“The Teeth are a Gateway to your Well-Being.”
Discover the perfect middle-ground solution for tooth restoration at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics
When you’re facing tooth damage that goes beyond what a simple filling can handle, but doesn’t quite warrant a full crown, you might feel stuck between two imperfect options. This is exactly where dental inlays and onlays shine as the ideal conservative treatment approach. At Central Park Dental & Orthodontics in Mansfield, Texas, Dr. Jiyoung Jung specializes in these precision restorations that preserve more of your natural tooth structure while providing superior durability and aesthetics.
As an award-winning dentist recognized in D Magazine’s Best Dentists (2021-2025) and featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, CW, CBS & TEDx, Dr. Jung understands that every tooth restoration decision should prioritize your long-term oral health while maintaining the natural beauty of your smile. Located at 1101 Alexis Court #101 in Mansfield, we proudly serve patients throughout Arlington, Burleson, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Midlothian, and Alvarado with cutting-edge conservative dental solutions.
Understanding Dental Inlays and Onlays: The Conservative Approach
Dental inlays and onlays represent the evolution of restorative dentistry, bridging the gap between traditional fillings and full crowns. Think of them as custom-fitted puzzle pieces that restore your tooth’s structure and function without removing excessive healthy tooth material.
Inlays are precisely crafted restorations that fit within the cusps (pointed parts) of your tooth, typically replacing the chewing surface between the cusps. They’re perfect for cavities or damage that’s too large for a traditional filling but contained within the tooth’s natural boundaries.
Onlays, sometimes called partial crowns, extend beyond the cusps to cover one or more of them. They’re ideal when damage affects the cusps themselves but doesn’t require the extensive tooth reduction that a full crown demands.
The Conservative Philosophy: Preserving Your Natural Tooth Structure
At Central Park Dental & Orthodontics, Dr. Jung’s conservative approach centers on a fundamental principle: preserve as much healthy, natural tooth structure as possible. This philosophy isn’t just about being minimally invasive—it’s about maintaining the long-term strength and vitality of your teeth.
Traditional crowns require removing approximately 60-75% of the tooth’s structure, including healthy areas, to accommodate the restoration. This extensive reduction can weaken the tooth and potentially compromise its long-term survival. In contrast, inlays and onlays typically require removing only 20-30% of the tooth structure, and primarily target only the damaged or decayed areas.
When you choose inlays and onlays, you’re choosing a treatment that works with your tooth’s natural anatomy rather than dramatically altering it. This conservative approach often results in better long-term outcomes and helps maintain the tooth’s structural integrity for years to come.
Why Dr. Jung Recommends Inlays and Onlays Over Traditional Fillings
While traditional amalgam and composite fillings have served dentistry well, they have significant limitations when dealing with larger areas of decay or damage. Here’s why Dr. Jung often recommends inlays and onlays as superior alternatives:
Superior Durability and Longevity
Traditional large fillings, particularly those that extend to the cusps of molars, can actually weaken the tooth structure over time. The constant pressure from chewing can cause the thin walls of tooth structure around large fillings to fracture. Inlays and onlays, crafted from high-strength materials like porcelain or gold, actually reinforce the remaining tooth structure.
The custom-fit nature of inlays and onlays means they distribute chewing forces more evenly across the tooth, reducing stress concentrations that can lead to fractures. This superior force distribution often translates to better long-term survival rates compared to large traditional fillings.
Precise Fit and Marginal Integrity
Traditional fillings are placed in a soft, moldable state and shaped within the mouth. While modern materials have excellent properties, achieving perfect marginal adaptation (the seal between the filling and tooth) can be challenging, especially in larger restorations.
Inlays and onlays are fabricated outside the mouth using precise impressions or digital scans. This allows for incredibly accurate margins and optimal contact with adjacent teeth. The superior marginal seal reduces the risk of recurrent decay and ensures better long-term success.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Large composite fillings can shrink during curing, potentially creating gaps or affecting the restoration’s appearance over time. They may also discolor or wear differently than the natural tooth structure. Inlays and onlays, particularly those made from porcelain, maintain their appearance and don’t shrink after placement.
Dr. Jung can match the restoration precisely to your natural tooth color, creating a seamless appearance that’s virtually undetectable. The superior stain resistance of porcelain means your restoration will maintain its appearance longer than traditional fillings.
Better Oral Hygiene Maintenance
Large fillings can create irregular surfaces that trap plaque and make cleaning difficult. Properly designed inlays and onlays restore the tooth’s natural contours, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene. The smooth, polished surface of porcelain restorations also resists plaque accumulation better than composite materials.
Why Inlays and Onlays Are Often Better Than Full Crowns
While crowns have been the gold standard for extensively damaged teeth, inlays and onlays offer several advantages when appropriate:
Preservation of Healthy Tooth Structure
This cannot be overstated—inlays and onlays preserve significantly more natural tooth structure than crowns. Every bit of healthy tooth you keep makes your tooth stronger and more resistant to future problems. Once tooth structure is removed for a crown, it’s gone forever.
