Inlays & Onlays
Indirect dental restorations like inlays and onlays are commonly used to repair teeth that have been damaged or decayed.
While they share similarities, there are also some key differences between the two:
Inlays and onlays are effective means of restoring damaged or decayed teeth. However, they are used in different circumstances and need different preparation techniques. Your dentist can help you decide which option is suitable for your individual needs.
- Location: Inlays are utilized to fix issues within the cusps of a tooth, while onlays are used to repair damage or decay that extends beyond the cusps and may cover one or more cusps of the tooth.
- Preparation: Inlays and onlays are both custom-made in a dental laboratory, but inlays need less removal of tooth structure than onlays since they only cover the damaged area within the cusps. On the other hand, onlays require more removal of tooth structure to allow for the larger restoration to be placed.
- Size: Inlays are usually smaller compared to onlays as they cover only the damaged area within the cusps, while onlays are larger and can cover one or more cusps and may extend onto the tooth’s surface.
- Materials: Both inlays and onlays can be crafted from various materials like porcelain, gold, or composite resin. The selection of material is typically based on the specific requirements of the patient and the location of the restoration.
Inlays and onlays are effective means of restoring damaged or decayed teeth. However, they are used in different circumstances and need different preparation techniques. Your dentist can help you decide which option is suitable for your individual needs.