Dental Inlays and Onlays in Friendswood, TX

As a comprehensive and full-service family practice, Made Ya Smile Dental offers a wide range of services to meet your family's oral health needs. Dental inlays and onlays are a type of restorative procedure that general dentist Dr. Peter Nishino performs to bring health, strength, and appearance to teeth that have decay or damage. Placed on back teeth, inlays and onlays are ideal when a tooth needs a repair that falls between a filling and a dental crown. Dr. Nishino customizes dental inlays and onlays of porcelain, composite, or metal materials. While inlays fit within the center of the chewing surface, onlays (also called partial crowns) cover the center area along with one or more cusp tips of the tooth. Inlays and onlays are crafted either inside of the mouth (direct) or outside of the mouth in a dental lab (indirect) and may be an important part of a restorative treatment plan. To learn if a dental inlay or onlay can help repair your damaged or decayed tooth, schedule a visit with our experienced Friendswood, TX team today.

Dental inlays and onlays at Made Ya Smile in Friendswood, TX offer a variety of advantages as minimally invasive and long-lasting oral restorations for chipped or eroded teeth. Some of the primary benefits are as follows:

• Minimizes the prospect of ongoing erosion or damage by shielding the tooth
• Avoids staining and discoloration, maintaining a brightened aesthetic
• Offers a comfortable and functional bite
• Allows for a less invasive alternative to conventional dental crowns
• Improves the total strength and function of the tooth
• Blends subtly with the adjoining teeth
• Offers resilience and longevity
• Conserves a larger portion of your existing tooth as opposed to traditional dental crowns

A dental inlay or onlay may best suit your restorative needs if you have a back tooth that has a cavity or is broken and needs more coverage than what a simple filling can offer but not quite the protection of a full dental crown. Inlays and onlays are custom dental restorations that strengthen your tooth while returning chewing function and cosmetic appearance. When you visit our Friendswood, TX practice for your treatment consultation, our team will take low-radiation digital x-rays of the damaged tooth and Dr. Nishino will examine your mouth to assess your condition. He will then present your treatment options and let you know if an inlay or onlay may be suited for your restorative needs. At that time, we can also discuss the best type of material for your restoration.

As an experienced and compassionate dentist, Dr. Nishino always takes the most conservative approach to restore oral health. In many cases, this means placing an inlay or onlay over a dental crown, which requires greater removal of tooth structure to place. He and our team cater to your comfort and take a gentle and caring approach to meet your treatment needs. Sedation dentistry options are available if you are nervous about your procedure and a local anesthetic will be used to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

When you are numb, Dr. Nishino will use advanced instruments to clear away the decay and damaged portion of your tooth. Direct composite inlays and onlays will be placed chairside using a tooth-colored material shaded the color of your enamel. If we are using an indirect method for your inlay or onlay, our team will take an impression of your prepared tooth and forward it to our lab where your restoration will be custom-crafted in porcelain or metal (often gold) material. A temporary restoration, in this case, will be placed in your tooth. When Dr. Nishino receives your permanent inlay or onlay, we will have you come back for it to be cemented permanently in place. As a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist, Dr. Nishino will ensure your new restoration blends evenly with your tooth structure for a comfortable fit, feel, and finish.

Recovering from an inlay or onlay visit is generally like that of a filling or crown. We suggest that you avoid eating until you no longer feel numbness in your mouth. You may notice slight discomfort or sensitivity in your treated tooth, but these symptoms should go away after a few days. When cared for properly, your inlay or onlay can last for many years. Brushing and flossing very well each day and maintaining routine dental cleaning and exam visits with our Made Ya Smile Dental team is the best way to keep your new restoration in great shape. During your visits with our Friendswood, TX team, Dr. Nishino will evaluate the health of your tooth and check to see that your inlay or onlay is still intact and secure. If you should have any issues with your restoration or it feels loose at any time, please get in touch with our office as soon as possible.

Dental inlays and onlays are effective treatment options for bringing health back to damaged teeth and preserving your smile. As such, your dental insurance may offer some coverage toward your care. We will get in touch with your provider and calculate any personal costs. Made Ya Smile Dental accepts most PPO insurance plans and will be glad to file your claim on your behalf. Dr. Nishino and our team want to help you and your family enjoy lasting and healthy smiles. We take several types of payments and can provide information on low-cost CareCredit® financing to help make your family's treatment even more affordable.

How long do inlays and onlays last?
Generally speaking, dental inlays and onlays can last between 20 – 30 years. We will provide you with care instructions to help ensure your dental restorations are long-lasting.

What happens if my inlay or onlay breaks?
Contact our office immediately if your dental inlay or onaly breaks or becomes damaged. Our team will assess any damage, but we are often able to reposition the restoration to its original position.

Can an inlay or onlay be adjusted?
At Made Ya Smile, we will work to place your inlay or onlay as precisely as possible. In the event your restoration needs to be adjusted, we can help make the necessary adjustments to help your restoration last as long as possible.

Inlays and onlays are custom restorations that bring function and health back to your teeth while blending naturally with your smile. By restoring a decayed or damaged back tooth with an inlay or onlay early on, we can often help you avoid the need for greater and costlier care in the future. Dr. Nishino is proud to offer inlays and onlays as a conservative approach to care and can customize your restoration in composite, porcelain, or metal to meet your needs and treatment preferences. If a damaged tooth is interfering with your oral health, let our Friendswood, TX team provide the personalized care you need for a comfortable smile. Call Made Ya Smile Dental today to make your appointment.