Inlays and onlays work in different ways, but both offer a more conservative alternative to a crown as a way to help repair and restore a tooth that has been damaged through decay or injury.
We often use inlays to restore teeth at the back of the mouth. These teeth have a much larger surface area and are used for chewing. Designed to work in a similar way to a filling, inlays can be used to fill a hole or cavity in the tooth that has been created due to decay or injury.
Onlays can be used to repair the cusp of the tooth – that is, the part of the tooth that is most visible. They are often used in a similar way to a crown, but present a more minimally invasive option, as less of the natural, healthy tooth has to be removed in order to apply them. As with crowns, an onlay is made for the patient in an off-site dental laboratory, which we’ll then fit for you here at Cathedral Dental.
