Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are both used to fill a cavity and reverse damage caused by injury or decay.

They are often used when a normal filling is deemed inappropriate due to the degree of damage caused to the tooth however when a crown is deemed too destructive for that particular tooth.

What are Inlays and Onlays?

Often confused with fillings, inlays and onlays are a restorative treatment, with onlays being used to provide stronger re-enforcement in cases where inlays are not robust enough. An inlay repairs the large chewing surface of a back tooth and will treat bigger cavities when a filling isn’t sufficient. Onlays are a more substantial version of an inlay and repair the tooth where the damage extends to the corners of the tooth. Both options are considered to be less invasive than crowns and preserve more natural tooth tissue.
Inlays and onlays can be fabricated in resin, gold or ceramic materials.

What is involved with treatment?

Following preparation of the tooth (using local anaesthetic if required), your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send it to the dental lab, where your inlay or onlay will be created. A temporary restoration will then be placed. The inlays/onlays are custom made to be the exact size of the empty space being filled – an ideal match for your tooth. Once your permanent inlay or onlay has arrived at the practice, we can invite you back to have it placed. The restoration is then cemented with a specific dental adhesive to ensure a good seal is achieved.

What are the benefits of treatment with Inlays and Onlays?

• Inlays and onlays repair teeth and protect them from further damage. Both are a viable options when a cavity is too substantial for a filling.
• They’re more resistant to cracking than traditional fillings.
• Straightforward treatment performed over two short visits.