Conservative Tooth Restoration: Inlays, Onlays & Overlays

At HCMC Dental Clinic, our philosophy focuses on **tooth structure preservation**. Traditional dentistry often relies on shaving down 360 degrees of healthy tooth enamel to place a full crown. In contrast, inlays and onlays only require the removal of decayed or damaged sections, preserving your natural tooth walls and preventing future nerve damage.

These restorations are categorized by the extent of the tooth surface they cover:

• Inlays: Fit inside the grooves (cusps) of your chewing teeth, replacing large fillings.
• Onlays: Cover one or more damaged tooth cusps, restoring chewing support.
• Overlays & Partial Crowns (3/4 Crowns): Cover the entire chewing surface, providing full reinforcement while keeping aesthetic outer tooth walls intact.

Structural Integrity: Dr. Cuong highlights that teeth restored with custom-bonded ceramic onlays are up to 75% stronger than those restored with large direct composite fillings. Keeping your natural enamel intact preserves the tooth's sensory feedback, providing a more natural bite feel.

Gum Margin Health: Full crowns place the restoration margin close to or below the gum line, which can lead to gum recession or irritation. The margins of inlays and onlays are typically kept well above the gum line, facilitating easy flossing and superior periodontal health.

Immediately Following Placement:

• Avoid chewing sticky or hard foods for the first 2 hours until the resin cement achieves full cure.
• Mild tooth sensitivity to hot and cold is normal for a few days due to minor pulp irritation from preparation.

Long-Term Maintenance:

• Brush twice daily with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and floss thoroughly around the margins.
• If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), wear a custom nightguard to protect the ceramic edges from micro-fractures under high stress.
• Schedule professional check-ups and cleanings every 6 months to monitor marginal integrity.