A popular alternative to silver fillings for back teeth requiring small to medium sized restorations, is inlays and onlays. Made from either gold or tooth-coloured porcelain, inlays and onlays are a much more conservative treatment solution to return teeth to their full form and function than silver amalgam fillings or a full crown. Crafted by our laboratory, in a similar process to a crown, they fit your tooth precisely and once secured in place, your new inlay or onlay can be up to 75% stronger than a traditional silver amalgam filling. A major advantage of inlays or onlays is when they bond into position they seal your tooth more effectively than an amalgam filling, preventing the possibility of decay forming or further tooth fracturing, which can sometimes occur with the micro-movement of an amalgam filling. Placement of an inlay or onlay provides you with a strong, long-lasting restorative treatment solution.
As with every dental service, fixing inlays and onlays also starts with a preliminary consultation with our dentist. We assess your specific situation to come up with a treatment plan. During the consultation, we will discuss details about the procedure and the materials to be used. This is also the time to get all your concerns addressed, so feel free to ask us anything and get completely comfortable with the treatment plan. It usually takes a couple of visits at the clinic to complete the procedure. During the first visit, your dentist will clean your mouth and then numb the area to be treated. If you have any damage or decay on the tooth or gums, they are all first drilled away to prepare a clean bacteria-free base for the placement of the inlay or onlay. Your dentist then takes an impression of the damaged tooth. Using this impression, the laboratory prepares the dental inlay or onlay which will be a perfect fit for your tooth. While the lab is preparing the final piece, a temporary replacement inlay or onlay will be placed on the tooth. The final fitting will be done during the second visit. During the final fitting, your dentist will ask for your feedback as she places the inlay or onlay, and ensure that you get a perfect fit. Only after you confirm that the fit is perfect will they bond it to the tooth using a resin adhesive. You might experience a bit of soreness in the area, but this discomfort will subside within a few days.
Both inlays and onlays offer restorative care to the teeth. They also support the tooth structure and prevent further damage. If you’re considering a restorative procedure for your teeth, you may understandably be worried about how it would look. Will people know I have had this procedure? Is it very obvious? Has it improved my smile? Don’t worry, the material used for inlays and onlays mimic natural teeth to such an extent that no one will be able to tell you’ve had a procedure done. They also improve the smile and appearance to a considerable extent.
Take care of the inlays and onlays just as you would your natural teeth. Brushing twice in a day and daily flossing – these are vital to maintain the health of your natural teeth and also of inlays and onlays. Your daily oral hygiene habits will significantly determine the longevity of any dental procedure that you have had. If you want to get in touch with us to learn more about inlays and onlays, or about any other dental procedure, give us a call to set up an appointment with our friendly dentists.
Your Brunswick dentists. Established in the 1950s Brunswick Dental Group has grown to become one of Melbourne’s best known dental clinics. Dentist Dr Jim Yannopoulos commenced in 1987 and now leads a friendly expert dental team…
You can find us right across from Brunswick Town at 266 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056. Our location is perfect for those in Brunswick and nearby areas looking for top-quality dental care. Getting here is a breeze—there’s a tram and bus stop right at the corner, plenty of on-street parking, and we’re just a short 250-metre walk from the train station. We’ve made sure it’s as simple as possible for our patients to visit us.
At Brunswick Dental Group, we cover all your dental needs in one place. From general checkups and preventive care to fillings, crowns, and cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and veneers, we’ve got you covered. We also provide orthodontic treatments to assist you in obtaining a straighter smile. Whatever your dental needs, we provide complete, personalised care for you and your family.
You may schedule an appointment via our website or call us at (03) 9380 1305. An alternative method of communication is via email to reception@bdg.net.au. Our first priority is finding a time that suits your dental requirements and schedule.
Upon becoming a patient at Brunswick Dental Group, we will create new dental records for you. However, if you have recently received dental treatment elsewhere and believe the information is relevant, please bring it along or send it to us. Additionally, we may conduct digital X-rays to assist in planning your treatment.
We accept cash and credit/debit cards as payment methods to guarantee accessibility. Our goal is to offer all of our patients easily accessible payment alternatives.
We advise most adults to visit us twice a year. During these routine checkups, we may thoroughly clean your teeth, examine everything, and offer customised suggestions to maintain the brightness and health of your smile.
