When Dr. Brianne Luu and her team at Gentle Care Dentistry spot damaged or decayed teeth that are unable to support a traditional filling, she may recommend to patients the benefits of placing inlays and onlays. Dental restorations such as these are commonly used for patients in the Azusa, CA, area who are faced with the need to repair a tooth. While dental crowns are commonly used in situations such as this, Dr. Luu feels that inlays and onlays are much more conservative options and are best in certain cases.

What is an inlay or onlay?

An inlay or onlay is a dental restoration that is custom-made and tooth-colored.  It is made to fit in or on a tooth’s surface to restore it and keep bacteria from entering into the inner canals of the tooth. These restorations are much more conservative than dental crowns, which require significant removal of healthy tooth enamel to bond in place. Inlays and onlays require less preparation and can provide a solution that is most appropriate for certain dental situations faced by our team.

What can I expect during the dental inlay and onlay procedure?

The team at Gentle Care Dentistry understands that many patients might have anxiety about having dental work done and may be wondering what to expect during the fabrication and placement of dental inlays and onlays. Below are the steps performed throughout the process:

• Cleaning and preparation. Using specialized instruments, our dentist will remove the decayed and damaged parts of the tooth after the patient has been numbed with anesthetics for comfort. Dr. Brianne Luu will keep as much healthy enamel as possible.
• Scans and temporaries.  Our team will use the latest technology to scan the prepared tooth.  No more use of dental putty to make a mold of the prepared tooth.  Digital scanning is much more accurate, and there is no fear of distortion of the impression.  The scan is automatically sent to the lab. During the wait time, a temporary restoration is placed.
•  Fitting and bonding. After approximately one to two weeks, the final restoration will be completed, and patients return to the dental office to have the temporary removed and the new inlay or onlay bonded in place to complete the procedure.

Discuss your dental needs with Dr. Brianne Luu

If you need an inlay or onlay and want to find out more about what to expect during your appointment, contact Gentle Care Dentistry today. Patients of the Azusa, California area can call the office at +1 626-466-9596 to schedule an appointment with our team at 232 N. Azusa Avenue. We are always accepting new patients and families seeking comprehensive dental care in the community.

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