Less Invasive Procedure
Crown preparation requires extensive reshaping of the entire visible portion of the tooth. Inlay and onlay preparation is much more conservative, often requiring only the removal of damaged areas and minimal healthy tooth structure for proper restoration design.
Reduced Risk of Complications
Because less tooth structure is removed, there’s a lower risk of nerve irritation or the need for root canal treatment. The conservative nature of the preparation also means less post-operative sensitivity and faster healing.
Future Repair Options
Should an inlay or onlay ever need replacement, the conservative preparation means you still have treatment options available. In contrast, once a tooth is crowned, future treatments typically require another crown or more extensive intervention.
Cost Effectiveness
While inlays and onlays may have a higher initial cost than large fillings, they often prove more economical over time due to their superior longevity. They’re also typically less expensive than crowns while providing comparable durability for appropriate cases.
The Central Park Dental Difference: Advanced Technology Meets Conservative Care
At Central Park Dental & Orthodontics, Dr. Jung combines state-of-the-art technology with time-tested conservative principles to deliver exceptional results. Our approach to inlays and onlays incorporates several advanced techniques that set us apart in the Mansfield area:
Digital Precision
We utilize advanced digital impression technology that creates incredibly accurate models of your teeth. This precision translates directly into better-fitting restorations with superior margins and optimal contact points. The digital workflow also means more comfortable appointments for you—no more messy impression materials.
Material Excellence
Dr. Jung carefully selects the most appropriate materials for each case. High-quality porcelain offers excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility, while gold provides unmatched durability for posterior teeth. We discuss the advantages of each material and help you make the best choice for your specific needs and preferences.
Comprehensive Treatment Planning
Before recommending any treatment, Dr. Jung performs a thorough evaluation that goes beyond just looking at the damaged tooth. We consider your overall oral health, bite relationship, aesthetic goals, and long-term dental health objectives. This holistic approach ensures that your inlay or onlay not only addresses the immediate problem but also contributes to your overall oral health.
Patient Education and Involvement
We believe informed patients make better decisions about their dental care. Dr. Jung takes time to explain why an inlay or onlay is the best choice for your situation, using visual aids and models to help you understand the treatment process and expected outcomes.
The Treatment Process: What to Expect
Understanding the treatment process helps alleviate anxiety and ensures you’re prepared for your appointments. Here’s what you can expect when choosing inlays or onlays at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics:
Initial Consultation and Planning
During your first visit, Dr. Jung will perform a comprehensive examination, including digital X-rays if necessary. We’ll discuss your symptoms, examine the damaged tooth, and explain your treatment options. If an inlay or onlay is recommended, we’ll discuss the procedure, timeline, and answer any questions you may have.
First Treatment Appointment
The first appointment involves preparing the tooth and taking impressions. Dr. Jung will ensure you’re completely comfortable using appropriate anesthesia techniques. The damaged or decayed portion of the tooth is carefully removed, and the tooth is shaped to receive the restoration.
We take precise impressions or digital scans of the prepared tooth and surrounding area. These will be used to fabricate your custom restoration. A temporary restoration may be placed to protect the tooth while your permanent restoration is being made.
Laboratory Craftsmanship
Your restoration is crafted by skilled dental technicians using the highest quality materials. This process typically takes 1-2 weeks, during which time your temporary restoration protects the prepared tooth.
Final Placement
During your second appointment, Dr. Jung will remove the temporary restoration and carefully fit your new inlay or onlay. We’ll check the fit, bite, and appearance before permanently bonding the restoration to your tooth using advanced adhesive techniques. Final adjustments ensure optimal comfort and function.
Follow-up Care
We’ll schedule a brief follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing properly and you’re completely satisfied with your restoration. Dr. Jung will provide specific care instructions to help ensure the longevity of your new restoration.
Materials Matter: Choosing the Right Option for Your Needs
The material chosen for your inlay or onlay can significantly impact its performance, appearance, and longevity. Dr. Jung offers several high-quality options:
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
Porcelain is often the preferred choice for visible teeth due to its excellent aesthetic properties. Modern dental porcelain can be matched precisely to your natural tooth color and maintains its appearance over time. Porcelain also has similar thermal expansion properties to natural teeth, reducing stress at the restoration margins.
The strength of modern porcelain makes it suitable for most applications, and its biocompatibility means it’s well-tolerated by the surrounding gum tissue. Porcelain restorations also resist staining better than composite materials.
Gold Inlays and Onlays
While not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain, gold offers unmatched durability and biocompatibility. Gold restorations can last decades with proper care and are particularly well-suited for posterior teeth where function is more important than aesthetics.
