Inlays and Onlays

Inlays are used when a filling might be used or has been used. Like fillings, inlays repair a hole or cavity in a tooth but can be used on teeth with a much larger surface area, such as those at the back of the mouth. They are also often used to replace a larger filling that may have failed.

Onlays work similarly to crowns. They are designed to sit over the top of the tooth and repair any damage to the ‘cusp’—the part of the tooth that is raised and most visible.

Unlike a crown, onlays are bonded to the tooth, so less of the natural tooth must be removed during treatment while also strengthening and protecting the tooth from further damage.

Applying both inlays and onlays usually requires two appointments, as the restorations themselves are done off-site at a dental laboratory.