Dental inlays and Onlays in Houston, TX

Dental inlays and onlays are custom restorations that our team at Made Ya Smile Dental uses to restore function to damaged or decayed back teeth. An inlay or onlay may be used to strengthen a tooth that has more damage than a filling can repair but not enough loss of structure to need the full coverage of a dental crown. To bring the best possible treatment solutions to our patients, we custom-create inlays and onlays from several types of materials, including porcelain, composite resin, gold, and other metals. Inlays fit within the center indented portion of a tooth while onlays cover one or more tooth cusps, which are also known as partial crowns. If you have a tooth that is decayed or damaged, visit our Houston, TX team of dentists and learn if an inlay or onlay can bring health back to your smile.

Our team may recommend an inlay or onlay if your tooth has suffered decay or other types of damage. Falling between a simple filling and a dental crown, inlay and onlay restorations can add strength and restore function and appearance to your tooth. During your consultation, we will take digital x-rays and perform a clinical examination to help you decide the best type of treatment for your damaged tooth. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we offer a variety of solutions and can help you select the ideal material for your inlay or onlay if this is the treatment of choice.

As our patient, you can rest assured in knowing that your comfort is always a top priority. We take a gentle approach to care and will gently numb the tooth and the surrounding area, but we can offer sedation dentistry services if you are fearful about your procedure. Using advanced equipment, our dentists will clear out the damaged or decayed areas from your tooth. In some cases, such as when using composite resin, inlays or onlays are created directly in your mouth. For many situations, however, we take an impression of the prepared tooth, once the decay or damage has been removed, and send this mold to an outside lab for inlay or onlay fabrication. If your restoration is going to be lab-fabricated, then we will place a temporary filling in your tooth until your permanent inlay or onlay is created. Once your restoration is ready, we will position it within your tooth and bond it permanently in place. To finish, our team will polish your new inlay or onlay and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite.

The recovery process following the placement of an inlay or onlay is generally minor. You may have some mild sensitivity or discomfort within your tooth, but that should subside within a few days. If you received local anesthetic for your procedure, it is important that you wait to eat until you no longer feel numb. Inlays and onlays are cared for in the same way you clean your natural teeth with daily brushing and flossing techniques. During your regularly scheduled bi-annual cleaning and exam visits, our Made Ya Smile Dental team will continually check and monitor the health of your restorations. Inlays and onlays can last for many years when they receive proper maintenance and care. Please contact our office right away if you have any issues following your restorative procedure.

As a common treatment for restoring tooth decay and other forms of damage, inlays and onlays are typically covered in part by many dental insurance plans. Made Ya Smile accepts most PPO plans and can file your insurance claim for you. We will contact your insurance company to review your list of covered benefits and let you know of any personal expenses. To help you and your family get the affordable care you need for a healthy smile, we are happy to offer several payment methods to make covering the cost of your treatment convenient. Flexible low-interest financing through CareCredit® may also be available.

Inlays and onlays can be a fantastic way to restore health, function, and wellness to your smile. Treating damaged or decayed teeth as soon as possible can help minimize the need for more extensive or costly treatment down the road. To learn more about the benefits of inlays and onlays, schedule a visit with our experienced team at Made Ya Smile Dental in Houston, TX and get started on revitalizing your oral health today.