Inlay Restorations
An inlay is a custom made filling made of white composite material, gold, or tooth-coloured porcelain. It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
Inlays can be used to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. They are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. They are also more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed.
As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years.
Reasons for inlay restorations:
- Broken or fractured tooth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
Onlay Restorations
An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of white composite material, gold, or tooth-coloured porcelain. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown and sits on top of the tooth like a hat. It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.
Onlays can be used to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps or points have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration.
As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will often last for many years.
Reasons for onlay restorations:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
