What Are Inlays & Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are used to treat moderate tooth decay, restoring your smile in a way that’s less intensive than a crown but sturdier than a filling. Inlays are smaller and applied to the middle of a tooth, while onlays wrap around the tooth and are used when decay is a bit more advanced. Inlays and onlays are mostly made of porcelain resin, reinvigorating your smile with a natural color that’s nearly indistinguishable from your organic teeth.
If inlays and onlays sound similar to fillings and crowns it’s because, in a lot of ways, they are. But some important differences exist. Inlays are bonded to your tooth unlike a filling and will provide more support and last longer than traditional fillings. Onlays cover only the deteriorating portion of a tooth, unlike a crown that covers the entire tooth.