Inlays & Onlays

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Inlays/Onlays

What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used to fix damaged teeth. They are a middle option between simple treatments like fillings and stronger treatments like crowns. The choice to use an inlay or an onlay depends on where and how bad the tooth damage is. Inlays fix damage inside the tooth, while onlays restore damage on the tooth’s surface. Dental inlays and onlays help dentists restore badly damaged teeth without needing a full crown. These treatments are custom-made to fill in parts of a tooth that have been hurt, worn, or decayed. Inlays and onlays work for teeth used for biting, like molars and premolars. They make a damaged tooth last longer, letting patients use the tooth for eating and talking.

Dental Inlays

Dental inlays are usually made from ceramic, porcelain, or resin composite. They are made to fit just right into a tooth hole caused by damage or decay. Inlays are strong and better than fillings for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. They can be made to match your tooth color, making them a hidden way to treat bigger dental problems.

Dental Onlays

Onlays are used to fix teeth with damaged or decayed cusps. When a filling isn’t strong enough to stop the tooth from breaking, onlays can help. They used to be made only from metal, but now they can be made from porcelain or resin composite materials. Onlays are bigger than inlays. The biggest onlays look like short dental crowns, covering the four pointy parts of the tooth but not the sides.

What Do Inlays & Onlays Treat?

Dentists use inlays and onlays for addressing tooth decay, deterioration, or erosion that surpasses the scope of a simple filling, yet does not necessitate a crown.

Inlays are commonly used for treating large cavities situated between the cusps of a tooth. On the other hand, onlays not only tackle decay but serve additional purposes as well. They are frequently employed to mend teeth with cusps damaged by excessive wear or acid erosion. Both inlays and onlays are beneficial in restoring a tooth’s shape and impeding further harm.

Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns: Understanding The Differences

The main difference between an inlay and an onlay lies in the location of the restoration. An inlay is positioned in the tooth’s center, replacing the pits and fissures that were once there. In contrast, an onlay encompasses at least one tooth cusp and may also cover pits and fissures in some instances.

Dental crowns, however, envelop the whole tooth, including the complete biting surface and all sides. They offer comprehensive coverage and can even alter a tooth’s shape when necessary.

Nonetheless, placing crowns necessitates the removal of a substantial amount of tooth structure. Inlays and onlays present more conservative treatment alternatives, delivering similar advantages to crowns while enabling patients to preserve a greater portion of their natural tooth.

3 Reasons You Might Need Inlays & Onlays

Large Cavities
Fractured or Cracked Teeth
Damaged Tooth Cusps

3 Reasons You Might Need Inlays & Onlays

Large Cavities
Fractured or Cracked Teeth
Damaged Tooth Cusps

How can we help you?

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW ARE INLAYS AND ONLAYS PLACED?

The procedure for placing inlays and onlays typically involves two appointments. During the first visit, the dentist removes the decay or damaged tooth structure and takes an impression of the tooth. A dental laboratory then fabricates the custom inlay or onlay. At the second appointment, the dentist checks the fit of the restoration and bonds it to the tooth using dental cement.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INLAYS AND ONLAYS?

Inlays and onlays differ mainly in terms of their location. Inlays are responsible for covering a tooth’s pits and fissures, while onlays extend to include one or more cusps.

WILL I FEEL PAIN?

Majority of patients do not experience discomfort during the treatment.