Inlays & Onlays in Massapequa, NY

Compared to other restorative treatments like crowns, our inlays and onlays offer many advantages, including:

• Being quite small, they require the removal of a minimal amount of natural tooth structure
• Actually make the remaining tooth stronger and protect it against chips and cracks
• Look and function just like a natural tooth, especially when made from ceramic.

If you’ve been told you need a crown, ask your dentist about inlays and onlays to learn more.

If more than 50% of your tooth structure is intact, a conservative approach like an onlay can be a great choice. They are much stronger and more durable than a composite filling. 

Here at Greater Long Island Dental, we offer single-visit, same-day onlays built using our fully digital workflow. In just one trip to our office, we can create a picture-perfect onlay, milled from a solid block of porcelain or resin, and bond it directly to your tooth.

Inlays and onlays are quite similar. Both restore decay and provide strength and protection to the remaining natural tooth structure. Additionally, both porcelain or resin can be used to make an inlay or onlay. The key difference, however, lies in the area of the tooth that’s being repaired.

• Inlays - Used to fix cavities and decay in the grooves and deeper spots in the tooth’s chewing surface
• Onlays - Used when decay is affecting the cusps of the tooth (cusps are the raised areas of the tooth that extend above the chewing surface)

If you have more questions, your dentists can answer them at your next appointment at Greater Long Island Dental.

Millions and millions of bacteria live in your mouth. The vast majority are actually beneficial to your health. However, a few bad apples are what cause cavities to form. These “bad bacteria”:

• Feast on simple sugars and produce acid, which can damage the outer layer of your teeth
• Are fueled by a diet rich in sugary and acidic foods like soda, juice, candy, etc. 
• Build up in your mouth and become hard to remove by brushing and flossing alone

How can you reduce your risk of decay and cavities? Eat a balanced diet, practice good at-home brushing habits, and see the dentist regularly for checkups and exams.

See how we’ve helped patients achieve beautiful and healthy smiles with inlays and onlays.