inlays and onlays
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The Smart Middle Ground Between a Filling and a Crown

When a tooth has too much damage for a simple filling but not enough to justify a full crown, an inlay or onlay is often the ideal solution. These custom-made restorations fit precisely into or over the damaged portion of a tooth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure than a crown while providing far more durability and coverage than a standard filling.

At Amigos Dental for Kids & Adults, we offer inlay and onlay consultations with no appointment needed. Walk in any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and our Los Angeles team will assess your tooth and recommend the most conservative, effective treatment for your situation.

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What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are both indirect restorations, meaning they are custom-fabricated outside the mouth at a dental lab and then bonded to the tooth at a second appointment. They are sometimes called partial crowns because they restore a portion of the tooth rather than covering it entirely.

Dental Inlay

An inlay fits within the cusps, the raised points of a back tooth. Think of it as a precisely fitted puzzle piece that fills the central chewing surface of the tooth. Inlays are used when the damage or decay is contained to the inner portion of the tooth and the surrounding cusps are intact and healthy.

Dental Onlay

An onlay extends beyond the cusps to cover one or more of the outer chewing surfaces of the tooth. It is used when the damage is more extensive, involving one or more cusps, but not so severe that the entire tooth needs to be covered with a full crown. Onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns for this reason.

What Happens During an Inlay or Onlay Procedure at Amigos Dental for Kids & Adults

Getting an inlay or onlay typically involves two visits. The process is similar to that of a crown but more conservative in terms of how much natural tooth structure is removed.

CONSULT

This is the first step in the full arch process. During this appointment, you will meet with your Dr. Kurt O. Bally DMD FICOI to discuss your needs and options for dental implants. The consultation will typically take about an hour. This first and free visit is $525 value.
STEP 1
STEP 2

RECORDS

Your dentist will take a series of records, including dental x-rays, 3D scans, and photographs. These records will be used to create a treatment plan and to fabricate your dental implants.

PRE-SURGICAL CONSULT

This appointment is held before the surgery to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the recovery process. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have.
STEP 3
STEP 4

SURGERY

This is the procedure where the implants are placed into your jawbone. The surgery typically takes about 2 hours per jaw and is done safely with oral anesthesia. All patients leave with their new temporary teeth on the day of the surgery and will return within 1-2 weeks to have their first post-op visit and receive their fist implant prototype teeth. It is important to remain on a very soft diet after surgery and before receiving your first prototype.

PROTOTYPES

1-2 weeks after your surgery you will return to check your healing and receive your first set of implant prototype teeth that will be attached directly to your implants. We allow up to 3 versions of teeth during the healing process to ensure the dentist and patient is happy with the look and feel. As your implants heal your dentist will create a series of prototypes for your implant bridge. These prototypes will be used to test the fit and function of the bridge before it is permanently placed.
STEP 5
STEP 6

HEALING

The implants will need to heal for 4-6 months before the next step can be taken. Dr. Bally will also provide a night guard to help prevent excess pressure from going to your implants. As you heal you will remain on a soft diet.

PROTOTYPING AND VERIFICATION

Once the implants have healed, your dentist will create a final prototype of your dental bridge. This prototype will be verified to ensure that it is the correct size, shape, and color. Before authorizing the fabrication of your new zirconia implant smile.
STEP 7
STEP 8

DELIVERY

This is the appointment where your permanent dental bridge is placed. The procedure typically takes about 1 hour. It's a truly rewarding visit for everyone.

POST-DELIVERY CONSULT AND DOCUMENTATION

This appointment is held after your new zirconia implant smile is installed and your final night guard is given and instructions to maintain your smile are discussed. Final pictures, X-rays and video mark the end of your zirconia implant smile journey.
STEP 9
STEP 10

MAINTENANCE

Your zirconia implant smile will need to be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to function properly. This may include cleaning, adjustments, and checkups.

Examination & X-Ray

We examine the tooth thoroughly and take X-rays to assess the full extent of damage and confirm that an inlay or onlay is the appropriate restoration.

Removing Decay and Preparing the Tooth

Any decay is removed and the tooth is carefully shaped to receive the inlay or onlay. With these restorations only the damaged portion of the tooth is prepared — healthy surrounding structure is left completely intact.

Impressions

A precise impression of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab where your custom inlay or onlay is fabricated to fit exactly. We also record the shade of your surrounding teeth if a tooth-colored material is being used.

Temporary Restoration

A temporary filling or restoration is placed over the prepared tooth to protect it while the lab fabricates your permanent piece — typically one to two weeks.

When your inlay or onlay is ready

we remove the temporary restoration and try in the permanent piece to check the fit, bite, and appearance. Once everything is confirmed we bond it permanently to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive and cure it in place.

Final result

The final result is a seamless restoration that is indistinguishable from the surrounding tooth and significantly stronger than a direct filling over a large area.
Most patients adapt to their inlay or onlay immediately, it should feel completely natural within a day or two.

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome

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213-318-5474