Restore Your Teeth with Precision Dental Inlays & Onlays
Damaged or decayed teeth can affect your daily comfort and confidence. At Glenwood Dental Associates in Smyrna, DE, Dr. Brian Wisk offers dental inlays and onlays – conservative restoration solutions that preserve your natural tooth structure while providing lasting protection. Our patients from Dover, Clayton, and Kenton appreciate these treatments for their ability to restore both function and beauty to their smiles.
Ready to strengthen your smile with precision dental care? Contact Glenwood Dental Associates at (302) 653-5011 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Wisk. Our Smyrna dental office provides comprehensive restorative solutions that deliver the lasting results you deserve.
Why Choose Glenwood Dental Associates for Your Inlay & Onlay Treatment
Dr. Brian Wisk brings over 25 years of dental experience to every restoration procedure at our Smyrna practice. As a University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine graduate with hospital residency training at Christiana Care, Dr. Wisk combines advanced clinical skills with a gentle chairside manner. We maintain active memberships in leading dental organizations, including the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry, keeping us current with the latest restoration techniques and materials.
Located conveniently in Smyrna, our dental practice serves families throughout central Delaware with comprehensive restorative dental care. We take pride in building long-lasting relationships with our patients, providing personalized treatment plans that fit individual needs and budgets. Our commitment to conservative dentistry means we always explore options that preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.
What Are Dental Inlays & Onlays?
Dental inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations that repair damaged teeth when traditional fillings are insufficient, yet a full crown would remove too much healthy tooth structure. These precision restorations are crafted from durable, tooth-colored materials such as porcelain or composite resin, making them virtually invisible within your smile. Inlays fit within the cusps of your tooth like a puzzle piece, while onlays extend over one or more cusps to provide broader coverage for larger areas of damage.
Types of Inlay & Onlay Restorations
Dental Inlays
- Conservative restoration option for teeth with decay or damage contained within the cusps (pointed parts of your tooth’s surface)
- Ideal for moderate damage where traditional fillings might fail, but a dental crown would be excessive
- Precise fit bonds directly to your tooth surface, strengthening it while preventing further decay
Dental Onlays
- Extended coverage that reaches beyond the cusps to cover one or more pointed surfaces of your tooth
- Partial crown alternative providing more protection than inlays while preserving more natural structure than full crowns
- Comprehensive solution for larger areas of decay or damage while maintaining tooth integrity
Material Options
- Porcelain restorations offer superior aesthetics with excellent stain resistance and natural appearance
- Composite resin options provide cost-effective solutions with good durability and color matching
- Gold restorations deliver maximum strength and longevity for back teeth, where aesthetics are less critical
Benefits of Choosing Inlays & Onlays
When it comes to restoring damaged teeth, inlays and onlays offer unique advantages over traditional fillings and crowns. These restorations combine strength, aesthetics, and long-term protection, giving patients a reliable way to preserve their natural smile.
- Preservation of Natural Tooth Structure: These conservative treatments remove only damaged portions, keeping healthy tooth material intact for long-term oral health
- Superior Durability: With proper care, quality inlays and onlays can last 20-30 years, making them a cost-effective long-term investment
- Perfect Color Matching: Advanced materials and techniques create restorations that blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth
- Enhanced Fit and Function: Custom-made precision provides better margins and fit compared to traditional fillings, reducing the risk of future problems
- Easy Maintenance: Smooth surfaces are easier to clean than crowns, supporting better long-term oral hygiene
- Stain Resistance: High-quality materials resist discoloration, maintaining their appearance over time
- Strengthened Tooth Structure: The bonding process actually reinforces the remaining tooth, making it stronger than before treatment
Who Benefits from Inlay & Onlay Treatment?
Not every dental restoration is one-size-fits-all. Inlays and onlays are best suited for patients who want to maintain as much natural tooth as possible while still addressing moderate dental damage with lasting results.
Patients with moderate to large cavities that exceed the scope of traditional fillings but don’t require full crown coverage- Individuals with old, failing fillings that need replacement with more durable, long-lasting restorations
- People seeking conservative alternatives to crowns who want to preserve maximum natural tooth structure
- Those prioritizing aesthetics who desire invisible restorations that match their natural teeth perfectly
- Patients who want long-term solutions and prefer treatments that minimize future dental work requirements
- Individuals with good oral hygiene who can maintain these restorations with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits
Patients with moderate to large cavitiesThe Inlay & Onlay Treatment Process
Every inlay and onlay is designed with precision for a comfortable, natural-looking fit. From the first consultation to the final polish, the process is carefully tailored to protect your tooth and restore full function.
