Dental Inlays & Onlays

What are Dental Inlays & Onlays?

A dental Inlay is used to address larger cavities. It is a filling that fits into the pits and fissures of a tooth's chewing surface. It doesn't cover any of the tooth's cusps. A dental Onlay also known as a partial crown is more extensive than an inlay and covers a larger area of your tooth's cusps. They both involve removing the existing cavity with a drill and filling the empty space, but how that space is filled is where they primarily differ.

In a filling, an amalgam or composite material is used to fill the space usually done on a single visit. With an inlay, the space is filled with a single, solid piece of ceramic or gold material fabricated in a lab. The inlay is made precisely to the shape and size of the tooth's empty space, to prevent food and bacteria from entering the area. The advantage of an inlay is that they do not contract to the same degree as a filling, so there is less chance of the restoration failing. Inlays create a more rigid and durable surface for use when chewing.

While dental Onlays cover the tooth's cusp, a crown will cover the entire biting surface of the tooth and the tooth structure above the gum line. Compared to a crown, an Onlay is a less aggressive restoration as less tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place the Onlay. The costs are similar, but an Onlay is a little cheaper than a crown. Dr. Bellam and the team will determine the appropriate Inlay, Onlay or Crown cavity restoration treatment to ensure the restoration of your teeth with a minimally invasive and cost-effective procedure.

Why do you need dental Inlays & Onlays?

The dental Inlays and Onlays are used to repair or restore teeth. Dr. Bellam and the team may recommend an indirect filling if your tooth is too damaged or decayed for a regular filling but hasn't weakened to the point that it needs a crown.

1. Typically, we recommend Inlays & Onlays when there isn't enough tooth structure to support a regular cavity filling.
2. We recommend Onlays when the cusp of a tooth is cracked. The teeth break for many reasons, biting hard stuff or injuries.
3. A tooth may wear out due to excessive clenching or grinding. Over time, the teeth may get shorter, causing difficulty in chewing. Dr. Bellam and the team may recommend this treatment to restore the tooth function.