Inlays & Onlays

What are Dental Inlays and Onlays?

Dental inlays and onlays are intermediate restorative treatments that serve as a middle ground between fillings and crowns. They are used in situations where a regular filling is insufficient to repair a tooth, but a full crown is more than what's needed.

The key difference between these two types of restorations lies in the extent of tooth coverage they provide:

• Dental Inlays: An inlay is designed to fit within the confines of the prepared cavity of a tooth. It's an ideal option when the decay or damage is within the cusps (the raised points) of the tooth's biting surface.

• Dental Onlays: On the other hand, an onlay extends beyond the simple cavity filling, covering one or more cusps or the entire biting surface of the tooth. This makes onlays suitable for more extensive restoration when the damage or decay is more widespread.

Both inlays and onlays offer a natural-looking and effective solution to restore the functionality of a tooth. They are custom-made in a dental lab to precisely match the shape and color of your natural tooth. Typically made from durable materials like porcelain or composite resin, inlays and onlays are bonded to the tooth using a special adhesive, ensuring a strong and long-lasting repair. This approach not only restores the integrity of the tooth but also preserves more of the natural tooth structure compared to a full crown.