evaluates the fit and appearance of your new inlay or onlay. Once we confirm optimal fit and your satisfaction with the appearance, the restoration is permanently bonded using advanced dental adhesives that create a strong, lasting connection. Final adjustments ensure proper bite alignment and smooth integration with your existing teeth.
Benefits Beyond Traditional Fillings
Dental inlays and onlays offer numerous advantages over traditional fillings, making them an excellent investment in your long-term dental health that can serve you well for decades. The superior strength of these restorations means that they can withstand greater chewing forces and last significantly longer than conventional filling material. While traditional fillings may need replacement every few years, properly maintained inlays and onlays can last much longer, providing exceptional value over time.
The precision fit achieved through laboratory fabrication ensures a better marginal seal than direct fillings, reducing the risk of bacteria infiltration and secondary decay that can compromise your tooth. This superior seal helps protect your tooth from future problems and maintains the integrity of your restoration for years to come. Additionally, the custom fabrication process allows for optimal restoration of your tooth’s natural anatomy, improving both function and esthetic appearance in ways that direct fillings simply cannot match.
The conservative nature of inlay and onlay preparation preserves more of your healthy tooth structure compared to crowns, supporting a better long-term prognosis for your teeth, which is so important for your overall oral health. This preservation of natural tooth structure maintains the tooth’s inherent strength and reduces the risk of future complications that could require more extensive treatment. For patients seeking the perfect balance between conservative treatment and comprehensive restoration, inlays and onlays represent an ideal solution that combines the best of both approaches.
Experience Advanced Restorative Care at Imagine Dentistry
Dental inlays and onlays offer numerous advantages over traditional fillings, making them an excellent investment in your long-term dental health that can serve you well for decades. The superior strength of these restorations means that they can withstand greater chewing forces and last significantly longer than conventional filling material. While traditional fillings may need replacement every few years, properly maintained inlays and onlays can last much longer, providing exceptional value over time.
The precision fit achieved through laboratory fabrication ensures a better marginal seal than direct fillings, reducing the risk of bacteria infiltration and secondary decay that can compromise your tooth. This superior seal helps protect your tooth from future problems and maintains the integrity of your restoration for years to come. Additionally, the custom fabrication process allows for optimal restoration of your tooth’s natural anatomy, improving both function and esthetic appearance in ways that direct fillings simply cannot match.
The conservative nature of inlay and onlay preparation preserves more of your healthy tooth structure compared to crowns, supporting a better long-term prognosis for your teeth, which is so important for your overall oral health. This preservation of natural tooth structure maintains the tooth’s inherent strength and reduces the risk of future complications that could require more extensive treatment. For patients seeking the perfect balance between conservative treatment and comprehensive restoration, inlays and onlays represent an ideal solution that combines the best of both approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Inlays and Onlays
Our patients typically ask us the following questions:
The cost of dental inlays and onlays in Charlotte, NC, varies depending on the material that is chosen and the complexity of your case, as well as other factors that are specific to your treatment needs. Composite materials are generally the most affordable option, while ceramic materials and gold inlays command premium pricing due to the superior properties and longevity that they provide.
Most dental insurance plans cover inlays and onlays at the same rate as crowns, typically 50-80% after your deductible is met. We offer financing options through CareCredit to help make quality dental care more accessible for our patients who want the best possible treatment.
The primary difference between dental inlays and onlays lies in the coverage area of the restoration that is placed on your tooth. Dental inlays fit within the tooth’s grooves and do not extend over the cusps (raised points) of the teeth, making them ideal for cavities that are contained within the central chewing surface.
Dental onlays, often called partial crowns, extend over one or more cusps and provide more extensive coverage for teeth that have greater structural damage. Your dental provider will determine which option is most appropriate based on the extent and location of damage to your affected tooth.
With proper care, dental inlays and onlays can last many years, significantly longer than traditional fillings that need more frequent replacement. The longevity depends on several factors, including the material used, the location of the restoration, your oral hygiene habits, and your chewing habits, which affect wear patterns.
Gold inlays and onlays typically offer the longest lifespan, often lasting decades, while ceramic materials and composite materials provide excellent durability with proper maintenance that includes regular teeth cleaning appointments. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene are essential for maximizing the lifespan of your restoration.
Dental inlays and onlays offer several advantages over regular fillings, particularly for larger cavities or areas of significant tooth damage that extend beyond what fillings can effectively treat. These custom-made restorations provide superior strength, better fit, and longer lifespan compared to traditional fillings that are placed directly in the tooth.
While regular fillings are placed directly in the tooth during a single visit, inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab for a precise fit and optimal function that serves you better long-term. However, for small cavities with minimal damage, traditional fillings may be more appropriate and cost-effective. Your dentist will recommend the best option based on your specific needs.
Caring for dental inlays and onlays is similar to maintaining your natural teeth, with no requirements beyond good oral hygiene practices that you should already be following! Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, and attend routine dental checkups for professional cleaning and examination that keep your smile healthy. Avoid chewing on extremely hard objects like ice or pens, which could potentially damage any dental restoration that you have.
With proper care and regular dental visits, your inlays and onlays should provide many years of reliable service while maintaining their appearance and function that keeps your smile looking its best.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Dental Insurance
We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.
Dental Membership Plan
We offer an excellent Membership Plan designed specifically for patients without traditional insurance coverage. Our “Love.Your.Smile.” plans provide access to preventive care, including regular checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, along with valuable discounts on additional treatments. If you’re looking for transparent pricing and quality dental care without the hassle of insurance claims, our membership plan may be the perfect solution for you and your family. Our team will be happy to discuss which plan best fits your needs during your visit!
