Dental inlays and dental onlays are used to repair rear teeth that have mild to moderate tooth decay. They are also used for cracked teeth where the damage does not warrant a dental crown.
They are usually created with porcelain, composite resin, and sometimes gold.
Dental inlays refer to procedures where the bonded material is limited to the center of the tooth. On the other hand, dental onlays refers to procedures where the bonded material can be further extended to one or more cusps of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays have a natural tooth color which makes them virtually invisible compared to metal fillings.
Inlays and onlays may usually last up to thirty years. This is longer than any other type of filling.
Inlays and onlays will not expand or contract based on temperature. They stay true to its form as set up after the initial procedure.
Inlays and onlays require the minimal removal of a tooth’s surface, helping to preserve the maximum amount of healthy tooth structure while restoring decayed or damaged areas.