Living with a chipped, cracked, or worn tooth can be frustrating, especially when that old filling keeps bothering you or when you're avoiding chewing on one side of your mouth. You know you need a solution, but you're not sure if a simple filling or a full crown is the answer.Step-by-Step Process for an Inlay or Onlay
Getting an inlay or onlay at our Madison, AL, dental office is completed in one visit or two, depending on your needs.
- Comprehensive Exam — Dr. Talbert conducts a thorough examination and takes x-rays to confirm that an inlay or onlay is the most appropriate treatment option for you.
- Tooth Preparation — After numbing the area for complete comfort, Dr. Talbert removes only the damaged or decayed enamel, preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
- Digital Scanning — High-resolution digital scanning captures detailed 3D images of your prepared tooth in seconds to create an accurate digital model without messy impression materials.
- Design and Fabrication — For same-day results, we use advanced CAD software and our 3D printing technology to create the restoration in-house. More complex cases require two visits because we send the digital impressions to a custom dental lab. In this case, we'll place a temporary restoration to protect the tooth until the final version is completed.
- Precision Bonding — We carefully check the final restoration and try it in for a proper fit and shade match. Once approved, we permanently bond it to the tooth using advanced resin cement and light-curing technology for strength and longevity.
