Inlays and Onlays

We usually treat cavities with fillings. However, in some cases, a hole may be too large to repair with a traditional filling. The decay may not have damaged your tooth enough to justify a full crown. In these cases, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay instead.

What is an inlay?

An inlay is a prefabricated alternative to a filling. Although we still use an inlay to fill a cavity, it consists of a moulded insert that fits into the hole, rather than a filling material, which we apply directly to the cavity before shaping and polishing it.

We can use inlays when the damage does not extend over the corners or “cusps” of the tooth. The process of producing an inlay involves numbing the area and removing the decayed tissue with a small drill, similar to a traditional filling.

Here at Acorn Dental Care, we can use CEREC® technology to produce your inlay on-site while you wait, allowing us to complete your fitting in one appointment.

What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?

For more extensive damage that extends over the cusps of the tooth, we make onlays using the same procedure as inlays.

Both options provide a functional and aesthetic solution that helps to maintain the integrity of the remaining tooth structure.

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