Restore Your Smile and Oral Health with Ceramic Inlays and Onlays

Also known as partial crowns, ceramic inlays, and onlays are used to correct tooth damage when it’s too significant for a filling but insufficient for a crown. Dental onlays and inlays use the existing structure as a foundation and fit into or onto the tooth to restore your tooth’s shape and prevent further damage. 

Crossroads Dental in Longmont, Colorado, offers dental inlays and onlays to restore damaged teeth. If you want to learn more about these little-known tooth restorations, schedule an appointment with Dr. Amy Farmer and the team. 

What are dental inlays and onlays?

A dental inlay is a restoration that fits into the center of a tooth, specifically within the cusps of the chewing surface. It’s used to restore the tooth where the damage doesn’t extend to the cusps of the tooth. In contrast, a dental onlay is preferred for extensive damage and covers the chewing surface and one or more cusps. 

Partial crowns perform the same function as composite fillings. However, dental onlays and inlays restore more extensive tooth damage than fillings and are lab-made, meaning you need more than one dental visit for smile restoration. 

What to expect from dental inlays and onlays

The process starts with a consultation to establish if your tooth needs and would be strengthened by a dental inlay or onlay. If you need an onlay or inlay, we’ll first remove the decayed portion. Next, we’ll take impressions of your prepared tooth and send the digital scans to a dental lab to fabricate your restoration.

Since your restoration is lab-made, it will take a few days to complete. Until your restoration is ready, we’ll temporarily restore your tooth with a composite restoration. During your next visit, we’ll cement your onlay or inlay in place using strong dental cement. We’ll refine your restoration until your tooth looks and fits naturally.

Ceramic inlays and onlays are undetectable—no one will notice your restoration unless you say something about it. 

Benefits of ceramic dental inlays and onlays

Dental inlays and onlays offer several benefits when used to restore your smile. Some of these advantages include:

  • Natural look and feel
  • Conservative treatment
  • Long-lasting restoration
  • It provides added stability to the remaining tooth structure

Want to see how dental inlays and onlays can benefit your smile? Call (970) 703-8556 to schedule an appointment with Crossroads Dental. Dr. Farmer will examine your tooth to determine the best treatment to restore your damaged or broken tooth. 

Dr. Amy E. Farmer, DDS near me

Dr. Amy E. Farmer, DDS
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Dr. Amy E. Farmer, a top female dentist in Longmont, CO, received her BA from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1995 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry in 1998. She has been practicing general dentistry in Colorado since 1999. She takes over 100 hours of continuing education annually. Most of her postgraduate education has been completed at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, Boulder-Broomfield County Dental Society, International Association for Orthodontics, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, and Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Farmer believes in personalized services based on a foundation of trust. Winning the Best of Longmont Cosmetic Dentists Award from 2019 to 2024 is a testament to her expertise and experience.