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Inlays and onlays are used to preserve teeth that need more than a filling but less than a crown. By using inlays or onlays rather than a crown, the dentist can preserve more of your tooth. In addition to creating comfortable, natural looking inlays and crowns, we use the highest quality materials so they will last, giving you maximum value for your investment in your smile.
Estero Bay Dental offers inlays and onlays to patients in Estero and Bonita Springs, with Dr. Ivan Vigoa restoring damaged teeth in a way that preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Some teeth have too much damage for a simple filling but are not weak enough to justify covering the whole tooth with a crown. Inlays and onlays fill that middle ground, repairing the damaged area while leaving more of the natural tooth in place.
At Estero Bay Dental, Dr. Ivan Vigoa and our Estero, FL team offer inlays and onlays as a conservative option for teeth with moderate decay or damage.
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are more extensive than dental fillings but less so than caps and crowns. They are typically formed in a dental lab and are made of gold, porcelain, or resin depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. An inlay refers to a restoration that is formed to fit the center of a tooth, whereas an onlay refers to a restoration that encompasses at least one cusp of the tooth. Both inlays and onlays are bonded to the surface of damaged teeth and matched to the color of the surrounding teeth.
Inlays and onlays can serve as alternative treatments to dental crowns when you have a broken or damaged tooth. When fillings are not enough to adequately repair a tooth, an inlay or onlay can be custom-created to fit securely onto the tooth’s surface. By using inlays and onlays rather than crowns where possible, Estero Bay Dental can minimize the amount of tooth that must be ground away. Depending on the materials used, the restoration can be created to appear natural and will have the same function as an organic tooth. Because they are custom made for each patient, inlays and onlays are designed to hold up well to everyday chewing.
The right restoration depends on how much healthy tooth remains. This table shows where each option fits.
| Option | Best Suited For | What To Know |
|---|---|---|
| Filling | Smaller areas of decay or damage | Often completed in a single visit. |
| Inlay | Damage in the center of the chewing surface | Made in a dental lab to fit the center of the tooth. |
| Onlay | Damage that involves at least one cusp | Covers more of the tooth than an inlay but less than a crown. |
| Crown | Teeth with extensive damage or weakness | Covers the whole tooth, so more tooth is reshaped. |
| Root canal with restoration | Teeth with infection in the nerve | Treats the inside of the tooth, and a restoration then protects it. |
You could be a candidate for an inlay or onlay if you have moderate tooth damage or decay and are in search of an alternative restoration option to a crown or cap. Schedule a dental consultation for a complete examination and to find out if an inlay or onlay is right for you. We also offer free second opinions.
Your inlay or onlay restoration will be completed over multiple dental treatments.
Special care needs to be given to your teeth while temporary restorations are in place. It is important to avoid sticky or hard foods that could cause significant damage to temporaries. Once you receive your permanent inlay or onlay, you can resume normal eating, brushing, and flossing habits.
| Habit | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Avoid sticky or hard foods while a temporary is in place | Temporary restorations can be damaged more easily. |
| Brush twice a day and floss daily | Keeps plaque from building up around the edges of the restoration. |
| Keep your exams and cleanings | Lets us check the restoration and the tooth beneath it. |
| Ask about a nightguard if you grind | Helps protect restorations from heavy pressure. |
| Call us about pain or a rough edge | Lets us check the fit early. |
For general background on decay and restorations, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains the basics of tooth decay.
Cost depends on the tooth and the material chosen. Estero Bay Dental accepts several PPO insurance plans, and our team will review your benefits with you before treatment. You can read more on our insurance page. If you have no insurance, our Smile Program is a discount program you can ask about. We accept CareCredit and work with several financing partners, including Cherry Financing, to provide flexible options for paying the cost of treatment over time.
Our Estero office at 21740 S Tamiami Trail #111 welcomes patients from Estero, Bonita Springs, and nearby neighborhoods such as Pelican Landing, Pelican Sound, and Coconut Point. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, and our team speaks both English and Spanish.
Here are answers to questions we often hear about inlays and onlays.
An inlay is formed to fit the center of a tooth, whereas an onlay encompasses at least one cusp of the tooth. Both are bonded to the surface of the damaged tooth and matched to the color of the surrounding teeth.
They are typically formed in a dental lab and are made of gold, porcelain, or resin depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. Our Estero Bay Dental team will talk with you about which material fits.
By using inlays and onlays rather than crowns where possible, we can minimize the amount of tooth that must be ground away. They are used for teeth that need more than a filling but less than a crown.
Your restoration will be completed over multiple dental treatments. First the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken, and then you return to have the permanent restoration bonded.
You may be fitted with a temporary restoration while your permanent inlay or onlay is fabricated. Avoid sticky or hard foods while the temporary is in place.
Once you receive your permanent inlay or onlay, you can resume normal eating, brushing, and flossing habits. We will go over any specific instructions at your visit.
Both are matched to the color of the surrounding teeth. Depending on the materials used, the restoration can be created to appear natural.
You could be a candidate if you have moderate tooth damage or decay and want an alternative to a crown. Schedule a consultation at our Estero office for a complete examination, and ask about a free second opinion.
Coverage varies by plan, and we accept several PPO plans. Our team will review your benefits, and patients without insurance can ask about our Smile Program discount program or our financing options.
If a tooth needs more than a filling, our Estero, FL team is ready to walk you through your options. We proudly serve patients throughout Estero, Bonita Springs, and the surrounding Southwest Florida communities. We invite you to contact our office or request an appointment to schedule your consultation.