Gold has excellent thermal conductivity properties and wears at a similar rate to natural teeth, making it very comfortable to chew on. Many patients are surprised at how natural gold restorations feel once they adjust to them.
Composite Resin Options
For certain cases, high-quality composite resin materials may be appropriate. While not as durable as porcelain or gold, modern composites offer good aesthetics and can be more economical. Dr. Jung will discuss whether composite is appropriate for your specific situation.
When Are Inlays and Onlays the Right Choice?
Inlays and onlays aren’t appropriate for every situation, but they’re ideal for many common dental problems:
Large Cavities
When decay extends beyond what a traditional filling can adequately restore but hasn’t damaged the tooth so extensively that a crown is necessary, inlays and onlays provide the perfect solution.
Cracked or Fractured Teeth
Teeth with cracks or fractures that don’t extend into the root can often be restored with onlays rather than crowns, preserving more natural tooth structure.
Worn Teeth
Teeth worn from grinding or acid erosion can be restored to their proper shape and function using inlays and onlays.
Failed Large Fillings
When large fillings fail or need replacement, inlays and onlays often provide a more durable long-term solution than simply replacing the filling.
Aesthetic Improvements
Old amalgam fillings can be replaced with aesthetic inlays or onlays, improving both the appearance and function of the tooth.
Long-term Success: Caring for Your Inlays and Onlays
With proper care, inlays and onlays can provide many years of excellent service. Here are Dr. Jung’s recommendations for maintaining your restorations:
Daily Oral Hygiene
Continue your regular brushing and flossing routine. Inlays and onlays don’t require any special cleaning techniques—just maintain the same good habits that keep your natural teeth healthy.
Regular Dental Visits
Maintain your regular cleaning and examination schedule at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics. Dr. Jung will monitor your restorations and address any issues before they become problems.
Avoid Excessive Forces
While inlays and onlays are very durable, avoid using your teeth as tools or chewing on extremely hard objects. If you grind your teeth at night, Dr. Jung may recommend a night guard to protect your restorations and natural teeth.
Healthy Diet Choices
A diet low in sugar and acid helps maintain not only your restorations but your overall oral health. If you do consume acidic foods or beverages, rinse with water afterward to neutralize acids.
The Science Behind Conservative Dentistry
Research consistently supports the benefits of conservative dental treatments. Studies show that teeth with inlays and onlays often have better long-term survival rates than teeth with large fillings or even some crowned teeth, particularly when the original tooth structure was extensively preserved.
The biomechanical properties of inlays and onlays more closely match those of natural teeth compared to traditional fillings. This means they flex and respond to chewing forces more like your natural teeth, reducing stress concentrations that can lead to fractures.
Conservative treatments also align with the body’s natural healing processes. By preserving more natural tooth structure, we maintain better blood flow and nerve supply to the tooth, supporting its long-term health and vitality.
Cost Considerations: Investment in Long-term Oral Health
While inlays and onlays typically cost more initially than large fillings, they often prove more economical over time. The superior durability and longevity mean fewer replacements and less time in the dental chair over your lifetime.
Many dental insurance plans recognize inlays and onlays as a standard treatment option and provide coverage similar to other restorative treatments. Our team at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics will work with your insurance to maximize your benefits and can discuss payment options to make treatment affordable.
Consider also the hidden costs of repeated treatment. Large fillings that fail require replacement, and each time a tooth is retreated, more tooth structure may be lost. The superior longevity of inlays and onlays can help you avoid this cycle of repeated treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Jung and Central Park Dental & Orthodontics
Dr. Jung’s recognition as an award-winning dentist in D Magazine’s Best Dentists list reflects her commitment to excellence and advanced training in conservative dental techniques. Her philosophy of preserving natural tooth structure while providing superior aesthetic and functional results sets Central Park Dental & Orthodontics apart from other practices in the Mansfield area.
Our practice combines the latest technology with time-tested conservative principles. We take time to educate our patients about their treatment options and work with them to develop personalized treatment plans that address both immediate needs and long-term oral health goals.
The convenience of our location at 1101 Alexis Court #101 in Mansfield makes us easily accessible to patients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Arlington, Burleson, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Midlothian, and Alvarado.
Advanced Techniques for Superior Results
Dr. Jung stays current with the latest advances in restorative dentistry through continuing education and professional development. This commitment to lifelong learning ensures that patients at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics receive the most advanced and effective treatments available.
Our use of digital technology streamlines the treatment process and improves accuracy. Digital impressions are more comfortable for patients and provide more accurate models for restoration fabrication. This technology also allows us to show you exactly what your finished restoration will look like before treatment begins.
We maintain relationships with top-quality dental laboratories that share our commitment to excellence. This ensures that every restoration meets our exacting standards for fit, function, and aesthetics.
