Dental Inlays and Onlays

Teeth that have come to be decayed or compromised may benefit from dental onlays and inlays. This restorative treatment option is a more conservative alternative to traditional dental crowns. An inlay replaces tooth structure inside the cusp tips of molars, while more considerable tooth damage may be managed and remedied with onlays which encompass the entire chewing area of the tooth.

While crowns require a large, outer portion of the compromised tooth be removed, inlays and onlays merely require that the decayed section of the tooth be removed. Once that task has been achieved, a mold of the tooth is produced so the inlay or onlay can be developed to fit the existing tooth structure exactly. Porcelain or a composite material is utilized to develop the inlay or onlay. When available, the inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth, providing a new chewing area and more significant support for the tooth structure.