How are inlays and onlays different from crowns?
When a tooth needs more structural support than a filling can provide the treatment options include an inlay, onlay or a crown. Inlays and onlays strengthen and protect the tooth just like a crown. The main difference is that inlays and onlays require removal of only the damaged and decayed areas of the tooth while crowns often require removal of additional healthy tooth structure. The bottom line—inlays and onlays are the most conservative and healthy option when a tooth needs more structural support than a filling can provide. They are our treatment of choice when this situation arises. We only suggest crowns when decay or trauma extensively damages a tooth such that inlays or onlays are technically impossible.
