At OptiSmile, we understand tooth decay can be a challenging and painful experience. While traditional metal fillings may be viable, our expert team at OptiSmile is proud to offer dental inlays and overlays as a superior alternative. Trust our skilled professionals to provide exceptional care and personalised treatment plans, ensuring optimal oral health and a revitalised smile.
Explore the remarkable benefits of dental inlays and onlays, a dental solution that expertly addresses decay or damage beyond the scope of traditional fillings.
Discover the transformative power of dental inlays and onlays at our leading-edge dental practice in Cape Town! Dental inlays and onlays are bespoke restorative solutions designed to repair teeth that have suffered from decay or damage beyond a traditional cavity. Unlike standard fillings, inlays and onlays are tailored to precisely fit the unique contours of your tooth, ensuring optimal strength, stability, and aesthetic appeal. An inlay is used when the damage is contained within the tooth’s cusps or biting surface, whilst an onlay is used when the damage extends beyond the cusps.
The process for obtaining dental inlays and onlays begins with a comprehensive examination of the affected tooth, followed by an iTero scanner to generate an accurate digital impression. This advanced technology eliminates the need for uncomfortable and messy traditional impressions. With the help of our leading-edge CEREC same-day procedure, the inlays and onlays are created on our CEREC CAD-CAM milling unit onsite in 15 minutes or less. The restoration is then sintered in a special furnace and emerges as a perfect replacement part for your tooth. OptiSmile only uses high-quality E-max materials. E.max materials are selected for their exceptional durability and natural appearance, ensuring a visually appealing outcome.
Once the custom restoration is finished, the inlay is precisely positioned within the tooth cavity, effectively sealing it and preventing additional damage. The onlay is then expertly situated on the tooth’s surface, providing reinforcement and restoring the tooth’s original structure. The final stage involves bonding the inlay or onlay to the tooth, resulting in a long-lasting and comfortable solution for damaged or decayed teeth. This streamlined CEREC same-day process enables patients to receive restorations quickly without compromising quality or aesthetics.
OptiSmile stays abreast of the latest advancements in dental technology, ensuring efficient and effective treatments for your smile.
With state-of-the-art equipment, OptiSmile provides durable dental inlays and onlays that keep you smiling confidently for a lifetime.
Our numbing wand minimises anxiety and ensures dental injections with minimal discomfort for a stress-free dental visit.
Utilising a Leica Microscope, OptiSmile identifies and addresses potential dental issues before they escalate.
We pride ourselves on offering gentle and tailored dental care, maintaining our patients’ oral health.
OptiSmile provides transparent, agreed-upon fees before treatment, ensuring peace of mind and accommodating payment plans.
Take a look at our most common questions about dental inlays and overlays. If you have further questions, please reach out to us for help.
Both dental inlays and crowns are restorative treatments for damaged or decayed teeth, but they serve different purposes. Dental inlays repair damage within the cusps or biting surface of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth, protecting it from further damage and restoring its natural shape. Inlays are a more conservative option, preserving more of the tooth’s natural structure than crowns, making them ideal for cases where the damage is less extensive. On the other hand, crowns are recommended when the tooth has experienced more significant damage or requires additional support.
Dental inlays and overlays are designed to be long-lasting solutions, with an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years or even longer with proper care. The longevity of these restorations depends on various factors, including the material used, the location of the inlay or overlay, and the patient’s oral hygiene habits. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing daily) can significantly extend the life of your inlays and overlays.
Dental inlays and overlays offer several advantages over traditional fillings. They are crafted from high-quality materials such as porcelain, which provides superior aesthetics by blending seamlessly with your natural teeth and offers enhanced durability and strength. Inlays and overlays are custom-made to fit the contours of your tooth precisely, ensuring optimal comfort and stability. Additionally, they provide a better seal, reducing the risk of further tooth decay and requiring minimal removal of healthy tooth structure. In cases of extensive damage or deterioration where a traditional filling may not be sufficient, inlays and overlays are often considered a superior restorative option.