- Initial Consultation and Examination: Dr. Wisk thoroughly evaluates your tooth condition using digital X-rays and clinical examination to determine if inlays or onlays are the optimal treatment choice
- Tooth Preparation: Any decay or damaged tooth structure is carefully removed, and the tooth is prepared with precise margins for the restoration
- Digital Impressions: Highly accurate impressions are taken of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth to guide the creation of your custom restoration
- Temporary Protection: A temporary filling protects your tooth while your permanent restoration is crafted in a specialized dental laboratory
- Custom Restoration Creation: Your inlay or onlay is carefully fabricated using your specific impressions and color matching requirements
- Final Placement: At your second appointment, the temporary filling is removed, and your new restoration is bonded permanently in place
- Bite Adjustment: Dr. Wisk makes precise adjustments to achieve comfortable, proper bite alignment
- Final Polishing: The restoration is polished to a smooth finish that matches your natural teeth
Investment in Your Dental Health
The cost of dental inlays and onlays varies based on several factors, including the size of restoration needed, the material selected, and the location of the affected tooth. While these restorations may require a higher initial investment than traditional fillings, their exceptional longevity and effectiveness often make them more economical over time. Most dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for inlays and onlays as medically necessary treatments rather than cosmetic procedures.
At Glenwood Dental Associates, we work with most major insurance providers and offer flexible payment options to make quality dental care accessible. During your consultation, our team will provide detailed cost information and help you understand your insurance benefits to make informed treatment decisions.
Maintaining Your Inlay or Onlay
Proper care extends the life of your restoration significantly. Daily brushing and flossing remove plaque and bacteria that can compromise the margins of your restoration. Regular dental check-ups allow Dr. Wisk to monitor your restoration and address any concerns early. Avoiding hard foods, ice chewing, and using teeth as tools protects both your restoration and surrounding teeth from damage.
Most patients find that inlays and onlays feel completely natural within days of placement. The smooth surfaces and precise fit make them comfortable and functional for eating, speaking, and smiling with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary difference lies in the coverage area and the extent of tooth repair needed. Inlays fit within the cusps (pointed parts) of your tooth, much like a filling, while onlays extend over one or more cusps to provide broader coverage. Your specific tooth condition determines which option Dr. Wisk recommends. Both restore function and appearance while preserving maximum natural tooth structure.
The entire process typically requires two appointments spanning two to three weeks. Your first visit involves tooth preparation, decay removal, and taking precise impressions for your custom restoration. The second appointment, scheduled after your restoration is completed in the dental laboratory, involves permanent bonding and final adjustments. Each appointment usually takes 60-90 minutes, depending on complexity.
Dr. Wisk evaluates several factors during your consultation, including the extent of decay, remaining healthy tooth structure, and location of damage. If you have significant decay that’s too large for a filling but still have substantial healthy tooth structure, an inlay or onlay provides the ideal solution. This conservative approach avoids the extensive tooth reduction required for crowns while providing superior durability compared to large fillings.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, with any sensitivity typically resolving within a few days. You can resume normal eating habits immediately, though we recommend starting with softer foods for the first 24 hours. Some patients notice slight bite adjustments needed, which Dr. Wisk can easily address at a brief follow-up appointment if necessary. Your restoration should feel comfortable and natural within a week of placement.
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, quality inlays and onlays commonly last 20-30 years or longer. Their longevity depends on factors including oral hygiene habits, diet, teeth grinding, and the size of the restoration. Dr. Wisk monitors your restorations during routine check-ups to address any concerns early and maximize their lifespan.
Schedule Your Inlay & Onlay Consultation Today
Don’t let damaged teeth affect your comfort and confidence any longer. Dr. Brian Wisk and our caring team at Glenwood Dental Associates are ready to restore your smile with precision inlay and onlay treatments. Our Smyrna dentist provides a comfortable, welcoming environment where we take time to understand your specific needs and develop treatment plans that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Call (302) 653-5011 today to schedule your consultation. We proudly welcome patients from Dover, Clayton, and Kenton who are seeking conservative, long-lasting dental restorations. Your healthier, stronger smile is just a phone call away.