Inlays and Onlays

Replacement crowns are one of the most important means of restoring damaged teeth available at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood office. But reshaping a tooth is an intensive process and not always necessary for lesser damage. When the surface areas of the back teeth have been damaged, Dr. Bradley can repair them much more simply with a partial crown.

Molars and premolars have wide grinding surfaces made up of points, called cusps, separated by indentations. The indentations are a trap for food debris and acid, which makes them vulnerable to decay. Sealants can be used to plug an indentation, but a permanent partial crown, called an inlay, can also be used to cover them. An onlay is a larger partial crown which also replaces at least one of the cusps.

When preparing a patient for a partial crown, Dr. Bradley will drill away the decayed area and take an impression of the patient’s mouth. The impression will then be sent to a dental lab where the restoration is milled from porcelain that matches the patient’s tooth color. The patient will wear a temporary artificial crown in the meantime. When the restoration is ready, it can be cemented in at a follow-up appointment. The whole process is very easy on the patient and massively improves their comfort and bite function.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.