In restorative dentistry, it is crucial to match the treatment to the specific level of tooth damage. Sometimes, a tooth has suffered too much decay for a standard composite filling to fix it securely. However, the tooth might still have enough healthy structure left that grinding it down for a full dental crown feels too aggressive.
In these “middle ground” scenarios, dental inlays and onlays are the perfect, conservative solution.
Understanding the Difference: Inlay vs. Onlay
Both inlays and onlays are custom-crafted in a dental laboratory (usually from highly durable porcelain or composite resin) and then permanently bonded to your tooth. They fit into your damaged tooth like a perfectly shaped puzzle piece.
- Dental Inlays: An inlay is used when the damage is confined to the center of the tooth. It rests comfortably inside the outer cusps (the raised bumps on the chewing surface of your molars).
- Dental Onlays: An onlay is used when the damage is more extensive. It covers the center of the tooth but also extends over one or more of the outer cusps. Because of this, onlays are frequently referred to as “partial crowns.”
Why Choose an Inlay or Onlay?
The biggest advantage of this treatment at Novo Dental Clinic is the preservation of your natural smile. Because they are custom-molded to fit the exact contours of the cavity, we do not have to remove healthy enamel to place them. Furthermore, because they are made from solid blocks of porcelain, they provide incredible structural strength to a weakened tooth and seal out bacteria far better than a massive traditional filling.
If you have a large cavity or a fractured molar, visit our clinic near Lem Hotel to see if a conservative inlay or onlay is right for you.