Inlays & Onlays in Artesia
Want to restore a damaged tooth with something stronger than a filling and more conservative than a crown?
At True Care Dental, we make getting an inlay or onlay as comfortable and straightforward as possible. When a tooth has damage or decay too extensive for a filling to handle reliably — but not severe enough to require a full crown — an inlay or onlay offers the ideal middle ground. Custom-crafted from premium porcelain or composite materials, these precision restorations fit your tooth perfectly, restore its full strength, and blend seamlessly with your natural enamel.
We focus on conservative preparation, precise fit, and natural aesthetics so that your restoration protects your tooth effectively while preserving as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible.
Benefits of Inlays & Onlays
Restoring a damaged tooth with an inlay or onlay at the right time can prevent a range of oral health problems, including:
Superior Strength Over Traditional Fillings
For teeth with moderate to large areas of damage or decay, a standard filling may not provide adequate long-term support. Inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental laboratory from highly durable materials, making them significantly stronger and more resistant to the forces of chewing than a direct composite filling.
More Conservative Than a Crown
A crown requires the removal of a substantial amount of healthy tooth structure to accommodate the full coverage restoration. An inlay or onlay restores only the portion of the tooth that is damaged — preserving significantly more of your natural enamel and keeping the tooth as strong and healthy as possible for the long term.
Prevention of Further Decay and Fracture
A tooth with extensive decay or a large failing filling is at serious risk of fracturing or developing new decay around the restoration margins. An inlay or onlay seals the damaged area precisely and protects the tooth from both — stopping the problem from progressing before it requires more invasive treatment.
Natural-Looking, Seamless Results
Porcelain and tooth-colored composite inlays and onlays are carefully matched to the shade of your natural tooth, creating a restoration that is virtually invisible in your smile. Unlike metal fillings, they blend naturally with your enamel and look like a healthy, untreated tooth.
Long-Lasting Durability
Because inlays and onlays are fabricated outside the mouth under controlled laboratory conditions, they are crafted with a level of precision and density that chairside fillings simply cannot match. With proper care, a well-placed inlay or onlay can last fifteen years or longer.
Stable, Well-Fitting Margins
The precise fit of a laboratory-fabricated inlay or onlay creates tight, accurate margins that are far less prone to leakage and secondary decay than the margins of a large direct filling. A better-fitting restoration is a longer-lasting one.
What makes a good candidate?
An inlay or onlay may be the right solution for you if you:
- Have a tooth with decay or damage too large for a filling to restore reliably
- Have an old, large filling that is cracking, failing, or causing sensitivity
- Have a tooth that is at risk of fracture due to its compromised structure
- Want a more conservative restoration than a full crown wherever clinically appropriate
- Are looking for a metal-free, natural-looking restoration for a back tooth
- Have a cusp that has broken or is at risk of breaking due to existing decay or damage
- Have been recommended an inlay or onlay following a thorough examination and X-rays
At True Care Dental, we carefully evaluate the extent of the damage, the remaining healthy tooth structure, and the long-term needs of the tooth before recommending an inlay or onlay — ensuring it is genuinely the most appropriate and conservative restoration for your specific situation.
Step by Step Process
Your Inlay or Onlay, Step by Step
Examination and Treatment Planning
We begin with a thorough exam and digital X-rays to assess the full extent of the damage and confirm that an inlay or onlay is the most appropriate restoration for your tooth. We explain clearly what we found, why we are recommending this type of restoration over a filling or crown, and what the process involves from start to finish.
Anesthesia and Preparation
Local anesthesia is administered to ensure you are completely comfortable before we begin. We carefully remove the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth and shape the remaining structure to create a precise, clean foundation that will allow the inlay or onlay to fit with maximum accuracy. We remove only what is necessary — nothing more.
Impressions and Shade Matching
Detailed impressions of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth are taken and sent to our dental laboratory, where your inlay or onlay will be custom-crafted with precision. We carefully match the shade of the restoration to your natural tooth so the finished result blends completely and naturally into your smile.
Placement of a Temporary Restoration
While your permanent inlay or onlay is being fabricated — typically one to two weeks — we place a temporary restoration to protect the prepared tooth and maintain your function and comfort in the meantime.
