Inlays/Onlays
What are inlays and onlays?
When over 1/2 of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are usually made of a porcelain material. Historically they were made of gold. At Gate Clinic we can offer a range of porcelain fillings and inlays to suit the needs of the patient usually in one visit. Using computerised imaging of the tooth with tiny three dimensional cameras we can design the filling to within a 20 micron fit. We can amend the details of how the teeth meet each other with repeatable accuracy and we cut or “mill” the filling out of a solid block, chosen to match the colour of your natural teeth.
The porcelain is then etched and treated to be able to bond into the cavity to restore the ideal shape and fit precisely to the neighbouring teeth and the opposing teeth. The porcelain filing is translucent to x rays and lets us monitor the join at future appointments. The colour match is excellent and the colour and shape will wear the same and age with the natural teeth. You can even choose to watch us do the design. Gate Clinic Smiles Dental was the first dental practice is Ireland to incorporated the technology in 2001 and Dr Paul Moore became the trainer for Cerec in Ireland.