What are inlays and onlays and how do I benefit from them?
When a tooth needs more structural support than a filling can provide, the treatment options include an inlay, onlay or a crown. Crowns (or “caps”) cover the entire tooth, while inlays and onlays cover only a portion of the tooth. Today, crowns, inlays, and onlays can be made of all ceramic (porcelain) materials and be bonded to the tooth, restoring the tooth to its natural strength and looks. The inlays and onlays strengthen and protect the tooth like a crown, but require the removal of only the damaged and decayed areas of the tooth, while crowns often require removal of additional healthy tooth structure. Inlays and onlays are the most conservative and healthy option when a tooth needs more structural support than a filling can provide and they are our treatment of choice when this situation arises. We only suggest crowns when decay or trauma damages a tooth so extensively that inlays or onlays are unreasonable. Not all offices offer their patients these options, which is one of the
