A large filling, a cracked tooth or a worn restoration does not always mean that a dental crown is necessary. In some cases, a full zirconia inlay or onlay can restore the damaged part of the tooth while preserving healthy tooth structure.
If your dentist has recommended a zirconia inlay or onlay, you may be wondering what the treatment involves and what to expect at each appointment. In this guide, we walk you through the entire patient journey, from your initial consultation and examination to tooth preparation, fitting, aftercare and long-term maintenance.
Preparing for your zirconia inlay or onlay consultation is an important step in ensuring that your appointment runs smoothly and that you make the most of your time with the dentist. While no extensive preparation is required, bringing the key information helps your dentist better understand your health and provide more personalised recommendations.
Before your appointment, we suggest the following:
Once you are comfortably settled, your holistic consultation begins with a conversation, not a clinical examination. Your dentist takes the time to get to know you, understand your symptoms and concerns and learn more about your overall health. This may include questions about the reason behind your visit, your symptoms and your oral health history.
Your dentist may also review your medical history, including any pre-existing medical conditions and current medications. To gain a complete picture of your overall health, your dentist may also discuss lifestyle factors such as teeth grinding, clenching or dietary habits.
Finally, your dentist will discuss your treatment and long-term oral health goals. Whether your priority is to preserve as much natural tooth as possible, replace a failing filling or avoid a full dental crown, understanding what matters the most to you forms the foundation of a good treatment plan that supports your immediate concerns and treatment expectations.
Following your consultation, your dentist will carry out a comprehensive dental examination to assess the affected tooth in greater detail. The information gathered during the consultation helps your dentist identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and the appropriate treatment options.
Your dentist will carefully assess the affected tooth, the surrounding teeth and the supporting gums to identify the extent of the decay and any underlying issues that have to be addressed.
During the examination, your dentist may assess:
This assessment helps your dentist to determine whether the affected tooth can be predictably restored with a full zirconia inlay or onlay or if other restorative options are more suitable.
In many cases, your dentist will carry out digital imaging to assess the structures in your mouth that cannot be seen during a visual examination. These may include:
These scans allow your dentist to detect hidden decay, evaluate nerve health, assess cracks and measure the amount of remaining tooth structure. Not every patient requires every type of imaging, and your dentist will only recommend the investigations that are necessary for your individual circumstances.
Once your consultation and assessment are complete, your dentist will determine whether a zirconia inlay or onlay is appropriate for your specific needs.
One of the main factors that impacts your suitability for a zirconia inlay or onlay is the amount of healthy tooth remaining once the decay or old filling has been removed. A good candidate for zirconia inlays and onlays is a patient who has a tooth that has lost too much structure for a conventional filling but still retains enough healthy tooth to avoid a dental crown. Preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible is a key principle of holistic dentistry, and an inlay or onlay will only be recommended when it is appropriate.
Your dentist will also evaluate the extent of the decay. Smaller cavities can often be restored with a conventional composite filling, while larger ones may benefit from the strength and durability of a zirconia restoration or full crown.
Finally, your dentist will assess the overall health of the tooth, including whether there are deep cracks or infection present. In some cases, these underlying issues need to be addressed first before a restoration can be fixed.
If you decide to proceed with a full zirconia inlay or onlay, your treatment typically takes place over two appointments. During your first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth, take a digital impression and have your restoration custom-fabricated at a dental laboratory.
Before your treatment begins, your dentist will numb the area with local anaesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment process. Once the area is sufficiently numb, your dentist will begin the treatment.
Any decay will be carefully removed while retaining as much healthy tooth structure as possible. If you have an existing filling or restoration that is damaged, your dentist will remove it and assess the condition of the underlying tooth.
Once the damaged area has been addressed, the tooth is carefully shaped to create a stable foundation for the zirconia inlay or onlay. As an inlay or onlay only replaces the damaged part of the tooth, more healthy tooth structure is retained.
After the tooth has been prepared, a digital intraoral scanner is used to take a 3-D image of the affected tooth, neighbouring teeth and your bite. These impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory, where your full zirconia inlay or onlay is custom-fabricated to fit your tooth.
As your inlay or onlay requires time for fabrication, it will not be fitted during the same appointment. A temporary restoration may be used to fill the space and protect your tooth while you wait for your final inlay or onlay. Your dentist will provide you with the necessary instructions on how to care for the temporary restoration in the meantime.
Approximately one to two weeks later, you will return to the clinic to have your custom restoration fitted.
Your dentist begins by carefully removing the temporary restoration and cleaning the tooth to prepare it for the permanent fixture. Before permanently bonding the zirconia inlay or onlay to your tooth, your dentist checks the fit against the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. They will also ensure that it feels comfortable when you bite. If necessary, adjustments can be made at this point to ensure that the restoration looks and feels as natural as possible.
Once your dentist is satisfied with the fit, the inlay or onlay will be permanently bonded to your tooth using a dental adhesive. Any excess bonding material is removed, and the restoration is carefully finished and polished.
Finally, your dentist checks your bite again and makes any last adjustments. Your zirconia inlay or onlay should feel comfortable and natural when you bite or chew.
After a zirconia inlay or onlay appointment, most patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately. If local anaesthesia was used, it may take a few hours for the numbness to dissipate. During this time, patients are encouraged to avoid eating to prevent any accidental biting of the cheek, lip or tongue.
Some patients may experience mild sensitivity to heat, cold or biting pressure after treatment. This is temporary and improves over time. While it may take some time for you to get used to your bite, if you experience significant discomfort or worsening pain, contact your dentist immediately so that the restoration can be assessed.
With the appropriate dental care, a zirconia inlay or onlay can last for decades. Some important tips include:
While zirconia is an extremely strong and durable material, the natural tooth that sits under the restoration still requires proper care. If your restoration feels loose, is chipped, or you experience persistent pain or sensitivity, it is recommended that you consult your dentist.
A full zirconia inlay or onlay does more than simply repair a damaged tooth. By restoring the weakened areas while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible, it can help support the strength and function of your natural tooth for years to come.
At kohe™ Dental, our holistic dentist takes time to understand your concerns, carefully assess the condition of your tooth and recommend a treatment approach tailored to your individual needs. If you have a large filling, cracked tooth or damaged restoration, book a holistic consultation with our team today to find out whether a full zirconia inlay or onlay may be suitable for you.