Inlay & Onlays

What Are Inlays And Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are often confused with dental fillings and crowns. They have the same basic purpose – they are used to restore a tooth with decay. The difference among these three is when they are best used on your decayed teeth.

Inlays and onlays are recommended when the damage is too large for a dental filling to fix, but isn’t damaged enough to require a dental crown.

Another significant difference is the application. While dental fillings are directly moulded unto the target tooth during your appointment, inlays and onlays are first fabricated in the laboratory before being fitted to the tooth.

Is There a Difference Between Inlays And Onlays?

The difference between inlays and onlays is in the extent of the damage they fix.

Inlays are used to fill the space in between the cusps or at the centre of the damaged tooth.

Onlays cover one or more cusps or the entire biting surface of the tooth. They are also used when the damage is greater.

Benefits Of Inlays And Onlays

Inlays and onlays offer the following benefits:

• Minimal removal of tooth enamel
• Do not expand and move around unlike dental fillings do when exposed to thermal changes
• Last longer than dental fillings
• More resistant to stains (from coffee, wine, soda, etc.) compared to other dental restorations