What Are Inlays And Onlays?

Essentially, when talking all things cosmetic dentistry, dental inlays and onlays are a type of filling than can be used to address cavities and other damage. Perhaps to restore decayed, damaged, cracked or fractured teeth. Or, if the damage to the tooth is too much for a dental filling to rectify but not severe enough to warrant a dental crown.

An onlay is used to cover the cusp of a tooth, whereas an onlay fill the gaps between the cusps.

Strengthen Your Smile!

Inlays and onlays are quite beneficial as they allow more of the patient’s tooth to be saved. Metal fillings can reduce the overall strength of teeth by 50%, whereas inlays and onlays can actually strengthen the teeth by up to 75%. Plus, they can prolong tooth life, thus lessening the need for dental treatment in the future.

Made from hard-wearing substrates, which can last up to 30 years, makes an inlay or onlay much longer-lasting than an amalgam filling. Inlays sit inside a cusp (in a way in which a filling might) that touches the chewing surface of the tooth. Inlays and onlays differ from the usual standard filling are they are created in a laboratory before being bonded to a tooth.