Patient Testimonials and Success Stories
While every patient’s situation is unique, the consistent feedback we receive about inlays and onlays is overwhelmingly positive. Patients frequently comment on how natural their restorations feel and look, and many are surprised at how comfortable the treatment process was.
The conservative nature of inlay and onlay treatment often results in less post-operative sensitivity compared to crown preparation. Patients typically return to normal function quickly and are very satisfied with the long-term results.
Environmental and Health Considerations
Inlays and onlays align with growing environmental awareness in dentistry. By preserving natural tooth structure and providing longer-lasting restorations, we reduce the need for repeated treatments and the associated material waste.
The biocompatible materials used in high-quality inlays and onlays are well-tolerated by the body and don’t release potentially harmful substances like some older dental materials might.
The Future of Conservative Dentistry
As dental technology continues to advance, the trend toward conservative treatment will likely continue. New materials and techniques are constantly being developed that allow dentists to preserve even more natural tooth structure while providing superior results.
Dr. Jung stays at the forefront of these developments, ensuring that patients at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics benefit from the latest advances in conservative restorative dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental inlays and onlays last? With proper care and maintenance, high-quality inlays and onlays can provide excellent service for many years. The longevity depends on factors such as the material chosen, your oral hygiene, diet, and any habits like teeth grinding. Dr. Jung will discuss expected longevity based on your specific situation during your consultation.
Are inlays and onlays painful to get? The procedure is performed using local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Some mild sensitivity following treatment is normal and typically resolves within a few days. Dr. Jung will provide specific post-treatment care instructions to minimize any discomfort.
How do I know if I need an inlay/onlay versus a filling or crown? This decision depends on the extent of damage to your tooth. Dr. Jung will perform a thorough examination, possibly including X-rays, to determine the best treatment option. Factors considered include the amount of remaining healthy tooth structure, the location and extent of damage, and your aesthetic goals.
Can inlays and onlays be repaired if they get damaged? Minor damage to porcelain inlays and onlays can sometimes be repaired, though replacement may be necessary for significant damage. The conservative nature of the original preparation often means that replacement options remain available. Dr. Jung will evaluate any damage and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
Do inlays and onlays look natural? Modern porcelain inlays and onlays can be matched precisely to your natural tooth color and translucency. When properly made and placed, they’re virtually undetectable. Dr. Jung takes great care in shade matching and works with skilled technicians to ensure optimal aesthetics.
Will my insurance cover inlays and onlays? Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for inlays and onlays as a standard restorative treatment. Coverage varies by plan, so our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your costs before treatment begins.
How do I care for my inlays and onlays? Inlays and onlays require no special care beyond good oral hygiene. Continue brushing twice daily, floss regularly, and maintain your regular dental checkups. Avoid using your teeth as tools and consider a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Can inlays and onlays be whitened? Dental restorations don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments. If you’re considering whitening your teeth, it’s best to do so before getting your restoration so Dr. Jung can match the color to your desired shade. Existing restorations would need to be replaced to match newly whitened teeth.
What’s the difference between inlays, onlays, and crowns? Inlays fit within the cusps of your tooth, onlays extend over one or more cusps, and crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth. The choice depends on the extent of damage and how much tooth structure needs to be restored. Dr. Jung will recommend the most conservative option that adequately addresses your needs.
Are there any foods I should avoid with inlays and onlays? While inlays and onlays are quite durable, it’s wise to avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or using your teeth to open packages. These habits can damage both natural teeth and restorations. Otherwise, you can enjoy a normal diet.
Take the Next Step Toward Healthier Teeth
If you’re dealing with tooth damage that requires more than a filling but you want to avoid the extensive tooth reduction required for a crown, inlays and onlays may be the perfect solution. Dr. Jung’s conservative approach and expertise in advanced restorative techniques can help you maintain your natural tooth structure while achieving excellent function and aesthetics.
Don’t let damaged teeth compromise your oral health or confidence. The longer you wait to address dental problems, the more extensive treatment may become. Early intervention with conservative treatments like inlays and onlays can help you avoid more complex procedures down the road.
Contact Central Park Dental & Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Jung. Call (817) 466-1200 or schedule your appointment online. Located conveniently at 1101 Alexis Court #101 in Mansfield, Texas, we proudly serve patients throughout Arlington, Burleson, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Midlothian, and Alvarado.
Experience the difference that award-winning, conservative dental care can make for your smile and oral health. Your teeth deserve the best possible treatment, and inlays and onlays represent the perfect balance between conservative care and superior results.
“The Teeth are a Gateway to your Well-Being.” – Dr. Jiyoung Jung
Dr. Jiyoung Jung and the team at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics are dedicated to providing exceptional dental care using the most conservative and effective treatment approaches. As a featured dentist recognized for excellence and innovation, Dr. Jung combines advanced technology with personalized care to help patients achieve optimal oral health and beautiful smiles.
