Inlays

Concept & Purpose

Inlays and onlays offer a middle-ground between simple fillings and full crowns. When damage doesn’t justify a crown but exceeds what a filling can reliably restore, these indirect restorations restore form, strength, and longevity.

Planning & Fabrication

Following cavity removal and tooth preparation, we take impressions or digital scans. The inlay/onlay is meticulously crafted—sometimes in our in-house milling unit, or by an external lab—for perfect fit and occlusion. They are then bonded to your tooth surface.

Types & Indications

• Inlays: Fit within the cusps (interior portion) of the tooth

• Onlays: Extend over one or more cusps when more coverage is needed

They’re ideal when you have moderate decay or damage, but intact tooth cusps.

Patient Experience

Since the restoration is made off-site, you may wear a temporary in the meantime. At the bonding appointment, we carefully seat, adjust, and bond the restoration in place. Local anesthesia ensures comfort, and after placement, the restoration feels natural in your bite.

Benefits Over Crowns

Inlays and onlays preserve more healthy tooth structure. They are less invasive than crowns, yet stronger and more refined than large fillings. They distribute chewing forces effectively and reduce the risk of fracture.

Care & Durability

With proper hygiene and avoiding extreme forces, inlays and onlays often last many years—sometimes over a decade. They combine the strength of indirect restorations with minimal tooth alteration.

Who Should Choose Them?

If your tooth damage or decay is moderate and does not require a full crown, inlays or onlays are excellent choices. We evaluate cavity depth, remaining tooth structure, and bite dynamics to recommend the optimal option.