Fitting and Bonding of Your Permanent Restoration
When your inlay or onlay returns from the laboratory, you come in for your second appointment. We remove the temporary restoration, carefully try in the permanent piece, and check the fit, bite, and appearance with precision. Once everything is confirmed to be perfect, the restoration is bonded permanently in place using a strong dental adhesive — becoming a solid, integrated part of your tooth.
Final Polish and Aftercare
We polish the restoration to a smooth, natural finish and walk you through how to care for it at home. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, your inlay or onlay is built to serve you reliably for many years to come.
Why Choose True Care Dental for Inlays & Onlays?
Expert care, advanced technology, and a genuinely friendly team — everything you need for a smooth, stress-free inlay or onlay experience.
A Conservative Philosophy
We always look for the restoration that does the most good with the least removal of healthy tooth structure. When an inlay or onlay can do the job that a larger restoration would handle less conservatively, that is what we recommend — because preserving your natural tooth is always the priority.
Precision Laboratory Restorations
Every inlay and onlay we place is crafted by a skilled dental laboratory to precise specifications. The quality of the fabrication directly impacts the fit, durability, and longevity of the restoration — and we never compromise on that standard.
Natural-Looking, Metal-Free Materials
We use high-quality porcelain and tooth-colored composite materials that match your natural enamel and contain no metal. The result is a restoration that is functionally excellent and completely invisible in your smile.
Accurate Fit for Long-Term Success
We take detailed impressions and check the fit meticulously at delivery to ensure your inlay or onlay seats with precision and functions naturally. A restoration that fits perfectly lasts longer, feels better, and protects the tooth more effectively.
Comfortable Care From Start to Finish
From the anesthesia before preparation to the careful final bonding of your restoration, your comfort is a priority throughout. Both appointments are efficient and well-managed, and most patients find the entire experience much easier than they anticipated.
Trusted Care in Your Community
Patients choose True Care Dental because they receive honest, conservative, and genuinely skilled care at every visit. We’re proud to be the practice our community trusts to restore their teeth with precision and integrity.
Insurance and Payment Plans for Inlays & Onlays
We accept most PPO dental insurance plans and will help you verify your benefits before your appointment so you know exactly what to expect. If you don’t have insurance or need additional support, we offer flexible payment options to make your care accessible and stress-free. We believe a thorough dental exam should never be out of reach.
What Our Patients Say About Us
"Very thorough and knowledgeable"
Fantastic experience during my procedure. Receptionist was warm and friendly making the scheduling process easy. Dr. Alyssa Kim who treated me was very thorough and knowledgeable taking her time to clearly explain my treatment options. I thought I needed a costly procedure, but she took her time to explain the options in prioritizing keeping the natural tooth. I highly recommend this practice if you’re looking for quality, professional care, and a doctor who prioritizes your dental health.
"No fluff, no nonsense"
The clinic is clean, sharp, and the staff is incredibly welcoming. But what really matters is the care, and the doctors here are true professionals. No fluff, no nonsense, just high level expertise that makes you feel completely confident in your treatment. Solid, reliable dental office. Five stars.
What is the difference between an inlay & an onlay?
An inlay restores damage or decay that falls within the cusps — the raised points — of a back tooth, fitting into the prepared area like a puzzle piece. An onlay covers a larger area and extends over one or more of the cusps of the tooth, making it better suited for more extensive damage.
How are inlays and onlays different from fillings?
A direct filling is placed and shaped chairside in a single appointment using composite resin. An inlay or onlay is fabricated in a dental laboratory from impressions of the prepared tooth, resulting in a restoration with greater precision, strength, and durability.
How long do inlays and onlays last?
With proper care and regular dental visits, a well-placed inlay or onlay can last fifteen years or longer.
Does getting an inlay or onlay hurt?
The preparation is performed under local anesthesia and should be completely comfortable. You may feel pressure and vibration but no sharp pain.
How many appointments does an inlay or onlay take?
Most inlays and onlays require two appointments — one for preparation, impressions, and temporary restoration placement, and a second appointment approximately one to two weeks later to fit and bond the permanent restoration.
Schedule Your Consultation at True Care Dental Today
Looking for a dental team that truly takes the time to get it right? From your very first visit, True Care Dental is committed to giving you a thorough, honest, and comfortable experience that sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.