Inlays and Onlays are dental restorations that fill cavities and replace missing tooth structure. They are alternatives to direct restoration of cavities.
Inlays:
- Used in mild to moderately broken teeth/cavities.
- Placed inside the tooth/cavities.
- Made from gold, ceramic, porcelain, or tooth-colored dental composite.
Onlays:
- Replace one or more cusps (tips) on the chewing surface.
- Placed over the tooth.
- Made from gold or tooth-colored material.
Inlays, Onlays, or Dental Crowns are considered over conventional direct restoration when the cavity size is big, remaining tooth structure is not able to support the restoration, or the tooth is severely broken with lost occlusal anatomy, etc.